I love e-sound off. No, I mean it

By By Leada Gore, Editor
I love e-sound off. I tell myself this about three times a day, when I sort through mountain of submissions.
I love e-sound off. I tell myself this when I hear someone say they wish we would stop that “internet thing.”
I love e-sound off. I tell myself this when a person calls to tell me, despite their name not being anywhere in a post, they are sure someone is talking about them.
When e-sound off started, I envisoned it as a place where people could ask questions and get answers. Never in my wildest dreams did I know it would take off like it did. I get more comments and questions about our website sound off board than anything else, something that amazes me at times.
And while it has branched off into realms I never thought possible and while people’s negativity drives me crazy, too, I’m still a strong believer in e-sound off.
Like it or not, there are times when it is a billboard for the consciousness of the community. There are issues and events that no one would know about if they weren’t posted on e-sound off. We at the newspaper have been tipped off to several stories because people posted their concerns or questions.
And, just to clear up some common misconceptions, let me offer the following:
A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Alabama Press Association’s awards ceremony, where the Enquirer was among the top award winners in the Public Service category for its e-sound off project. After I accepted our award, several people asked me to explain what it was and how I thought it helped the community.
I just smiled.
I did offer them some advice, however.