Every week we ask our readers to vote on our website at www.coastreporter.net on a question of the week. It almost always pertains to a story or issue affecting the Sunshine Coast.
In last week's edition, we asked readers their opinion on the proposed Mission Hill project, the latest venture of Pan Pacific Aggregates (PPA). The responses flooded in. Not too surprising, as anything to do with PPA is sure to garner a lot of attention from our community.
What was puzzling, though, was the number of responses in favour - more than 84 per cent - which sent red flags waving among many in our community and for us. After some investigation, Save Our Sunshine Coast uncovered an investor blogsite based in London, England where commenters had taken it upon themselves to hijack the poll. We have proof that someone compromised our poll - these folks were voting multiple times in favour, some up to seven votes at a time.
But it gets even better. These shareholders were foolish enough to blog about it, offering snide and insulting remarks about our community and bragging that they were the ones influencing the vote.
Here is just a sampling of a few of them: "Wait till they twig the voters are mainly a bunch of greedy PIs in the U.K. a billion miles away" and "Although granted it may take a bit longer and may cost a bit more, so as a shareholder, roll on ugly trucks and destructive mining ASAP."
This one is particularly classic: "I'm considering applying for an internship at the Coast Reporter I'm bound to last a day plenty of time to make some positive impact. Not sure if the Coast Reporter has the same clout as Fox News or CNN though war time like propaganda now that's an idea. Just imagine the possibilities are endless PPA can mine the shit out of Sunshine Coast."
Talk about a complete lack of respect for the residents of the Coast. It's fine to disagree with our coverage by writing a letter to the editor regarding our opinion of the project. That we welcome opinions is evident by the many differing opinions we present every week on our letters page. But to hijack a poll, then brag about it on-line shows how little this company's supporters seem to think about the Sunshine Coast.
It's pretty clear the investors couldn't care less about this community. All they want to do is come in, clear the land, take out the aggregate and make a quick buck. If they destroy the environment in the process, who cares? Don't do it, don't get caught and don't brag about it - three rules that were not followed by these bloggers. They were caught red-handed and the community will not forget this indiscretion. If PPA thought it had a hard time in the community before, it's in for a bigger battle now.
