Online forum gives Clare people a voice

AN online forum has been launched to give Clare people who want to make constructive proposals to revitalise urban and rural communities throughout the county a voice.

Bannerspeaks.com is a new social site, which provides people with a platform to put forward proposals and ideas on how they would like the county to develop over the next decade.
Even though contributors can remain anonymous, they have to register and the forum will be monitored to ensure it is being used properly.
Ennis resident, Ian Smulders, who is one of the forum promoters, insists it is not a social network site and will not be used simply to criticise public representatives or make personal attacks on individuals.
Instead, he wants people from the four corners of the county to interact with ideas, propositions and changes they would like to see happening. He believes it is the first of its kind in the country.
“It is not a place for shouting matches, personal vendettas, insulting others and so on. That is why it is a moderated forum. As long as we stay positive, polite and constructive, anything goes.
“People who have an idea can expand on it in an article. This is a chance for everyone to speak their mind and discuss things with everybody on an equal level.
“If everyone works together we will make a difference and get this county and this country back on track. Community has to come first in an economy and not vice versa. An economy should be there to serve the community.
“A lot of Clare people who have unfortunately lost their jobs have time on their hands and we hope to try and put this to good use. If this initiative gets the support it deserves, it could be a model for other counties to follow,” he said.
Contributors are also invited to send photographs, which will be considered for photograph of the week by an expert panel, submit a comment or sign up as a blogger.
The Bannerspeaks.com jobs board provides a free service to Clare-based employers to advertise vacancies they have. Details should include the job title, category, short description, expected education level of the candidates, duration, such as full-time, part-time, contract or permanent and employer contact details.
However, the forum doesn’t act as a recruiting agency and only facilitates a means of communication between potential employers and employees. Employers are asked to notify Bannerspeaks.com when a job offer has been filled.