Trick or Treat – It’s the Social Media at the Door

“I think the stunt you pulled by printing what you did was offensive, judgemental, and ill willed. You should not be proud of printing something as cruel and disgusting as the column you printed. You should be ashamed! I hope your Halloween is as crappy as your column.’’ Sarah Penner

“I totally agree with this week’s editorial in the Times!!! Halloween isn’t for teenagers to get candy and cause trouble. They should stay home. Elementary and younger are the ones who should be out with their parents.’’ Cindy Gallagher

Those are just a sample of some of the online responses appearing in the past few days in Waterville, N.Y. They were aimed at a recent editorial in community weekly newspaper, the Waterville Times. The paper’s editor and publisher, Pat Louise had reminded readers in her editorial that Halloween is for children, and that good manners are expected. But her suggestion that trick-or-treaters and their parents behave politely and not be greedy turned into a social media bashing of both the paper and Louise.