Borough Launches ‘The Rumor Mill’ to Provide Answers

State College Borough has launched a new forum for anyone to ask staff and elected officials questions about what’s happening in the borough, or what they heard might be happening.

‘The Rumor Mill,’ is an online platform to have a conversation and get a direct response to questions from staff.

‘The Rumor Mill’s inspiration is to increase one’s access to their local government through an online digital platform,’ Douglas Shontz, borough communications specialist, said. ‘The Rumor Mill is an open forum where anyone can come and post something they might have heard from their neighbors or during a meeting. They will then receive an official response from borough staff. This service is open to visitors, students, residents, and anyone wanting to learn more about the Borough of State College and engage with staff.’

The forum is hosted through the Engage State College portal and Shontz said it is another way for the borough to be transparent and accountable for its work.

He added that anyone can also pose questions by calling, emailing, Tweeting to the borough’s Twitter account, sending a Facebook message, or stopping in to offices in the Municipal Building at 243 S. Allen St.

‘What’s unique and exciting about The Rumor Mill is that this channel helps create an open dialogue with the user, we are seeking to create a two-way conversation,’ Shontz said. ‘That two-way conversation leads to an increase in public trust in their community government.’

Shontz and staff from the Office of Community Engagement will monitor the platform, but other staff and elected officials will be involved as well in providing answers.

The site emphasizes that it is not monitored 24/7 and should not be used for emergency or immediate requests.