Communications Services Usage Policy
Purpose of Communications Services
Comment Policy
Photo & Video Submission Policy
Termination
General Policy
At Stearns County, we believe strongly in the principles of transparency, citizen participation and collaboration in providing local government services. To highlight our commitment to open, collaborative government, Stearns County has implemented several web based communications services.
The County’s public website contains blogs, public comments & ratings, photo/video sharing and County accounts on popular Social Media websites; together all of these features are collectively known as "Communication Services". These Communications Services do not to replace the channels currently in place for constituent communication. Rather, they enhance our ability to reach a broader and more diverse audience, and to provide constituents with additional communications options.
Stearns County’s website ( www.co.stearns.mn.us ) will remain the County’s primary and predominant internet presence. Wherever possible, content posted to the County’s third party Social Media accounts will also be available on the County’s public website.
To report technical problems or abuse of this policy, send an email to the Stearns County Web Team.
Purpose of Communications Services
The purpose and use of the County’s Communications Services fall generally into the following categories:
- As communications channels to encourage citizen’s participation in Stearns County government and interactive dialogue within the community.
- As communications channels which increase the County’s ability to broadcast its messages to the widest possible audience.
- As communications channels for disseminating time-sensitive information as quickly as possible (example: emergency information).
The following Communications Services are currently available for public usage on Stearns County’s website:
Comments & Ratings - is the ability for the public to comment on specific website content and/or rate specific website content, such as a page or article. Comments & Ratings are available on the following website pages:
- Government - County Government 101
- Environmental – Permit Information Map
- Property & Roads - Homestead
- Law & Public Safety – Jail Frequently Asked Questions
- Recreation – County Parks
Ratings only are available on several pages and online services throughout the website.
County Blogs - is the County’s official blog site. County Blogs includes the following blogs:
- Blogging in the Parks – is authored by the Stearns County Parks Department and focuses on topics relevant to Parks’ activities and upcoming events. The purpose of this blog is to inform the public of interesting current events in the Stearns County Parks system, and of current conditions in the parks (i.e. Ski Patrol, falling leaves, trail conditions, closings, grand openings, etc.)
- Simple Things You Can Do to Save Planet Earth – is authored by the Stearns County Tri-County Solid Waste (TCSW) Department and focuses on topics relevant to the TCSW Department’s programs and services. The purpose of this blog is to help residents learn about recycling and waste disposal within the County.
- ROCK #3 - is authored by the Stearns County Tri-County Solid Waste (TCSW) Department and is a series of cartoons depicting and shedding light on environmental topics.
- Growing Smarts - is authored by Stearns County Master Gardeners and focuses on growing things inside and out, from houseplants, through lawn and gardens, to trees and shrubs, using research-based information from the University of MN Extension Service.
Flickr Account – The County utilizes Flickr to host photos of County events and activities, and photos of scenic and interesting places within the County. Photo submissions from the public are welcome. All photo submissions are reviewed for compliance with our policies before posting on the County’s Flickr account.
The County is responsible solely for the content uploaded to its official Flickr site, and not for any related photos linked from other users, nor for any advertising or other content contained on the Flickr website. Also note that Flickr is governed by separate website policies. These policies apply to your use of Flickr. See the Flickr policies.
YouTube Account – The County utilizes YouTube to host videos that provide information about County projects and services, and to highlight County and community events. Video submissions from the public are welcome. All video submissions are reviewed for compliance with our policies before posting on the County’s YouTube account.
The County is responsible solely for the content uploaded to its official YouTube site, and not for any related videos linked from other users, nor for any advertising or other content contained on the YouTube website. Also note that YouTube is governed by separate website policies. These policies apply to your use of YouTube. See the YouTube policies.
Twitter Account - The County utilizes Twitter to provide announcements and updates on current news, events and notices for Twitter users who elect to watch or follow our Twitter feed. We do not follow individual people back who follow us, but may follow other official government-sponsored Twitter accounts.
The County is responsible solely for the Twitter feeds (Tweets) on its official Twitter site, and not for any Tweets from other users, nor for any advertising or other content contained on the Twitter website. Also note that Twitter is governed by separate website policies, including its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . These policies apply to your use of Twitter.
Facebook Account - The County utilizes Facebook to provide announcements and updates on current news, events and notices for Facebook users who elect to watch or follow us. We do not follow individual people back who follow us, but we do follow other official government-sponsored Facebook accounts.
The County is responsible solely for the content uploaded to its official Facebook site, and not for any related content or content linked from other users, nor for any advertising or other content contained on the Facebook website. Also note that Facebook is governed by separate website policies, including its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. These policies apply to your use of Facebook.
Comment Policy
We encourage you to visit our website often and participate in the Communications Services available. We expect all conversations to follow the rules of polite discourse and that participants will abide by our Comment Policy.
1. Anonymous commenting is not permitted. All commenters are required to register with our website by providing valid contact information.
2. You take responsibility for comments submitted under your username. Stearns County takes no responsibility and assumes no liability for the content and opinions expressed within an individual’s comments.
3. We reserve the right to edit, refuse to post or remove inappropriate comments. Comments containing any of the following forms of content shall not be allowed for posting:
a. Comments not topically related to the specific subject matter. If you have off-topic comments that are relevant to the County, please email them to the County Administration office.
b. Comments that contain threats of physical or bodily harm
c. Comments that contain sensitive information (for example, information that could compromise public safety)
d. Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures
e. Comments that contain profanity and vulgar or abusive language
f. Comments that contain offensive terms that target protected classes, such as ethnic, racial sexual orientation, transgendered, or religious groups
g. Comments that contain sexual content or links to sexual content
h. Comments that contain solicitations of commerce
i. Comments that contain conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
j. Comments that restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying a Communications Service
k. Identical comments by the same user (please do not submit comments over and over expecting the comments to show up faster) or multiple users (a group of people sending identical messages or one person submitting under different aliases). In the case of identical comments, the County may only post the first submission
l. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
m. Comments from those under 13 years of age in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
4. All comments are reviewed for compliance with our policies before posting. We will make every effort to review comments for posting within one business day.
We are always happy to receive photos or videos from the public to use in Stearns County’s Photo and Video Galleries. All photos and videos in our galleries are for the benefit of those who wish to view the beauty, diversity and history of Stearns County. In order to ensure that the photos and videos are sent to us legitimately, we require that photo and video sharing participants abide by this Photo & Video Submission Policy.
1. Anonymous photo/video submission is not permitted. All submitters are required to register with our website and/or provide valid contact information.
2. By submitting your photo or video, you certify that you are the author or sole owner of the photo/video being submitted, and you further certify that the photos/videos are not subject to any copyright claims or other ownership rights of a third party.
3. By submitting your photo or video, you agree that Stearns County has the right to:
a. Publish the photo or video on Stearns County’s internet and/or intranet websites, or websites hosted/maintained by Stearns County
b. Copy, reproduce and distribute the photo or video in any free publications produced or sponsored by the County
c. Modify the photo or video in any way necessary for the purpose of publication, including but not limited to cropping or reducing the image
d. Publicly display the photo or video
4. You understand that the photo or video may be copied or downloaded by third parties accessing our photo and/or video galleries, and you agree that Stearns County is not liable in any way for any unauthorized use of the photos or videos by third parties.
5. You understand that the photo or video may be available for viewing, rating, and comment on by the public, and you understand that comments or ratings with which you disagree may be published, or otherwise become associated with, any photo or video you submit.
6. By submitting any photo or video to us you hereby waive any privacy expectations that you, or that any other person or entity depicted or referenced in the submitted materials, may have with respect to any such photo or video.
7. You may or may not receive on-screen credit depending on how the photo or video is used.
8. The person submitting the photo or video must be 18 years of age or older. If you are between the ages of 13-17, you may make a submission only if you have the prior permission of a parent or guardian. Submissions of any kind by children younger than 13 are not allowed.
9. If photos or videos depict persons other than yourself, you must obtain the permission of any such person(s) prior to making your submission to us. By submitting to us photos or videos depicting persons other than yourself, you represent and warrant that you have obtained appropriate, written releases from any and all recognizable persons appearing in the photo or video.
10. In addition to our galleries on the County’s public web site, Stearns County also maintains photo and video sharing galleries which are hosted by Flickr, YouTube, Facebook & Twitter. By participating in Stearns County’s photo and video sharing services you are agreeing to:
a. Photos – See Flickr’s website policies.
b. Videos – See YouTube’s website policies.
c. Facebook's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
d. Twitter's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
11. We reserve the right to edit, refuse to post or remove inappropriate photos or videos. Photos or videos containing any of the following forms of content shall not be allowed for posting. Photos or videos that contain nudity, violence, obscenity, profanity, pornography, illegal activity, or anything else that is offensive in nature. Content in violation of this may be submitted to the authorities for investigation and possible prosecution.
12. Photos and videos in Stearns County’s galleries may contain images taken during public events and activities. If you see a photo or video of yourself, or that you find objectionable, and that you would like removed from our galleries please contact us and we will review your request.
Termination
You agree to provide true, accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the Site's registration form. If we have reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, we have the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Site (or any portion thereof).
We may cancel or terminate your right to utilize and participate in all or part of the Site’s Communications Services at any time and without notice. In the event of cancellation or termination, you are no longer authorized to access the part of the Site affected by such cancellation or termination.