Existing comments on L’Observateur’s website will be purged over the next 24 hours to remove those that contain objectionable language and are off-topic, said Publisher John H. Walker.

“The comments portion of the website is intended for people to make comments on a particular item, not to go off on tangents about totally unrelated topics. Once we clear the site, it will allow for better monitoring of comments,” he added.

“I will be the person maintaining the website and if a comment has nothing to do with the item, it will not be uploaded. This is a feature to allow persons to comment on story items and is not intended to provide a source for the anonymous bashing of others.”

Walker said comments that are relevant to to web item will be uploaded in a timely manner.

“It would help if persons leaving comments would also include their e-mail address, so that I can contact them if there is a problem but, as our comment form indicates, that is entirely optional and not required.”