Everyday, we showcase how our viewers feel about stories we cover through web polls and comments on our newscast.
When those comments are about the local government, you may wonder if they carry any weight with the people you voted into office.
Steve sent us an e-mail wondering if any of our elected officials ever read the comments posted online concerning the news articles listed by WMAZ. He said if they did, they would get a true picture of what the citizens of Macon and Bibb County really want instead of their own personal agendas.
Some leaders say it's possible to keep a finger on the pulse of the community through comments posted to online news sites.
"I try to read mainstream comments especially those that are thoughtful, not negative, but point out what they see is right or wrong about an issue," said Macon Mayor Robert Reichert.
He says he reads posts from time to time but has to weed out the negative banter to get to useful stuff.
City Councilwoman Elaine Lucas says she occasionally reads them, but knows to stay away from some.
"Certain stories, I know that these folks that sit home doing nothing all day, that they're gonna have ugly comments, so I don't read those," said Lucas, she says she keeps an eye out for thoughts that seem unbiased and genuine.
"I limit my exposure to the negatives of people who have better to do than try and hurt other people anonymously," she said.
Bibb County Commission Chairman Sam Hart say he pays more attention to newscasts and articles than to comments.
"I honestly don't read many of them. My wife is a big reader of those, so even though I don't read them, I often hear about them," said Hart.
He says she points out comment threads that he should read.
"I look for how genuine the response is, and too often if it offers an alternative," said Hart.
Commissioner Joe Allen reads online opinions, but has one of his own to add. He thinks people should offer up their identities when they make online comments.
"Make them use their names. Use whomever at so and so. So people can stand up for who they are instead of trying to hide behind a fake name," said Allen.
We also contacted Warner Robins Mayor Chuck Shaheen's office. He declined to speak with us on camera, but his office says while he does read some local papers, he does not read comments on website news articles.