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Politics may be a serious business for the members of the Fredericksburg City Council, but not for a new sharp-elbowed Web site about city leaders.
A business, yes. Serious, no. At least, not at first glance.
Launched a few months ago, Fred Bugle.com is the alleged brainchild of a Roanoke-based group that uses parody and wit to expose the perceived misdoings of elected officials. Alleged because the founder of the Web site and its self-identified spokesman prefer to remain in the shadows and could not be tracked down through local phone or voting records.
According to the Web site, the group swoops into towns with a fair share of divisive issues, sets up a site, then sells advertising and merchandise in the hope of turning a profit.
"[The group] has made some substantial money opening Web sites like this in two or three other towns," said a man who identified himself as Peter Parker and claimed to be the local spokesman.
According to Parker, a man named Harry Ripley came up with the idea after scanning statewide newspapers and talking to people with links to Fredericksburg.
"We contacted a few local political consultants to see if they'd contribute," Parker said. "But they weren't interested in helping. They said it was a hot potato and didn't want to touch it."
So, instead, FredBugle.com found willing participants through postings on a message board, Parker said.
"We got an overwhelming response," he said. "There was no shortage of people to comment. Fredericksburg really keeps itself in the news."
Responders were asked to submit articles, essays, editorials and artwork for the site--and were paid a few dollars for their contributions, Parker said.
The site primarily takes swipes at Fredericksburg Mayor Bill Beck and City Councilman Scott Howson, although it's not above characterizing Councilmen Matt Kelly, Billy Withers and Dr. Tom Fortune as "The Three Stooges."
Online stories include the city's controversial purchase of riverfront land from the Silver Cos., for silt deposit, the search for a new homeless shelter site, taxes, schools and a host of other issues.
Along with text, the site offers a slew of items for sale, including pens, bumper stickers, a comic book and compact disc. The CD is probably getting the most buzz around town.
With songs Parker said were written by local lyricists, the sophisticated packaged disc features tracks such as "Blue in the Burg," and "So Sorry Mista Maya."
Lyrics from "Blue in the Burg," written by an artist who identified himself only as KDogg, include:
"Scottie Howson, why you do me like you do?
Been so many years since my Momma voted for you.
Now it's time to go--time for you to fly.
You know it's trueI'm so blue."
Another song, titled "All My New Friends," was allegedly written by a Jeff Boxworthy, and takes a shot at Beck about the homeless shelter. One of the more crasser verses goes: "Now that I know that you're such a liar, I wouldn't p--- on you if you were on fire."
Neither Howson nor Beck are amused by the site or its companion merchandise.
"I've got a sense of humor like anybody else," said Howson, who said he has logged on to the site once. "But I've seen better humor in high school skits.
"It seems to me the alleged satire and parody are just ways of masking the same old lies that this anonymous group of people have been saying over and over."
Beck echoed that sentiment.
"It's a childish annoyance, and I'm not going to waste a lot of time with it," he said.
Parker said the group strives to be comical while sending a message.
"We want to make people aware of the issues in a satirical way, but not to be nasty," he said. "Our intention is never to be real personal. The message is to get involved."
Tracing FredBugle's roots is not easy.
The Web site's domain-name registration cannot be traced. Most of the site's online contributors use either pseudonyms or a first name and last initial. In one case, a writer is identified as Gordon Beck, apparently an alias combining the first name of former Councilman Gordon Shelton with the mayor's last name.
Parker called this reporter after receiving an e-mail through the Web site. Neither Parker nor KDogg, who also called the newspaper, would give a work or home phone number. They provided only e-mail addresses.
An Internet search for a Harry Ripley in the Roanoke area turned up nothing, and no Peter Parker (which is the name of Spider-Man's alter ego) is registered to vote in Fredericksburg or is listed in the local telephone directory.
Parker insists the group is genuine but must maintain privacy for safety reasons.
"Fredericksburg has this infatuation with exposing people and their addresses," Parker said. "I've gotten threatening phone calls, and the Web site got a death threat."
Parker said the group is simply exercising its First Amendment rights.
"To my knowledge, as long as the subjects are elected officials, you can put bozo hats on them all day long," he said. "We're covered under free speech."
Parker said the group has sold about 40 of the CDs, which he said are available at various businesses in Fredericksburg. According to the Web site, one such business is Blue Dog CDs and Tapes on Caroline Street.
The owner there said about five copies were dropped off but were never put on sale.
Parker said the Web site will stay up at least until the City Council election in May.
"As long as they stay interesting and are down at City Hall, we'll be around," he said.
To reach ELIZABETH PEZZULLO: 540/374-5421 epezzullo@freelancetar.com