Lagerquist said it would be a good idea for forum users to use their real names.

But Mike Laven, a Mankato city councilman who also used his real name on the forum, said he could see why some people wanted to be anonymous. He knew two people in particular who had valuable things to say but would have kept their comments to themselves instead of using their names on the forum.

Laven used the forum to give people facts about city policies and projects. His latest posts dispelled rumors about the distribution center that has had its construction delayed, not canceled, by Wal-Mart.

“I hope the newspaper will consider bringing back the forum in the future,” he said.

Lagerquist pointed out there were likely several forum regulars who wanted to complain about the shutdown Thursday but had no place to do so.

Santori said he didn’t want to quell free speech. He was just looking for a way to make forum users more responsible for what they say.

“I don’t want to tell people they don’t have a right to swear — they do,” he said. “Just not at my party.”