We’ll call you?
March 19th, 2008 by 
Alica
In another thread, bloggers have suggested that any group or organization that wants the public to know something should drop the information in the public’s lap. People are too busy, or maybe too lazy, to go out and get the information on their own, they say.
How much responsibility should groups and organizations take for letting the public know about stuff? Should the fire department, for example, mail out 3,000 copies of their budget to Brandon residents so everyone can know their plans? Or is it enough to have the information available at the fire hall or City Hall to anyone who wants to stop by and look at it?
I’ve been covering community events for nearly 20 years, and many, many times I’ve seen people come to city council meetings, or school board meetings, angry at a decision that’s been made. What is the governing body trying to sneak through, they say. Why weren’t they informed, they say. And I can point to public notices published in the newspaper, and stories that have been published in the newspaper, where the issue has been discussed. And these days, I can point to Web sites where the information is available.
You can put a pail of water under a horse’s nose, but you can’t make him drink.
Should the public make any effort at all to be informed, or does the entire responsibilty lay on the shoulders of the group or organization?
If the fire department, for example, had an up-to-date Web site, would you look there to find answers? Do you look at the school Web site or the city Web site? Do you watch school board meetings on the local cable channel? Now that city council meetings are broadcast, will you watch them?
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:17 am
I do believe that an organization that is using or requesting tax dollars should try various methods to inform the public of their plans. In our day of technology, “sharing” of information is really not that difficult. If CORRECT information is “distributed” from the beginning, it would help alleviate the spreading of misinformation. Remember the grade school game of telephone????
Citizens would also feel like they are part of the process. This in turn, hopefully, would help for people to “buy in” to proposals.
I will use the Brandon School District as an excellent example of a public entity that uses various methods of “sharing” information. They use every method available - the best, and easiest of course, is the INTERNET. It is easy, quick, and inexpensive.
Just consider how much nicer it has been for parents/students to have up to the minute, daily access to grades! No need to wait until mid-term or end of the quarter to find out how a student is performing. Problems can be addressed IMMEDIATELY! Also, parents have access to teachers via e-mail. It doesn’t get much more convenient.
Although great, the printing of information in the newspaper also has its limitations. Many times issues have already passed by the time any notifications/publications have had time to be printed. It doesn’t help anyone to find out a meeting time or the content of a meeting a week after it is over.
It also should be considered that not everyone has a work schedule that allows them to attend evening meetings. Others are simply not comfortable in group settings. I don’t know about the current city council set-up, but the old set-up was LESS than welcoming!
In summary, ANY way information can be shared is a positive step. Newspapers, websites, TV —-it is all good!
PS. I don’t think the BVFD should mail out 3,000 copies of their budget. It would not be fiscally responsible to their members. I also don’t want to see their ENTIRE budget necessarily. I was only asking for their short and long term goals.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I think if any organization wants my money or support, then they should make the effort to get the information to me in a format I like. I certainly prefer a website versus going to a meeting. I can spend my time looking at the information and less time driving, parking and waiting my turn. I can always contact the organization if I have specific questions (the internet is good for that also!). The internet cannot be the only source of information, but it appeals to a pretty large segment of the population.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I was recently at a forum where a person was unhappy about not getting notice of an upcoming meeting. The government official said “we advertised it in the newspaper.” The citizen said “I don’t take the paper.” The official said “it’s also on our web-site.” The response: “I don’t have internet.” And on… “It’s also posted on our bulletin board.” “I never go to your offices.” I thought to myself, how do they reach everybody? Advertise on TV too? If so, which stations, and how many times? Imagine what that would cost. My conclusion: we all owe it to ourselves and each other to pay some modicum of attention to what’s going on around us; especially before we accuse anyone of poor planning or rash action.