Let’s Talk Communication
Having worked in 3 of the 4 levels of government (municipal, regional and federal) I can say with surety that communication with the public is vital. I also know that you will have people who will agree with a topic, and some do that do not agree. I have seen the best in people, and I have seen the worst in some people. As we have moved through decades of how we get information out to people it is quite evident that social media and the internet is where most people get there information from. There seem to be a distrust with tv or print media because in some cases the story being told is perceived to be slanted one way or the other. The best example I can give you although not Canadian media is CNN vs FOX. They will report on the same story but with completely different views. Neither one of them is reporting on the facts of the story, but more are doing investigative journalism and then reporting on what they believe their viewers want to hear. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite.
The internet and social media have compounded the problem with anyone being able to create a blog or distribute their thoughts via YouTube or other social media avenues and providing their opinion without basing it on facts.
For Mayor and Council for the District of Sparwood our legal obligation is to hold public Council Meetings on a regular basis. We are legally required to hold an open house for people to go over the annual budget. When we have public hearings on a variety of topics, we are legally required to post notice in two consecutive newspaper editions and to post the details on the notice board outside of the Municipal Office.
What we are not required to do is post anything online whether it be on a website or a social media site. This is done by the District of Sparwood to try and reach out to as many people as we can. Why you ask? We hardly have anyone attend our Council Meetings and I can count on one hand how many people come to our open houses for the annual budget. The annual budget is without doubt the most important thing that Mayor and Council do through out the year. It is where we authorize the spending of tax dollars for projects throughout the community. When no one shows up we must make the assumption that no one objects to the spending and we move forward. Unlike the Provincial and Federal governments, Municipal governments are legally required to have a balanced budget each year and it must be filed with the Province by May 15th. Public input is vitally important.
I have watched municipalities across Canada shut off the comments on social media feeds such as Facebook and with good reason. Most people who leave not so nice comments are the same people who are not engaged in the process yet feel empowered to spout off because it can be done behind a keyboard. Mayor and Council for the District of Sparwood will not engage in this type of conversation.
So here is my ask of people, if you have questions about anything that is happening in the District of Sparwood please feel free to contact me or any Councillor by phone or email. A meeting will be set up so that you can voice your concerns. I also ask that rather than just complaining, you come with a solution to the problem, because it maybe something that Mayor and Council did not consider.
Whether it is a project that is underway, or one being proposed lets get back to face to face meetings because sometimes, the old fashion way, is the best way.
Post Date: March 15, 2023 | Category: Mayor's Monthly Editorial News & Updates