My Proposed Solution to Meeting Problems
Creating open lines of communication and advocating transparency within the Town of Westwood’s government has been one of my top concerns as a Candidate for Selectman.
I understand that many of you, including myself, show up at a meeting in town that supposedly has a predetermined agenda, only to find that the board or committee did not prepare to speak about the topics that the public was interested in hearing or debating about.
I’m pleased to admit that our town website is one of the most informative and visually appealing websites I’ve seen in years. But there is still a huge problem with communication, and I’m not sure anyone can truly grasp the disconnect that continually occurs with residents and town officials. Events are posted along with the subject matter that supposedly coincides with that particular meeting. Each time a board or committee meets however, they must accomplish or discuss any leftover business from previous meetings. This is the only reason I can see for continual resident disappointment in not being able to discuss and/or participate in the subject matter they came prepared for. Agendas, much like construction projects, are continually delayed or pushed back in order to clean up unfinished business.
I’m struggling to understand why people (including myself-several times) have difficulty showing up to the correct meeting. It most certainly has something to do with the town, and NOT the resident’s ability to “follow directions” so to speak. Earlier in the week, “Concerned Resident” mentioned he/she did not see the any members of the Board of Selectman show up to a meeting that in part featured them! I can GUARANTEE that I’ll show up to every meeting, especially meetings that I’m listed as being a featured participant in. Countless times this has happened in our town, where representatives are sent in place of the actual person, supposedly dictating their sentiments to the group. This behavior is not one of transparent government that advocates the desires of the people, the true representatives. I agree that time commitments may have played a role for all three members of the BOS, but I truly believe that representation is what the residents deserve above all.
This is my proposed solution. I’m not sure, but I think we’re not dealing with a lack of information, rather, we’re dealing with the lack of attendance by board members and the lack of truth to the posted agenda from the town website. I’m also sure that Westwood possesses someone who continually posts updates and meeting schedules onto the website for informational purposes. What we need is someone SINGULARLY dedicated to meeting posts, schedules, changes, and general information. The best part is, we won’t have to pay them. I suggest we offer the job listing to a highly qualified web and media oriented student, willing to dedicate their time to meeting information, changes, etc. Credits will be given to this student by the school for performing this task, thus treating the experience much like an internship for credit.
What are your thoughts?
Submitted by GregAgnew on March 21, 2008 - 1:01am
Comments
participation, not just information
I agree that a motivated person could do a lot. It doesn't have to be all web-based either, but a comprehensive engagement strategy--a communications director type role. Not a PR firm. Not 1-way communication. Someone who actively thinks of ways to pull people into discussions. Maybe that is a "community relations" manager...I hope this blog...and the Community Access Television project I'm also involved with will help--but I think we need a person who will step in and really work at engaging the community through many different communications channels.
We are a small town and my sense is that for people who have lived here all their lives--perhaps they don't see a problem because they are already well-connected to what matters to them in the town. But as someone who moved here in 2005 and works in Boston, I know that just reading agendas and minutes and trying to attend a meeting is not an effective way to connect with the community. People have told me that when I have kids in school, this will change quickly as I get to know the other parents and our lives revolve around the activities of our kids...perhaps. But most of the discussions my wife and I have with parents now are more about baby stuff, not town issues.