Role of a "Place Blog"

One service I believe this blog could provide is to start conversations about issues and events in town, then open things up for others to comment with more details about what they know from more direct experience. For a newspaper, a reporter must do all the legwork--to talk to multiple sources and then write a story that delivers "the news." For the town--and any official government body--there will always be a constraint on ensuring that the information released is as accurate as possible and representative of the town's position. The town website has a responsibility to be an authority and it understandable that it would be reluctant to publish half-baked information, then open things up to speculation.

The blog can be a middle ground. It's not an opinion blog of one author but a discussion space for sharing information. A great example of the positive aspects of this can be seen in the recent commentary about the LaRouche supporters in Islington Center. Lt. Leo Hoban of the Westwood Police responded to the original post and then several residents commented, thanking him. No agenda, no press releases...just a conversation that is recorded online so many other people can see not only the information that was provided, but the fact that the police are being responsive.

This is not something that would work on the town website or in a local newspaper. Would you find it in the police blotter or even notice? Should the town issue press releases and advisories about every little thing that happens in town? Do you regularly visit the Westwood Police website to see what's going on? So much communication need to be "smaller," more immediate, and more informal.