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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Blogs Are Not As Easy As They Look

Councilwomen Campbell & Cohen created their own Blog Site offering updated political information to the Public. While this is certainly a noble attempt, their Site falls short of regular posts, discouraging visitors from visiting on a regular basis.

I had personally hoped this would be a daily Blog but I personally knew I'd be dreaming, considering I know just how busy these two people are. If only the Public truly knew how much life it takes out of you.

It would be a different story if you're someone like Comegys and Smith, having easy access to whatever you want. They make Debbie & Terry's life hell giving them things at the last minute and their having to do crash research and everyone wonders why they ask so many questions at Council Meetings.

Mayor Tilghman and Smith laugh the entire time because they know the Public isn't privy as to why they do ask all those questions but it is what it is and we can only hope thing will turn around after the next election.

Getting back to their Blog. My other hope, (dream) was that I wouldn't have to attend all those Council Meetings and Work Sessions. As you can easily see with the multitude of Posts I put up daily, this Blog has become somewhat overwhelming and extremely time consuming. Oh, I'm not complaining. I'm simply sharing that I know more than anyone else out there just how tough it is to run one of these things.

Just imagine how huge I'd be if I had a Staff of 200, like the Daily Times! Then again, no one is really complaining about what we deliver, so we're doing fine with what we have.

Debbie & Terry should reconsider their quest in the Blogosphere and IMO simply offer a once a week postings, preferably a Sunday Morning Blog? Rather than having people go there every day and get disappointed, once a week would please most and also take some of that pressure away from irregular postings. Just a thought?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe, I think they did set the expectation when they started that it wouldn't be every day, that it's more of a website than a blog. I think they said at least once a week, and they've been more frequent than that.

Thanks to them, I filed the Homeowner's Tax Credit form right away.

So don't hold them to the same standard as what you do. Their goals are different than yours. I think they are meeting them well, especially given the hell they are put through by the Three Blind Mice and the Witch.

Anonymous said...

Their blog was never intended to be a daily barrage of posts. It is for the dissemination of information. You said it yourself, information is not easily had by either of them so they post what they can get when they can get it. Then, they have to go back over the info and verify the accuracy before putting their names to it.

They post at least once a week with a lot of good information provided in pdf files. Not everyone is interested in all areas of the info provided. Some only want housing info, others want budget process info, etc. Right now going into the budget process their time is limited. It's either devote much needed time to this financial disaster we have or devote time to the blog. I think people would much prefer they dedicate their time to the budget process.

As far as I know, Terry or Debbie have received no complaints about their blog other than the attention provided by the Daily Times.

One thing you can count on with the information they provide. It is well researched, accurate and honest. They take their responsibility to the taxpayers seriously.

joe albero said...

I think some of you are missing my point. PICK A DAY, ANY DAY! If you're going to only post every so often, choose a day to make it convenient for people to come visit. Not much different from having a Council Meeting every other Monday.

The advice I give is good advice. I want people to go there and enjoy what they have to offer as well as become educated.

Anonymous said...

Having a set posting schedule would be great. We appreciate what they are doing, and their effort to keep us informed. A monthly post would more then suffice for me.
honestaby

Tim Chaney said...

Well if they had to pick a specific day they wouldn't be posting something that may be time sensitive.

We all know they take representing the citizens seriously and how much work that it takes to be on top of things with very little time to research.

I like the idea of having minutes from both council meetings and work sessions posted in their entirety at the city's web site.

Taxpayers that can't make it to all those meetings should have adequate access to all info discussed at all of these meetings, our taxes ought to earn a mandate for such without having to jump through hoops.

Well that is if you want an informed public. Even seen congressional minutes? They are the size of a huge Bible, but it gets done. At least they are trying to make information readily available.

Anonymous said...

Salisbury city minutes are now bare bones. Not much info there at all since Brenda got that new machine. If they put the audio file on that would be easier than transcribing every word said. We are talking about the city though, don't hold your breath