Communication is a key to serving people

By Larry Rice

Regular communication is a key to serving people. Newspaper columns, regular office hours, email addresses, regular electronic access to council agendas andminutes, community access channels are all examples of how a Mayor can communicate with the citizens.

Simultaneously, our borough is changing. New, younger residents are taking their place in our borough, and helping us continue the history of Sewickley being a wonderful place to live and raise families.

While traditions must be nurtured, new technologies make our lives easier. Incorporating new technologies allows us to communicate better, making Sewickley an even better place.

There are so many new opportunities in the area of technology, communication, and environmental awareness; but everything needs to be done with the greatest respect for our heritage.

As your mayor, I will lead that blend of tradition and future into the 21th Century.

There are many opportunities to Lead:

• Cable-based community bulletin boards can be used to communicate in a timely and efficient manner.

• Meeting minutes and agendas can be posted electronically and emailed, to keep citizens well informed.

• Keeping regular weekly office hours maintains trust and communication with the community.

• Community Wi-Fi allows citizens to be connected, at meeting, in the Borough building, etc.

• Communication through a mayor's regular published interactive news column; and quick response email will allow citizens to gain an insight in what is going on...No Surprises!

• Working with the other participants within the Borough and in neighboring boroughs, allows cross fertilization of ideas and "best practices" to improve services and cut costs.