tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post724125175495644620..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: City Sends out Survey on City CommunicationsSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-38629370098618178272015-10-30T22:42:48.568-07:002015-10-30T22:42:48.568-07:00Last Thursday at the NA chairpersons meeting the c...Last Thursday at the NA chairpersons meeting the consultant lead about 10 NA representatives though a typical session where we were asked to answer a number of questions about how the city communicates with us. The questions were not the same as on the survey. I took copious notes, but have not typed them up yet, but plan to share them when I do.<br /><br />We were told that the process would be combined with other outreach efforts and then put into a report. Been there and done that so many times before...only thing missing this time was the infamous 'dots'.<br /><br />Apparently the City is well into a re-write of the City's website too. Staff mentioned an internal committee that is nearing completion of some of the elements, but they also are in the process of hiring a person to work on it, so it is not clear what is going on there.<br /><br />I noted that the questionnaire had a couple of items on the website and it seemed odd that you would ask such a question if the re-write is well underway or near completion. I have a son who worked on writing websites for a number of years professionally and he tells me that the thing you do first is ask the customer what they like or need, before you ever begin, but then again that is just the opinion of a professional.<br /><br />Anyway, of note at the NA meeting was the tone. The police came out drawing the most favorable comments and the council having the least favorable. I was a bit surprised that the mood was so universal. I thought is was just a few of us grumpy old geezers!<br /><br />The sense is that there is a lot of work to be done at all levels. After 25 plus years of city involvement, it is disheartening to see the same process and yet little improvement.<br /><br />Years ago the City used to have a Citizens Community Relations Advisory Board. Served on it for 7 years and we did a lot of good things, but even though it was all volunteer was cut. NA have also been cut back repeatedly. Seems a silly thing to turn your back on people who spend time and effort to make things better.<br /><br />Seems also kind of silly to keep spending tax dollars that could do some good repairing pothole on yet another consultant to tell us what is obvious...again!Susann Kaltwassernoreply@blogger.com