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May 24, 2006

Minneapolis City Council to Blog?

Part of the Minneapolis City Council is thinking about running blogs:

Perhaps not surprisingly, four of the five authors are first-term council members. Some of them, like the Eighth Ward's Elizabeth Glidden, expressed excitement about being able to communicate with constiuents in a manner more fluid and immediate than, say, electronic newsletters. And others, like Gordon's aide Garwood, pointed out that with a comments section, the blogs would be more of a forum for council members to hear from the people for a change.
You iknow what'd be better than comments? Trackback - so that Minneapolis' constituents can see what other blogs are writing. I wonder if the City of Minneapolis wants to expose its constituents to the writing of the likes of Rambix and Anti-Strib.
This was what concerned some of the more luddite-leaning members of the ways and means committee. Diane Hofstede (Third Ward), for instance, worried about defamation of character lawsuits. [Luddite? It's realistic! Read any of the Twin Cities' leftyblogs for a day or two! - Ed.] And Sandy Colvin Roy (12th Ward) joined in with a chorus of concern. "My ears are still ringing," Colvin Roy said, "from the lawsuit we're still facing on the red-light cameras."
All the more reason to install the blogs; it might cure some of the City Council's tone-deafness and insularity, the stuff that led to stupid calls like the red light cameras, Robert Olson, and any support for things like R.T. Rybek's policies in the first place.
Still, most concerns were assuaged--comments sections can be patrolled and controlled, after all--and the committee approved the resolution and sent it on to the full council.
Access and instant accountability?

Revolutionary!

It's probably too "progressive" for the City of Minneapolis.

Posted by Mitch at May 24, 2006 07:55 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Blogging has worked out well for the Boy Mayor. Everyone reads R.T.'s blog. Right?

Posted by: Kermit at May 24, 2006 09:22 AM

Actually, the City Manager for the City of Prior Lake has a blog. It is another outlet for the city to "get the word out". I can't think of a better way for the City and the Council to let the people of the city know just what they are thinking on these issues!

Posted by: The Lady Logician at May 24, 2006 10:47 AM

I certainly hope they do start blogs. We will do our best to make sure that they get the exposure and respct they deserve.

I think RT's Blog has been a ringing sucess as a way for the mayor to show his willingness to interact with the community.

Posted by: Tracy at May 24, 2006 01:24 PM

I appreciate the mention but could you fix the link please?

Posted by: Tracy at May 24, 2006 01:25 PM
hi