Stap isi

13 January 2009

Why Councillor James Cousins blogs and twitters on his own patch

I took this decision mainly because I wanted to be free of restrictions the council would have to impose. While I do not intend the blog to be especially political, I am there as an elected representative because of my political affiliation, and want to be free to make political points when I want.

Additionally there is part of me that believes these things should be separate. A lot of people are ignorant of the role of a councillor, and the separation helps reinforce that I am part of the council’s political leadership rather than an officer.

— From an interview with Liz Azyan: part 1, part 2

The first reason echoes comments made by CivicSurf’s Shane McCracken and blogging Councillor Mary Read.

The second makes a good point – for both councillors and council officers.

Constituent comments on operational matters can be absorbed into existing workflows readily enough. But what to do with suggestions and questions relating to policy issues that are the domain of elected representatives?

Best if councillors are also online with their own presence and identity.

— b3rn   blogging, councillors, twitter   Jan 13, 07:37 PM   #

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