Understanding city & town dynamics: How to tap in to local government & get an insider's perspective

By Lo Frisby

Knowledge is power.

Have you ever found yourself wondering about the goings-on of your city or town, such as:

• How did that new apartment complex or other large development come about?

• Why did the city decide to change an ordinance or cancel a service?

• Why is there still a giant pothole on my street even though everyone complains about it?
  

Additionally, have you ever felt powerless over the decisions made by your local government or felt upset about something after the fact?

Unfortunately, this is often the case when it comes to the dynamics between local government entities and the communities they serve; decisions are made that affect a significant proportion of people who feel excluded from the process, resulting in hurt feelings, mistrust, the spreading of rumors and misinformation, and sometimes, unpleasant confrontations.

It doesn't have to be this way. Community members have much more control than they realize.

Public meetings tend to be ghost towns

Throughout my 3 years of reporting on city council meetings in various communities across North-Central Arizona, I have observed a common thread: generally, community members are not paying attention to the conversations taking place at public meetings. In fact, typically, the only people attending these meetings are the city officials themselves, and maybe one or two community members who have a vested interest in the meeting topics.

I've had multiple conversations with city council members about the issue of community attendance. In the majority of instances, council members have lamented to me that they wish more people would show up and get involved. Some of them have even gone as far as hosting community meetings with free food in order to entice community members to provide input. However, it seems that the majority of people simply do not have the time to keep up; the demands of contemporary life leave little time to attend public meetings.

So, with that being said, what are the options?

Get informed

I have often thought to myself that if everyone would attend just one city council or other public government meeting, it could go a long way to providing a foundation for understanding. By attending just one meeting, you can learn how the process works, and

perhaps even develop a new-found respect for your elected officials, many of whom hold regular jobs in addition to serving the public (which by the way, is not a salaried position, but a "volunteer" position in which typically a small stipend is provided to cover costs of travel, etc.)

Equally important, there are opportunities at public meetings for community members to present their ideas, opinions and proposals. Certain matters, such as proposals, are often subject to legal review, which can include a public comment period.

Of course this does not guarantee that a particular desired outcome will be reached, but it does make it more likely than taking no action at all.

Typically, community members can find out about public meetings via their town or city website. Many communities post meeting agendas online prior to meetings, so the public can have a summary of the topics that will be discussed. Some cities and towns broadcast their meetings online via Zoom or YouTube, which is incredibly convenient for those unable to attend in person.

Additionally, past meeting agendas can be accessed either online or through the town or city clerk's office.

Admittedly, sometimes meetings can be a bit on the boring side, and may only pertain to ongoing operations, maintenance issues or other issues that do not directly affect you. My advice is to just be aware of when the meetings take place, and have a look at the agendas every now and again and pick & choose which subjects interest you. You may discover a hidden interest you weren't aware of. This is how community members end up getting involved.

On the other hand, you could take a less-active approach to being informed. You can support your local newspaper by purchasing a subscription or a sponsorship. Many newspapers are offering low-cost subscriptions nowadays, with options for both print and online services. By subscribing to your local paper, you can become aware of the issues and follow them week after week.

Additionally, visiting your local library message board can be a good way to find out about a variety of issues and events in your community.

In my experience, the best way to go about understanding your community, and the world around you, is to seek information directly from the source; don't rely on hearsay. Visit your local government website. Read your community calendar and explore city documents. Having a look at your city's general plan is a great place to start.

There is a wealth of information for those who are willing to take a little time to learn. Once you've gotten acquainted with the basics, the rest is much easier to follow.

A note about sourcing information

As technology continues to evolve, we need to stay vigilant about where we are getting our information; there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation out there.

Many people do not trust "the media". Truthfully, not all media sources are reputable or reliable. However, as someone who has worked as a journalist covering local news, I can vouch for the vast majority of us small-timers who work with integrity on the behalf of our readers. This is after all, a journalist's credo. I'll add that there are also legal ramifications for disseminating false information. Unlike some of the larger corporate "news" agencies, most small-time local publishers cannot afford to pay off lawsuits over and over in order to continue to push a particular agenda.

If you are curious about the integrity of your news sources, do a little investigating. Find out if there are any open lawsuits against them. Look into where their funding comes from.

For U.S. and world news, Allsides.com is an excellent source, and offers a side-by-side bias comparison of the top news sources across the country. They also offer a tool to assess your own bias. Sometimes a little self-reflection can go a long way.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the genius mind of the dearly departed astrophysicist Carl Sagan:

“We've arranged a society based on science and technology in which nobody understands anything about science technology. And this combustible mixture of ignorance and power, sooner or later, is going to blow up in our faces."

Knowledge is power. Use it to your advantage. Learn about your community and broaden your perspective. You never know what you might uncover.

copyright Lo Frisby, 2023