Where's the Town Crier when We need Him?

I was at a town committee meeting recently as we planned to hold a "public" meeting about the use of one of the town's properties. It was always the committee's intent to compile ideas coming from the public for this unique piece of real estate. The scheduled gathering will invite other committees in town as well as other organized groups in town, like scouting, the Lions, and groups of that sort.



When I asked about if we'd be inviting individuals in town and be opening the meeting to everyone, I was reminded that town attendance at any town sponsored meeting is very poor and we could expend the effort to get the word out but probably to little or no avail. I can't argue that point. Medway is a town of over 12,000 people and the last town meeting managed to get somewhere around 100 people.



Why is that? Well clearly people are busy with work and family. I remember the days when getting to some event that was not somehow tied to my kids was practically impossible. You only have to glance at a family calendar in any of our homes to know that free time is truly at a premium. But I think it's much more. I think it's because of our tight calendars, we sometimes miss that an important event will be happening. How often do I read our local weekly paper, the Gazette, just a bit too late - missing something that I would have liked to attend.



I'm told all of these town public meetings are posted on the Town's Web Site - Now what is the liklihood you visit that site on a regular basis? I'm also told it's on our local cable tv station - I've got to ask how many of you watch that station on anywhere near a regular basis?



So I think it's time- We need a Town Crier ~ or at least the concept - Town Criers were around at a time most people in a village could not read - So a town crier was appointed to announce critical information before it was posted in the village center. The information was "pushed" down to the villagers. I think we're all missing that "push" approach to get important information from town.



Just wondering - how many would appreciate an email once in a while from town alerting you about important dates? Or would you prefer a facebook post? How do you think information should be shared about town issues/ opportunities? Please take a moment to respond by commenting on this post.