| At every level of government and politics, an | | | | Who cares about the condition of the Fire |
| informed electorate is needed to understand the | | | | Department equipment? Until the high cost of |
| candidates and issues of their community. That | | | | replacing that equipment, prohibits the Fire |
| sounds pretty basic doesn't it? Citizens cannot | | | | Department from adequately protecting your |
| make informed decisions before they vote for | | | | property. |
| candidates if they do not know the individuals | | | | Who cares if because of budget constraints, the |
| running for office. Nor, can they make informed | | | | routine maintenance of streets is delayed a year? |
| judgments on issues, if they are not | | | | Until because of that neglect, it is your vehicle |
| knowledgeable on the points of discussion and | | | | that sustains damage attempting to utilize that |
| disagreement. | | | | street. |
| With that in mind, a very disturbing news article | | | | If you talk with almost any local government |
| has been published by USA Today. In that article | | | | official, they all recognize and complain that a lack |
| they report that "local TV stations have nearly | | | | of communication with the public is a problem. |
| given up covering local political races and issues." It | | | | Yet, nobody has an answer to it. Public Notices |
| further stated that "just 8% of the local evening | | | | are printed in newspapers and nobody reads |
| newscasts in 11 of the nation's largest TV | | | | them. Public Information Meetings are held on |
| markets devoted time to local races and issues." | | | | issues of importance and nobody attends. Crazy |
| The report which this information comes from | | | | ideas are proposed and nobody takes them |
| was prepared by researchers at the Norman Lear | | | | seriously, until after they are implemented. |
| Center at the University of Southern California's | | | | This communication problem has no easy solution. |
| Annenberg School for Communications, the | | | | It cannot be solved overnight. It will take baby |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison and Seton Hall | | | | steps by all concerned to begin to solve the |
| University in New Jersey. | | | | problem. It will take a concerted effort by elected |
| When we factor into the equation of voter | | | | officials, the media and citizens to fight this local |
| apathy "most people - about 60% - get more of | | | | government apathy. |
| their news from local TV than from any other | | | | The "baby step" which citizens can take, is to |
| single source" it is no wonder why we find | | | | start attending meetings. Just one meeting to |
| ourselves in the predicament we are in. Local | | | | start. Take two hours out of your busy schedule |
| government voter apathy, running rampant | | | | to show your interest and concern. Fight the urge |
| across the country. | | | | to throw up your hands in despair and claim there |
| We also can add into the equation of voter | | | | is nothing you can do. |
| apathy, that in small town, USA there is no local | | | | If citizens started to show a little interest in what |
| TV coverage whatsoever, because there is no | | | | is happening in their neighborhood and city, maybe, |
| local TV stations. | | | | just maybe, the local media will notice. After they |
| Granted, many issues that local government deal | | | | notice, they may decide to start reporting. If they |
| with seem boring. | | | | report, maybe more interest will be generated. |
| Who cares about storm water runoff? Until it is | | | | Or, maybe not. |
| your property is that inundated with water | | | | But, it might be worth a try? |
| because of poor planning or design. | | | | |