The Rockwall News gets it wrong….Again. A case for Social Media.

J.J. Smith Writes on his blog (The Rockwall News)  “Council Member Glen Farris is enthused with Allied’s program, which can also help the City to raise funds to donate to local non-profits.” This is absolutely wrong. Although I am enthused with the program, The City of Rockwall does not raise funds to give to Non Profits. Perhaps J.J. is still confused from his previous editorial statement where he chastised the City for Spending money on boat docks at the Harbor and not supporting the financially strapped Rockwall Boys and Girls Club. I addresses this ridiculous assertion in a previous blog. What was said was that the Program offers rewards for recycling. Theoretically (this program has not passed City Council approval) Residents of the City of Rockwall would be given points for recycling through the Recycle Bank Program. Those points can then be redeemed for discounts from local and national retailers. If the participant chooses, they may op to have those points given to local charities in the form of Cash. In no way will  the City of Rockwall take points earned by it’s citizens and give it to non-profits. It is the citizens choice, on a house by house basis, to determine what they want to do with their rewards.Perhaps J.J. should actually stay in his seat during the discussion instead of going outside to talk to individuals or answer his phone (put it on silent next time J.J.) he would get the correct information.

This does bring up an issue that I am addressing. I recently placed an item on the agenda to implement a social media program for the City of Rockwall.  A significant portion of the news about the City of Rockwall is negative or controversial. The News and media reporting on the City of Rockwall do not make money on positive news. It appears that negativism and bad news are the only stories that get readers and sell ads. The City of Rockwall has so many positive aspects and good news stories that the public is never aware of. I believe that it is the Cities responsibility to inform the citizens of the good thing that Rockwall does. I have proposed, and the staff is addressing, using Social Media to inform citizens from the city prospective. Cities and other forms of government are utilizing Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of social media to keep their citizens informed of news, events and positions. The demographics show that a large portion of Rockwall citizens already use social media to keep informed. It is time we utilize this form of communication. In the coming months  The Rockwall City Council will be listening to recommendations about our Social Media Policies and a program to keep you , the citizen, informed of the true story.I look forward to this addition to the New Horizon.