Lets give credit where its due: Milton.ca website is not half bad.  It actually makes it fairly easy to find information. However, it only works for people who seek information.  Same goes for giving input. If I am the type of person who would physically show up at the Town Hall and leave a written feedback in a public input session, then milton.ca makes my life easier by allowing me to view documents online instead.  But if attendance at public sessions is any indication, clearly people like me are in extreme minority.

Information published on the website flows in one direction.  It’s a “pull” mechanism.  If I need info, I can “pull” it down from the website.  But how does Milton “push” information down to me, so I always stay updated?   The answer: social networking.

Think about it, why can the Town of Milton not have a twitter account where it publishes tweets with announcements?  Why can it not be on facebook?  These tools can be used to connect to Miltonians who do not have the time or energy to physically show up at public input sessions?  Why are almost all Milton blogs published by residents like myself?  Could the ‘Council’ have a blog where the Mayor and different Councillors take turns writing a weekly post?  I set up such a blog for my organisation in my ‘younger’ days.  I don’t see why same will not work for the Council as well.  Heck if they are interested they can just ping me and I will set one up for them). 

When Halton did its Places To Grow public input sessions, I was expecting a lot more people to show up. Then I started thinking, how many people knew about it?  Probably only people who were interested enough to constantly check if such sessions were held.  Would it not be better if everyone who goes online (and had registered for an update) got a tweet or a facebook status update about the input session with all documents online?  People could see the presentation at their leisure and give feedback either privately (via e-mail) or publically where others could comment on it.  Sort of a public brain-storming session! 

There is still value in good old fashion public meetings where some people present information to the larger public. However, the value is not nearly enough. Times have changed.  People are much busier and have much more demand on their times.  A stronger online presence will complement these meetings well. This is especially true in a dynamic and diverse town like Milton.  I share my street with software developers, engineers, cops, teachers, preachers, home-makers, designers and so on.  Honestly, the town is missing out by not doing everything it can to engage such a diverse crowd in planning.