Tech shifts how city gets the word out

Published June 24, 2011

Getting the word out today involves more than a press
release, says Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall, who says
the city must look at multiple information platforms,
such as the Internet, as well as traditional media.
(Image by Stock.xchng vi)

First of two
By Ted Schnell • BocaJump
The explosive growth of new media over the past 15 years has seen a correspondingly dramatic shift in the way people gather and share information – even how they communicate individually with each other.

“You can never communicate enough,” City Manager Sean Stegall said Wednesday afternoon.

More media vie for city ad dollars

Published June 24, 2011

Information is gathered today in far many more ways
than when it was delivered on your front porch.
(Image by Stock.xchng vi)

Second of two
By Ted Schnell • BocaJump
The dominance of traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television once meant there were relatively few choices for “getting the word out” about anything.

For cities, government agencies, civic groups and businesses, press releases typically were the way to go, sometimes sparking enough interest that an editor would assign a reporter and photographer or cameraman to cover the story.

BocaJump: Live-blog council coverage

Published June 22, 2011 | BocaJump publishes a short council preview story that sits on top of the Cover It Live widget users will click on to follow the meeting. Beneath the widget is a rundown of the City Council agenda.
By Ted Schnell • BocaJump
A day after flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder heralded a tornado warning amid heavy rains over Elgin, the City Council will be asked to approve spending $252,527 to add six new weather warning siren systems on the city’s Far-West Side.

Coincidence?

Yes – the agenda was set last week, long before storms raked the city on Tuesday evening.

Is Prigge solo on downtown carnivals?

Published June 20, 2011

(Image by Stock.xchng vi)

By Ted Schnell • BocaJump
Downtown Neighborhood Association President Karin Jones admits that carnivals in Elgin’s Center City seem to have run their course as fundraisers for the organization.

But they remain a viable interest in the eyes of local nonprofits, Jones said Monday, and they help make the downtown a hub of activity when they operate, drawing residents into the area to walk around, perhaps visit a business or two while they’re out having fun.

Jones said she has worked as a volunteer at the carnivals, she has visited them with her family and has had fun doing so, all the while watching others have fun as well.