THUNDER BAY – To listen to some people, Thunder Bay is either the best city in Canada, or the worst. To me the reality is that like everywhere I have lived, our community has both positives and negatives. That is common in all communities.
Through the Internet, people are able in many cases to take their concerns directly to either the politicians, or to the public at large. Brian Jones has created a social media website designed to assist in this effort. “It’s my hope that by photographing and ranking maintenance issues in the city, we will make it easier for administration to track and repair problems. The idea is partly inspired by Boston’s Citizens Connect Program, Winnipeg’s Speak Up Winnipeg initiative, and conversations I’ve had with friends”, comments Jones.
The site, Speak Up Thunder Bay was started this month.
Jones’ website includes pictures linked to a Google Map of issues, and has the ability of concerned people to add images. “I hope this little tool becomes a social media platform that opens up infinite possibilities for our city,” Jones states.
The move toward an interactive website that points toward things that need doing in Thunder Bay may also serve as a means of providing extra sets of eyes on the streets for city workers, and managers.
Working through the site is easy, and with the Google Map feature, people can also keep up on what the results of the postings generate. It is, perhaps another interactive means of keeping our city looking beautiful.
The Internet is, increasingly becoming an impetus for changing in The Emerging Thunder Bay.
James Murray