My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday.
Social media is just one of the ways that our elected representatives can communicate with us. Mentioned in the column is Hampton Mayor Molly Ward, whose embrace of communication tools is unrivaled in Hampton Roads. One benefit of being a communicator is that it doesn’t stop when the office lights are turned off. Mayor Ward’s recent trip to Israel was chronicled on Twitter and Facebook. I don’t even live in Hampton but was fascinated by her posts.
I think there is a humanization that takes place when elected representatives regularly engage the public. Of course, it has to be more than just posting – there has to be interaction, something that Mayor Ward does.
Folks on the southside of Hampton Roads would do well to emulate her.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
You are so right Vivian! It’s not the technology tools themselves, it’s how they foster real time communication with a broad range of people on a regular basis. That builds stronger relationships between elected officials and their constituents. I love Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, NJ, for that very reason. He humanizes the office of mayor and reaches out to people (way outside the boundaries of Newark too) with a sense of humor, empathy and pride in the people of his city. I too find myself suggesting to candidates and elected officials that they embrace this form of communication for building stronger relationships and a more engaged community.
You are right on point about elected officials needing to use social media to interact with citizens. Mayor Ward is doing an excellent job reaching the citizens. I do live in Hampton and prior to her years as mayor most people seemed to be disconnected with the elected officials. Mayor Ward has done many things not only twitter and face book, she has a blog and also a virtual lunch once a week were you can listen in and hear what is happening on a particular item or the group can just ask questions. The city is doing so much better on interaction as well. They have budget input sessions before the council budget hearings were citizens can voice their priorities. This still has some little issues here or there but they have only been doing it two years now and the process keeps getting more refined. The city has targeted city wide emails where you can get alerts or updates on things that concern you. The major thing they did this year was their process they do every five years where citizens have input on what they want the city to accomplished in the next 5 years. This process has many committees and requires months of work. In the past some people told me they thought it was a waste of time but I did not hear that this year. One reason was the city sat down and talked with the groups and the planning commission about not only what they want but how do they expect to pay for it. The council and the planning commission both indicated that they want to work out a process where some people of these groups work with planning on implementing their concerns then it would advance to council. One gentleman told me this was the first time he felt this process was not for show. I think Mayor Ward deserves a gold star for doing all she has to bring the citizens into the city process. Mary Bunting the City Manager was also part of this effort and is doing a good job on interaction also.
On a congressional note Congressman Randy Forbes has always been very interactive. He sends out info frequently on twitter, asking for specific input. He also send out info on why he feels a way about a particular issues. Now I noticed within the last month or so Congressman Scott Rigell is also starting to reach out to citizens the same way. I am glad.
I hadn’t realized that Rep. Forbes engaged on Twitter. I’ve seen Rep. Wittman’s town halls there. And since Rep. Rigell is my rep, I am aware that he engages on Twitter & Facebook. But hands down, Mayor Ward is the best at it. And I know it’s important to her that the citizens feel connected.