Editorial: Communication is a two-way street

Communications is a two-way street.

No communication is taking place if one is talking, but nobody is listening or paying attention.

The same applies to blogs, videos, newsletters or any other method of communication.

Our first suggestion to the city and Atlas is to track the effectiveness of the different methods. Are they working? How many people are paying attention? How many are watching the blog from the electrical department?

Our second suggestion is, since communication is a two-way street, residents need to be able to provide input to the city.

How easy is it for residents to ask a question and how quickly will that question be answered?

If an entity invites comments online, often those comments are rude, derogatory and anonymous. Is the city prepared to handle that or isn’t input by the community going to be allowed?

Most importantly, is the attempt at enhanced communications engaging the residents of Cody?

How many people now know who represents their ward on the city council? Why should they care?

Not all of that responsibility should fall on Atlas. It should be a priority and a responsibility for all citizens to be knowledgable about government at all levels.

We should all know and care who our elected representatives are and how they are voting.

We should all be aware of how our government at all levels is spending our money.

It is important to be involved, and it is crucial to remember in this country we have government “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

John Malmberg