Citizens Invited to "Chat" with the Mayor "Live"
Fort Wayne, Ind. – This Thursday, anyone with internet access will be able to view or participate in an online conversation with the Mayor. In his continued commitment to make local government more welcoming, responsive and accessible to all residents, Mayor Tom Henry will host his first "live" online chat session this Thursday March 29th from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The online chat session is part of Mayor Henry's SmartGov initiative, which employs innovative methods, new technologies and process improvements to better serve the public. Participants will be able to ask the Mayor about whatever topics are interesting to them or just discuss information they want to share with him.
"SmartGov brings City government closer to residents and this online chat is another valuable way to have a conversation and have questions answered in real-time," said Mayor Henry. "Our SmartGov technology efforts are reaching residents daily through Facebook, Twitter, blogs -- and, now a live chat session."
Mayor Henry is one of a handful of mayors across the nation to host a live chat. In his first chat, other City officials will assist in answering questions during the 60-minute session with the Mayor.
To access the chat, go to the City's website at www.cityoffortwayne.org/MayorChat. A "live chat" session is conducted completely in typed conversation, with questions and answers posted to a central screen by the moderator.
The chats will be archived and posted online on the City's "chat page," so that citizens who are unable to participate can read the chat log afterwards.
Live chats are part of Mayor Henry's ongoing effort to interact with residents year round. They are another creative way the Mayor interacts with the community including neighborhood walks, business walks, Mayor's Night In, Twitter, Facebook and Neighborhood Area Partnership meetings.
The mayor launched SmartGov in 2010 with services to allow residents access to City financial information including budgets, contracts and the City's check registry. Since then, interactive technology tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Fencepost and blogs, a trails widget, and information alerts for job openings were added, along with live meeting broadcasts on the City's website and iPads for City Council members have been added to the initiative.
SmartGov connects residents to their government 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.