Under the former county administration's guidance, Montgomery County developed an excellent web site and provided state-of-the art public relations.
Professionals come and go, others retire. Transitions, however, are no excuse for sloppiness in how the community is presented in public forums.
A visit to the county's Economic Development web
page for "facts and figures" has had bad data on it for a long, long time. No one -- not that department's staff, whoever is now in charge of maintaining the county's website, administrators or supervisors -- appears to have even bothered to review their own information for accuracy.
It's like appearing at the podium for a public speaking engagement, and literally having egg on your face.
The various economic development entities list is incomplete. Relevant links are absent.
It mentions the county's chambers (plural) of commerce, which merged more than five years ago. It lists none of their current initiatives or accomplishments, and provides no link to that group's website.
It fails to mention the Tourism Development Council (TDC), or how to contact it. The county, along with the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, provide both the management team and funding for that organization.
All the other data on this one page could use a thorough review for accuracy and relevance, as its purpose is to attract new residents or businesses to the county. This is the electronic equivalent of littering.
This overdue review and housecleaning should be conducted by someone who knows more than how to read, and understands the various communities within communities in the county. Having a broad understanding of the numerous civic and non-profit organizations that promote and help provide a higher quality of life for area residents would be a plus.
It may be that a thorough review of other informational pages and links is in order, too, including a check on the listed addresses and phone numbers.
It may be better to provide no, or very little information -- like the Town of Christiansburg -- rather than neglect a vital public tool.
And elected officials wonder why citizens are misinformed or disengaged? It all starts by modeling good leadership and providing effective management, and trickles down.
Montgomery County citizens deserve to have better representation of our community.