Several council meetings, candidate forums, blog posts and news articles have discussed communication and interaction between Christiansburg officials and town residents. Some changes have been made which may or may not be relative to this dialog.
As examples:
FOIA complaints about publishing public meeting notices have resulted in a bulletin board at town hall being repositioned, as well as more notices being printed via various media outlet "community" listings. All town hall visitors will walk by these notices upon entering the building, and a second bulletin board is to be placed outside the building providing another opportunity to "notice" the information even when town hall is closed.
A press release dated Oct. 6 announced a survey was being mailed this month to all Christiansburg residents, seeking input on the use or need for expanded bus service in town. The Citizen's Hearing portion of council's Oct. 7 meeting included a representative from Blacksburg Transit providing an overview of this joint project which includes the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, Montgomery County, and the area's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The town currently provides some funding for both the Two-town Trolley and Smart Bus programs. Recommendations are expected by early 2009 and Christiansburg could seek additional matching funds to extend this service. One hopes any changes include commuter services between the two-towns beginning much earlier on weekdays, as well as a shelter and bench at the bus line's current terminus at the County Government Center.
A press release from the Mayor's office was also sent to area media outlets recently relative to a campaign seeking donors/advertisers at the new aquatic center. Business owners will receive a letter of solicitation later this week, and no contributions (business or citizen) will be turned away.
Also at the Oct. 7 council meeting the agenda included a discussion on long established liaison luncheons, between the County Administrator and Board of Supervisor's chair, Blacksburg and Christiansburg mayors and vice mayors. Presumably open to the public, it was stated regular notices were sent to the media who didn't bother to attend or cover these discussions which occur on the second Wednesday of each month at rotating locations.
The town's long awaited revamped web site is due to premier this month, too, and anticipation for having the existing tool retired has been building for several years as funding had been provided without apparent results.
The recess and interuption to regular council meetings for a second Planning Commission (PC) break-out session for matters just heard in Public Hearings was also addressed. Going forward, zoning or ordinance issues will see a Public Hearing date set (1), go before the PC (2), see the Public Hearing held (3), return to the PC for action and a recommendation to Town Council (4). At the next council meeting date (5), the recommendation will be presented by the PC secretary (aka the Town Manager) for action. This allows time to digest citizen comments, reflection, obtain additional data or conduct site visits, and is only expected to extend the town's already quick processing of these matters by two weeks.
Each of these can serve as positive examples of council members being responsive and the town aligning itself to its motto.