In Grantwood, Communication Coming in Many Forms

Twenty years ago, our Trustee meetings were covered by the Post Dispatch and residents could read about it in the Thursday South Post Section. Recent budget cuts caused the Post to stop sending a reporter, and we went several years without any media presence and fewer residents in attendance. That trend is changing, and for the better (thanks, in part, to several local news sources...). In Grantwood, we are working to increase communication using a variety of methods, some old, some new.

We recently added two speed humps to a street which previously did not have them. Needless to say, some love them and others hate them. For the first time in recent memory, the trustees held an open meeting specificly for the residents of the street to listen and address their concerns. Almost 20 residents participated. While the Board is still weighing options on a solution, this meeting set a new precedent in Grantwood. We called a meeting, notified every resident on the street by phone, and proceeded to have a great discussion.

We've also increased the use of social media in our communication. In addition to our quarterly print newsletter and website, we are now on Twitter (@grantwoodvlg). Everytime we tweet, it is automatically posted on the front page of our website. This not only informs residents of Village events and news, but makes us aware of outside news and opportunities we can then pass on. The usefulness and possibilities of Twitter are endless. Additionally, our website is being revamped. We've added more features, news, documents, and information. It's a work in progress. Add all of this to the simple things such as having meeting minutes, ordinances, reports and anything being discussed readily available at meetings, and I think we've made great strides in opening up communication.

I want the residents to know the trustees are listening and welcome their input. Whether by attending meetings, emailing us, sending a Tweet, or even calling us at home (my number is in the book), your trustees are listening. Constructive meetings, gatherings, and communication are vital to any community, and I want to see Grantwood trustees leading the effort.