An OPEN LETTER to Wheeling’s New Council …
Some of you were re-elected and some of you are brand new with many ideas in mind, so please realize that collectively many Wheeling residents are praying for progress on roadways, neighborhoods, and in the downtown district, too.
With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to consider as we move forward in a year full of adversity caused by the coronavirus:
1. Develop a more inclusive method of communication with the goal of reaching all citizens no matter their age. The use of Twitter and Facebook is effective for a few demographics, but not all. For example, whatever information is shared on those social media platforms also could be distributed to local outlets such as digital media, television, and radio. That way, the information will reach even more who have opted not to participate on social media platforms.
2. Please continue to broadcast all meetings on Facebook Live and seek ways for other media outlets to share at least the audio of those meetings, as well, even after the pandemic subsides. If that decision is made, it also will increase awareness among your constituents and remove all excuses for not being informed.
3. Announce nothing until the ink is dry.
Over the past four years, we have heard what is possible without much movement on projects like the building on Market Street where Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel operated its headquarters for many years; we became concerned about the future of all off the non-profit festivals at Heritage Port because of the possibility that usage fees would be implemented by city government; and goodness, the drama concerning the two-way proposal.
Please know we are rooting for all of you, and that we are watching, too.
Sincerely,
Fans of the Friendly City
