by Kelly Hawes
It’s a whole new world out there, folks.
On Wednesday evening, state Sen. Randy Head will hold a town meeting by way of the Internet, and all you have to do to participate is to sign up on Facebook.
Seriously.
Head, a Republican from Logansport, says he’ll be available to address questions from the public using his Facebook page from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. His goal, he said, is to help more citizens get involved in the workings of state government.
He might well succeed.
Head, who represents parts of six counties in the Indiana Senate, has more than 3,000 friends on Facebook, and he has been using the page since before the session began to discuss issues under consideration by the General Assembly.
He posted this note one day last week.
“I’m happy the Senate passed four of my bills today: one to reward local government for finding more efficiencies; one to expand the use of ignition interlock; one to protect car dealers from unfair practices of manufacturers; and one to prevent foreign law from being used in family law cases if that law comes from a country that doesn’t ensure our fundamental constitutional freedoms,” he wrote. “The legislature is half done for 2010.”
He also responded to a post from a constituent inquiring about the status of a bill related to education.
Such a means of communication with constituents was unheard of only a few years ago. Now, individual voters can communicate with their legislators on Facebook.
Follow OUR TWEETS
In the meantime, the Pharos-Tribune remains on Facebook, and we’ve developed a presence on Twitter.
Last week, we sent out tweets concerning stories and features both in our print and online editions.
We promoted a slide show from last week’s Super Bowl media day in addition to videos of Drew Brees and Dwight Freeney and even a sneak preview of tonight’s half-time performance by The Who.
If you’re already checking us out on Facebook, you might not find a whole lot new on Twitter, but if you’re not a Facebook fan, Twitter might be another option.
You’ll frequently get an early warning on stories we’re working on and even a few we’re not. Last week, for example, we alerted our followers on Twitter that Punxsutawney Phil had spotted his shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter. Of course, we also pointed out that Phil’s predictions have been wrong more than half of the time.
An online resource
Have you ever been searching for the name of a local legislator or the address of the governor? How about the name of the principal at your child’s school?
You’ll find that and more information in a new community resource guide at pharostribune.com.
You can find the guide through links from the local news and opinion sections at pharostribune.com. Or you can get there directly by going to pharostribune.com/communityinfo.
The directory includes a schedule of government meetings, a list of public utilities, a directory of support groups and even listings of museums, theaters and public libraries.
We hope you’ll find the information useful, and if you can think of other information you’d like to have added, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
• Kelly Hawes is managing editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5155 or kelly.hawes@pharostribune.com.
