By Shachi Kurl,
Special to The Post
Our families are busy.
We’re looking after our kids, making sure they’re doing well at school and happy as they grow.
We’re looking after our parents, ensuring they are happy and healthy and active within their social circles.
On top of that, we’re juggling work, school, and trying to squeeze in some semblance of a personal life of our own.
But as we drive or take the bus we notice potholes that need to be fixed on our streets. Or we wish the library or aquatic centre was open a little longer. Or that we could get tax relief for our small business.
What if there was a better way, an easier way, a faster way to talk to our cities?
We make a mental note, we wish we could make a difference.
But really, when do we find the time to call city hall, attend an open house, or go to a town hall meeting?
The City of Surrey has launched City Speaks, an online community bringing citizens the next generation of civic engagement and public consultation.
If you live in Surrey, or own a business there, Surrey is asking you to join City Speaks by going to www.surrey.ca/cityspeaks.
How does it work?
Well once you join, you can take surveys and participate in discussions about the issues that are important to you.
You can participate from your computer, your tablet or even your smartphone.
Hey, you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas or have great English in order to have your say.
We wring our hands a lot about young people tuning out of civic affairs, of not voting and not paying attention to what’s going on in their communities. Of feeling like they have no voice.
The neat thing about City Speaks is that it’s open to people in Surrey who are 16 and older.
People wonder about their privacy in online forums, and that’s understandable.
City Speaks does not collect personal information.
No one is going to sell your data to a third party.
Online forums aren’t meant to be referendums on individual issues either, but a way of getting more feedback from people who don’t or can’t normally take the time to come to a public hearing.
Hot button issues tend to draw those who are already super engaged. Sometimes they’re NIMBYs, who don’t want any changes in their neighbourhoods.
Or, they have a financial interest in seeing the changes occur.
City Speaks is meant to be for the rest of us. If you live in Surrey, give it a try.
Shachi Kurl is Director of Communications at Vision Critical, a BC-based technology company. VC’s technology is powering City Speaks.
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