(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 12, 2018 - 3:26 PM
KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops has launched a trial website that allows residents to have their say on various city matters and projects.
The city's communication manager Wendy Heshka says the trial launch of a community engagement website called Kamloops - Let's Talk was launched this morning, June 12, and will allow residents to reach out and provide input electronically when they aren't able to attend public meetings or open houses.
"We have arranged to do a test for six months," Heshka says, adding that they have already noticed some glitches and will be working on fixing defects as they arise.
The purpose is to engage citizens so they can contribute ideas on their own schedule.
"Citizens can go online and share their favourite things about their neighbourhood," she says. "It's not just a spot for feel-good things, it's also for controversial hot topics as well."
Heshka says the website will work in parallel to open houses and public meetings.
"We don't want to replace open houses with this, because face-to-face (communication) is invaluable," she says. "This is a way for the community to participate on their own schedule... not everyone can make it out to meetings or has a couple hours to spare."
Heshka says the registration process is simple and people can use any name.
The city is paying a license fee of $6,000 for the six-month trial, which ends in November, and if the website becomes permanant the annual fee would be $19,000.
To check out the city's Kamloops - Let's Talk go here.
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