HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpeakUpEdina Launch
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Edina Launches New Tool to Engage Residents
Edina, Minn., June 22, 2012 – Do you have an idea that would help improve Edina? Maybe it’s a way to
promote recycling in our parks, or maybe a street that needs bike lanes. Whatever the idea, the City of Edina
wants to hear it on its new civic engagement website, www.SpeakUpEdina.org.
The City of Edina recently launched a new website called “Speak Up, Edina!” The site allows anyone with
internet access to become active in his or her government. It also gives residents the opportunity to voice
their opinions when it is most convenient for them, outside of public meetings.
“As a city government, we don’t know all the problems or ideas people might have to improve Edina,” said
Scott Neal, City Manager. “Through ‘Speak Up, Edina!,’ not only do we get to see what ideas residents have,
but it also gives us a chance to prioritize those ideas.”
The site allows users to comment on and show support for other ideas. Neal says ideas that generate a lot of
conversation and “votes,” though not official, generally show an issue or belief many other people hold in the
community.
Several discussion boards are also set up so visitors can weigh in on some of the projects or programs for
which City staff is looking for input, includingEdina’s recreational facilities, redevelopment in Edina, ways to
make Edina healthier and the City’s 2013 budget.
Here’s how it works: first, visit www.SpeakUpEdina.org and sign up for an account either with your email or
by connecting with Facebook. Next, post your idea or read, vote for and comment on other ideas. Neal said
City staff will monitor ideas that are posted. As staff review, discuss and plan for implementation of ideas,
Speak Up, Edina! users can watch the current status of ideas right on the website.
“The biggest thing residents can do is to participate and continue to be active on this website,” Neal said.
“We want to hear your ideas and will do what we can to make Edina an even better place.”
Speak Up, Edina! Tell the City of Edina wants to know what you think will make it a better place. Participate
at www.SpeakUpEdina.org. For more information, contact the City’s Communications & Technology Services
Department at 952-826-0359.
-30-