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Local candidates learn to overcome voters' blog
BY ROSEMARY BOLGER
FIRST it was federal politicians on Face-book, now increasing numbers of tech-savvy councillors and council hopefuls are invading the blogosphere to get an unflltered message to voters.
Municipal Association of Victoria president and Port Phillip councillor Dick Gross predicts that almost every councillor and candidate will have a blog in time for the next election in 2012.
Maroondah councillor Alex Makin pioneered the use of blogs to communicate with
ratepayers. The idea has been embraced by council candidates in the lead-up to next month's election.
Yarra councillor Steve Jolly started a blog under the heading "councillor diary" on the Socialist Party's website when he was elected to the council four years ago. Independent candidate for Melba ward, Ian Quick, has been blogging about Yarra issues for several years.
Cr Gross said candidates needed to devote time to their blogs to make them an effective campaign tool.
"I have the impression candidates who set it up without much experience of blogging
were struggling to keep them up to date," Cr Gross said.
He is considering setting up a Facebook site, which he admits would be mostly maintained by his children.
The MAV is likely to offer training and advice to help future candidates and councillors get on top of technology in time for the next election. Those ahead of the pack this year have the advantage of getting their message directly to the electorate.
"The frustration of public office is you feel that the message is never out there with the nuances you want," Cr Gross said.