If you’re one of the seven people that watch the monthly televised Media Borough Council meetings, or one of the fewer that attend in person, you may have seen a new service launched by Media Borough called Public Stuff. Even if you have heard of Public Stuff, you were probably not well informed, like most of us, on what it does and how it could help with a host of day-to-day issues (pot-holes, graffiti, street lights, etc) that can occur in any town. Same thing happened when credit card readers were integrated into the parking meters. They just showed up one day with many having questions on how they operate.
Basically, the concept of Public Stuff is to allow residents and businesses an easy way to report major and minor nuisances via a website or by using a custom mobile app on your smartphone. For those who still like to call these problem into the borough, you can still do it that way or through email. For those who’d like to give this service a try, you can download the app for your smartphone here.
If Media borough council can't convey and share with the community something as simple as instructions on a new service, then what's the point. They could have easily had a comprehensive write-up w/video on their site but they don't even know how to effectively use that....even after spending over $10,000 to upgrade it.
It appears you have to sue these people in order to have a judge tell them what to do. They won't figure it out on their own.
ReplyDeleteHELL O!
ReplyDeleteGee, wonder if enough people send photos of that 'major nuisance', a closed Third Street, if council will ever address that?
ReplyDeleteThe actual ongoing "nuisance" (literally) is the Swim Club's blocking of the drain on the dam to keep the lake level at full pool, even after repeated attempts by the DEP to keep it lowered. Why do Media Police not cite the club for this???
DeletePERFECT!!! to anonymous 1/9/14 @ 8:14 am
ReplyDeleteIt has nothing to do with technology, it's about having the management ability and backboneto get it done. None of which this council has.
ReplyDeleteThey know what the issues are!
lemme guess, the guy with the laptop at council meetings who can't come up with any ideas that aren't technology/computer related came up with this useless plan? Does he still spend his time at council meetings watching Turkish Porn on that laptop of his?
ReplyDeleteWhat a pathetic idea. If residents have an issue or problem around town, Media is small enough not to require something as ridiculous as an app to inform Borough Management, it should be done the correct AND efficient way - making a phone call. Council should be smart enough to promote the personal touch, not this form of 'slacktivism'. The way we're going, council will start voting in favor of bills based on the amount of "likes" they get on facebook.
I stand corrected, council already does rely on Facebook likes. I've been informed that our local urban TERRORIST group has a Facebook page.
DeleteFirst off, take you negativity elsewhere, dude.
DeleteSecondly, if Media is going to continue to be a top location for businesses and residents, this kind of Web 2.0 connectivity is critical.
ok "dude"...
DeleteThis town isn't a square mile in area. EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is within walking distance of Borough Hall. A Phone call can lead to someone coming to look at the situation within an hour, but we're replacing the personal touch in a small town with, let's repeat it, slacktivism, led by a guy with no real leadership qualities or original thought, who, lets be honest, wouldn't be able to contribute in any other way if there wasn't a technology committee.
Whoever downloads this app, be sure to send daily pictures of the following:
1) Bridge to nowhere at 3rd Street
2) Wasted Development Opportunities On Baltimore Pike and Rt 252 (Local Economy and Development is broke)
3) Unshoveled sidewalks around 3rd and West during storms
On another note, I wouldn't be surprised if this app also collects personal information for our almighty council.
Thank you Steve. It is good to know that the philistine faction of media is still alive and kicking. I wonder if you had the same resistance to cell phones and DVRs and HDTVs and other now ubiquitous technologies? Nothing like trashing technology in favor of a baseless and unsupported conclusion that the “correct and efficient” way to do something would be to make a phone a call. Really? That is a wonderful opinion. But of course it is impossible for you to actually back that up with any kind of empirical data, especially since you seem utterly opposed to trying a new technology that would give you some comparison data. My line of work actually comes across citizen engagement and 311 applications a good bit and the general thought in the local government, federal government and consumer markets is that these applications are a good thing for the public – these apps allow citizens an easy way to engage with and be part of their government. They provide a hands-on, immediate, consistent and easy to use technology platform for reporting issues. And the flip side – where they are really becoming useful to the public – is when the governments provide transparency into the volume and type of incidents being reported via the app: for example, a website that would show top service requests by type, number of closed service requests, open issues, a map of reported incidents, etc. Seeing that information is what YOU want. You would love it. Of course it is up to the local government to provide that transparency and THAT is where you should focus your attention and vitriol. Why bash an application that is meant to provide an easy means for the public to engage with and hold accountable their elected officials? Why not instead embrace the technology for what it is and hold the elected officials accountable for providing transparency into the types of issues being reported via the app? Because it is a whole lot easier to report off of data received digitally through an app like this than it is to report off of incoming phone calls. It just seems like you are arguing or the sake of arguing without realizing that this is actually a good thing and a perfect avenue for forcing our local officials to be more open.
DeletePhilistine? Really?
DeleteCC .......top notch location for business....last time i checked there are TWO VACANT store fronts on State Street both in prime locations. Pretty top notch for business......hate to see what you call bad.
DeleteMedia boro council will make this a ghost town for anything that's not a bar/restaurant/take out place/nail salon with in the next three years. But hey we still get to enjoy Super sunday and the Great Media Garbage sale once a year. Right
@anon 1/9/14 4:20 PM.
DeleteWOW! Two whole store fronts are empty! THREE if you count Blueberry Bog going out of business. And one of those businesses stayed in town (Starry Eyed) and only moved 2 blocks. Businesses come and go for a lot of reasons. Charlie's and Sassy Girl were replaced quickly, and we'll see what new businesses pop into those currently vacant ones come spring time. If you're that worried about a future ghost town, why don't you sell your house and move now?
You know what Tedman, this used to be a good place to get information on "all things Media, PA" but your constant bitching and complaining is now just plain depressing. How about you be part of the solution instead of just complaining about everything like a sore loser? You could have written this post as "Hey! Look at this new service available to the residents of Media!" instead of the "borough council sucks" story that you posted. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments. But don't forget, by a 2-1 edge in the November elections, the residents voted this same group into office again. Not me of course.
ReplyDeleteUrban TERRORISTS! 'Slacktivism'! Laptops! Turkish Porn! "Likes" on Facebook! Send in the Judges, let's file a lawsuit! This town is going to the DOGS, I tell you, and worst yet, the FrOGS! Pretty soon we'll have green waste stations just to cater to the messes of the FrOGS and all their credit-card parking, cell phone snapping related species!!! This is Madness, I tell you, MADNESS.....
ReplyDeleteOnly in Media, PA by ill-advised democratic voters could Brian Hall be the president of anything. The guy couldn't run a lemonade stand. Paul Robinson should take the helm.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous at 8:14 and 8:27 - I think we should "swamp" their cable / internet lines with multiple pictures of the bridge and we can include where the WAWA should be built and the blight of the area where the hotel was to be built Maybe then they would see where their priorities SHOULD BE!!
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous @ 9:26 wish there were more like minds such as yours and mine (re not me of course)
To anonymous 1/9/14 8:58 am Debbie Downer??? Are you kidding me??? As someone "who has no say on or about Borough politics" but enjoys (?) sitting back and reading blogs such as this seems to me anonymous the truth must bother you...
ReplyDeleteAnd don't be a coward - show your face whoops I mean your name...
Uh-oh....I think you got her angry....
ReplyDeleteHardly! What part of the truth don't you understand to you as well ANONYMOUS 1/9/14 12:35p - apparently you're afraid or better yes ashamed to put your name to your comments as well! Shame!! Shame!! Shame!!
DeleteMaybe they don't crave attention like you
DeleteThanks for sharing Tedman. The Media Borough website did have a write up on the service:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaborough.com/community/media-mobile-request-system-residents
It's no surprise to hear about the service at ATM first. This blog probably has a more of an audience than a Borough website. To the readers coming here for information: be aware that there is content here that should be categorized as editorial opinion. We are too intelligent to get all of our news from politicians. I believe Tedman is a Media resident first, but remember he is a politician second. I agree with CC's comment. I dislike the negative spin. We appreciate your ideas Tedman - it’s your right and every voice deserves to be heard, but the "spin" is making me a little dizzy.
Bridge scandal in New Jersey...... Interesting!
ReplyDeletePolitical greed closes bridge in New Jersey - EMS can not get to heart attack victim - Victim dies
DeletePolitical self centeredness AND greed keep bridge between Media and Upper Providence closed - EMS can not get to heart attack victim living in the McMansion Woodlands of Upper Providence - Victim - well you finish the sentence
The current plan for the 3rd Street Bridge allows for two-way emergency vehicle traffic. Seems to solve the concern about the time an emergency vehicle could go from Media Borough to that general Kirk area neighborhood in Upper Prov.
DeleteI'm not sure I would call having emergency vehicles rush the wrong way over a bridge and one-way street a plan. My initial reaction to this plan is that its foolish, dangerous, and a recipe for an accident. Has anyone bothered to consult with the emergency responders who would have to travel this way to get to an emergency? While the CAC was meeting, Borough Council expressly prevented any input from the Chief of Police and fire company. Has this changed? I'll defer to their judgment if they are willing to go on record stating that they will direct emergency responses from Media Borough into UPT and stand corrected. Until then, I stand by my initial reaction.
DeleteDave Daniel
Bridge scandal in Media.....tooooooooooooooooooooooo long!!!
ReplyDeletePrivate country club sues Borough to squeeze even more taxpayer dollars for private lake and maintenance of high hazard dam. Cheered on by political allies .....
ReplyDelete