The original item was published from February 6, 2020 3:07 PM to January 8, 2021 9:28 AM
The average American spends 3 hours and 30 minutes on their phone each day.
While research shows most of that time is spent scrolling through social media or watching videos, there is seemingly endless information out there on any topic you can imagine.
That includes Cranberry Township, where a few mobile swipes can put everything you want or need to know at your fingertips.
In the last few months, we’ve worked diligently to make that information easier to find, digest and decipher.
A completely redesigned website with a focus on mobile accessibility and a clean interface was rolled out at the beginning of 2020. A new email blast, Cranberry Central, puts Board of Supervisors actions, events and other news directly into your inbox. The Township maintains a heavy presence on all social media platforms, along with a text alert system that informs residents of breaking news in an instant.
This is all in addition to the traditional media avenues like the quarterly Cranberry Today magazine, bill inserts, brochures, video screens and electronic signage used by the Township Communications Team to share information.
For those who miss the days of old fashioned, face-to-face conversation, the Board of Supervisors meet twice per month. Business is transparently conducted, and residents have a forum to bring any comments or concerns they might have directly to Township leaders. This is in addition to events like the Manager’s Coffees, which address different topics each month.
I don’t point this out to brag.
I point it out to emphasize that the Township emphatically and efficiently uses many tools to communicate with residents.
Still, no amount of work seems to be enough, as we still hear from residents who say they didn’t know about something, or don’t know where to find information.
That is unfortunate. Even more unfortunate is when that perceived lack of information leads to residents assuming the Township is not being transparent. We’d be naïve to think this won’t happen regardless of how much we share.
We’d ask that you take a break from your Instagram feed or next game of Candy Crush and check out what is happening in your community. Better yet, sign up to receive our new email blast at www.cranberrytownship.org/communications.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about Cranberry’s communications. You can reach me at jerry.andree@cranberrytownship.org.