Laserfiche WebLink
LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES <br />300 HANOVER BUILDING <br />480 CEDAR STREET <br /> ST. PAUL, MN 55101 <br /> <br />A Review of Activities for Local Government Da~ <br /> <br />As you may have noticed in discussing plans for observing Local Government Day, <br />most of the activities that can be planned are free or with a nominal cost. <br />Surprisingly, these events probably have the most value in attracting publicity <br />and in reaching numbers of your citizens. <br /> <br />Consider these possibilities: <br /> <br />1. Dedication of a new building, park or development area. <br /> <br />An open house at city hall. Several activities can be included under this <br />general plan: tours of city hall, wastewater plant, fire hall; exhibits of <br />new equipment, demonstrations of a new computer (for instance) or voting <br />machines; a program recognizing the service of long-time city employees; <br />recognition of citizen volunteers on planning commissions and other committees. <br />The occasion could be made more gala by serving refreshments (possibly donated <br />by some local group) or the giving of a souvenir, something specifically <br />meaningful in your community (like a piece of taconite on the Iron Range, for <br />example). <br /> <br />Swap.ping roles. There are several variations on this activity: The mayor can <br />exchange his p6sition for a day with a mayor from a nearby city; the mayor and <br />council can swap jobs with community leaders; high school students can become <br />the "council for a day" (St. Cloud is planning 'to do so) - this can be a <br />learning experience if the students develop their own .agenda in class. <br /> <br />Speaking by city officials. The mayor and council would want to discuss and <br />prepare material for various projects, programs, or developments to present to <br />various community groups. You could speak at luncheon meetings of service <br />clubs; at meetings of the League of Women Voters, garden club, college groups; <br />at school assemblies. You could also get a spot on a local radio or TV program <br />or have a council meeting broadcast on cable TV. <br /> <br />If you have a community college, voc-tech school, or state university in your <br />area, you would want to involve it in any plans you make. Students could be <br />helpful in carrying out your ideas with graphics and other publicity materials. <br /> <br />-A way to spread the word about any p~ogram you have planned or about city services <br />in general is to stuff it in with utility bills. You can reach most of your con- <br />st'ituents this way. <br /> <br />You will probably think of other ways to celebrate - like painting your watertower <br />or something especially your own. Please let the League know what you do. The <br />League hopes you can find some appropriate way to observe the Day. <br /> <br />LK:rn~n <br />9/25/80 <br /> <br /> <br />