CITY BEGINS TWEETING

 

Sarasota, FL:  The City of Sarasota will soon add the free social network Twitter to its many methods of communicating with residents.  The City will begin sending short messages, known as tweets, Mon., February 23, 2009.

The City plans to tweet news releases, holiday closings, changes in the solid waste collection schedule, new programming on Access Sarasota and other messages pertinent to City of Sarasota residents.  “We’re excited about tweeting,” said Public Information Officer Jan Thornburg.  “Many municipalities are discovering it’s an effective tool.  Just recently, Oklahoma City used Twitter to keep their residents informed during a severe ice storm.  It will have many uses and I hope people start following the City of Sarasota on Twitter,” said Thornburg.

Tweets are limited to 140 characters, so the messages will be succinct, many times directing people to a webpage link for more detailed information.   

By offering tweets as a method of staying informed, the City of Sarasota continues to be on the cutting edge, using advanced technology to communicate with residents.  The City was one of the first municipalities in the area to launch a website.  More recently, in 2006, the City Auditor and Clerk’s Office, which oversees public information and the website, began offering meetings on demand, allowing residents to view live or archived City Commission meetings on-line.

Visitors to the City’s homepage www.sarasotagov.com also will be able to follow the City’s tweets by reading a list of every message which has been disseminated.  To learn more about Twitter and to register for City of Sarasota tweets, visit the City’s homepage and click on the Twitter icon or visit www.twitter.com   There is no cost to register.

 

 

For more information, please contact:
Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com