Happy new year!
Okay, I'm doing this thing - a newsletter for Arran-Elderslie
Happy new year! I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season and are managing this latest cold snap alright. It’s certainly cold and snowy here in Paisley!
With the turn of the calendar, I have been thinking about the year ahead and reflecting on our accomplishments over these last two years in Arran-Elderslie. There is much we can be proud of — new elevators in the municipal office and Paisley Townhall, a new sidewalk to Rotary Park in Tara, the 25th anniversary celebration, and Paisley Library relocation are just a few.
There is something I continually hear from people though.
“I didn’t even know that was happening!”
This was a top concern I heard from people when I was campaigning. And while it’s upon all of us to inform ourselves, the current media landscape doesn’t make it easy. We don’t have much for local news coverage and word of mouth and social media have their challenges.
Many community groups now rely almost exclusively on Facebook. Dedicated volunteers help share the message on the Paisley, Chesley and Tara Facebook Pages, but it’s an ongoing fight to get eyeballs. Especially with Meta’s algorithm prioritizing sponsored posts and 'click-bait’ content over the stuff your friends and contacts share. Information is just not getting out or not getting out on time. How many times have you seen an event AFTER it’s happened? This happens to me weekly.
Many times I have thought, “someone should start a newsletter.” “We should have a newsletter.” “A newsletter would be so great.”
Well, I can start a newsletter.
And I hemmed (or is it himmed?) and hawed if I had the time and energy to do this. Then, I decided to just go for it!
Welcome to The Back Porch Brief!
This little newsletter is going to be sent out at least bi-weekly. There will be updates on what’s happening at Council and in the municipality, including capital projects (roads, bridge, building repairs, etc.) and general information that’s good to know for living here.
I am also assembling together a list of events, of which I will include a snapshot with each email. This isn’t meant to replace other event calendars - the Municipality has a great one to check out and add your events too- but to help better inform folks about what’s going on. Because there’s a lot happening in Allenford, Tara, Chesley & Paisley and area!!
My wish is this gives you a little bit more information, at your fingertips (in your inbox) about what’s happening. Because the better informed we all are, the more dialogue and opportunity to make our community even better. Plus, a little less social media would be good for all of us. I also really enjoy this format. I love writing. I don’t love Facebook.
Finally, as I put on my “About” Page, I am not intending for this to be political. It’s about sharing information. That said, I am a politician, as much as that word is ick these days, and I am human. I have opinions and I have bias. It’s not possible to never have bias and there may be times, I share my opinion. I will try to be clear that’s what it is and I will also reiterate, it’s my opinion. Nothing I write or share here is representative of the whole of Council. I’m just one member at the table. This also isn’t endorsed by Council or staff. It’s just a place I’m hoping to share what’s happening.
If you want to follow along and get my updates in your email inbox, you can hit the subscribe button below. I would be so grateful and thank you for checking it out!
~ Jen