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Every October, my neighborhood cul-de-sac transforms overnight. Campaign yard signs sprout like autumn weeds, and retrieving the mail requires a two-handed lift just to haul inside the stack of political flyers.
It is peak election season in California. The civic static is dialed up to eleven. For city managers and public information officers, this time of year brings a familiar headache: National and statewide rhetoric becomes deafening and somehow even potholes take on a blue or red tinge.
But the truth is that local government has the greatest chance to survive the political rhetoric and instill some level of confidence in public institutions.
While political action committees spend millions stoking emotion and chasing short-term headlines, local government operates on a frequency of quiet utility and earned trust. Reminding residents of the steady progress being made to ensure toilets flush, streets are smoothed and graffiti is abated is critical to daily quality of life experiences. Ultimately, the average American is far more impacted by their city government than the federal government – short of conscription and a homeland war. Residents need unvarnished facts that address their daily questions and concerns. Whether it’s an update on a road repaving schedule, a reminder about fall park programs or transparent numbers on a local ballot measure, consistent communication serves as the ultimate grounding wire for a community.
In times of high civic noise, being a calm, reliable source of truth is your agency’s greatest asset. Keep your messaging simple, responsive and data-driven. When campaign yard signs are in the recycling bin come November, the relationships and trust you build with your residents will stay put.
In local government we trust,
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