An experiment with Twittering local government

« What did you do on Election Day? | Home | I am running for Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee (updated). »

November 11, 2008

An experiment with Twittering local government

There I sat, silenced phone in hand, waiting for the dramatic debates, the earnest appeals, and the climax to a saga that has captured our city's attention for quite some time.

There I sat, mere moments later, after the pledge had been recited and a prayer had been offered, tapping my phone's touch screen feverishly, trying to keep up with a rapid agenda shuffle and a vote that happened so fast, the excitement never even had a chance to build.

After that, it was mostly zoning requests and departmental reports. I'm not sure Twitter is the best medium for conveying those happenings, but it was, as I said, an experiment. Here is the log, copied and pasted from http://twitter.com/TNTicket.

thought District 5 transfer was done earlier, but L Shockley seated on dais, R Gilbert in house (Edit: it's because the vote has not been yet certified.)
EPB ordinance moved up, being voted now
unanimous approval for EPB franchise
telecom industry reps just left, having done press prior to session
zoning requests now
development being discussed would be by E Brainerd Rd at King Arthur, near Gunbarrel (Edit: the side street is Panorama, not King Arthur)
Property has sat, cleared but undeveloped, for 8 years
lone opposition to apt development is Lana Sutton, whose property has itself been in the news (Edit: see Ms. Sutton's opinion piece in the Chattanoogan today)
new traffic light would go in if approved, E Brainerd at Panorama (Edit: this may be just for construction period?)
proponents praise developer and property owner for working with surrounding community
rezoning from R1 to R3 passes, large number of supporters now leaving
now on to proposed animal hospital by Ooltewah High School
school board member Chester Bankston opposes
small town alert: I know, and have played French horn with, the veteranarian who opposes the new vet; no further comment on this one
2 zoning requests deferred, Central Baptist project passes
1.1 million dollar HVAC renovations for Development Resource Center passes
heavy topic now: what day to take off for the holidays (Edit: they ended up taking both, December 23 and December 30)