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Lexington City Council Reviews Civic Engagement Plan

Stu Johnson

A Lexington organization working to increase citizen engagement in the local government made its case last week to a council committee. 

CivicLex Director Richard Young appeared before the General Government and Social Services Committee.  During his presentation, Young said the need for better understanding and participation is evident. “One of the big issues that we look at when we’re looking around the country right now is this strong mistrust in government.  And, I think a big reason for that is because people on various levels of our democracy don’t feel like they’re being heard.  This would present an opportunity to hear directly from residents about how they want to better engage with Lexington,” said Young. 

Young is asking the council for the go ahead to first survey city employees and citizens about their impressions and then work to develop a new method for engagement.  Young said it’s a system that could be considered post pandemic. 

Committee Chair Susan Lamb said better awareness now can help foster more constituent participation.   “They don’t have to wait until it’s on for second reading and they heard a neighbor talking about it down the street, fussing about it or something of that nature, which is usually what happens, or it comes out in a neighborhood meeting.  And then, all the conversations have taken place, and then, you’ve got somebody that’s adamantly opposed because they didn’t hear all those conversations,” explained Lamb. 

Young says the first step is the survey of city employees and local citizens.  He says the overall aim is to see more public engagement earlier in the process.  The council committee took no action on the request, but plans to revisit the issue. 

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