Northwood mayoral candidate Dave Gallaher is setting up a page on Facebook, a social networking service and website, to provide residents with information regarding the issues and to receive input from the public about their own concerns.

“I hope to be able to keep in touch a little quicker and be able to get the correct information to people who are looking for it,” said Gallaher, who is running for mayor this fall.

Gallaher started his own webpage when he ran against Mayor Mark Stoner four years ago.

“The reason that whole site started was to get the minutes of the council meetings up on the Internet,” said Gallaher, who had met some resistance from city officials when he wanted to post them on the city’s website.

It also gave him a platform on which to discuss the issues and provided a way to inform the public on matters before council.

“I thought that would be good for residents who didn’t have time to attend council meetings,” he said. “If they weren’t interested in going to meetings, that’s okay, but if they didn’t have the time, they should have access to that.”

When the city finally posted the meeting minutes on its website, Gallaher’s website came down.

“Once the minutes got up on the Internet, then my website was finished. I really didn’t need it then,” he said.

This time around, Gallaher’s vehicle to communicate with the public is through Facebook, which his daughter had suggested.

“Long term, the direction of the city has to be guided by residents’ input. It’s not a one horse show. We, the city, need input from the residents because what may appear to be a fantastic idea to me may not be what the residents want. Are they going to be able to take advantage of some of the things we do, or is it something where there’s not going to be any interest at all. That’s going to be a big part of it, getting the input. If I’m fortunate enough to be elected mayor, I want to develop a plan and share it with the city so everyone knows what our priorities are. This will give us some direction. I think people are operating day to day in the city. That’s something that needs to be better organized with input from the public, which I hope to do,” he said.

Gallaher’s Facebook page can be accessed by downloading www.facebook.com and typing Dave A. Gallaher in the search box.

Mayor’s `moment’
Giving access to the public to discuss issues is nothing new to Stoner, either.

Residents can regularly meet with him to discuss their concerns during “A moment with the Mayor,” which are scheduled throughout the city.

“I’ve held them for years,” said Stoner.

He has scheduled them on Election Day to take advantage of voters headed to the polls, at the fire stations, and various other locations in the city, he said.

“In the first quarter, I might hold it at Fire Station No. 1, then in the spring I try to have one at Central Park, hoping that the weather cooperates,” said Stoner.

“I try to have it two times on the east side, twice on the west side, then in the parks in a more relaxed atmosphere when the weather is good,” he added.

Oftentimes the city administrator and police chief accompany him to respond to residents’ inquiries.

The most recent meeting was held last month at the shelter house in Brentwood Park.

“It was a beautiful day. It was cooler. We just sat on picnic tables under the shelter house. Whoever had a question, we answered it,” he said.

Among the various topics he’s addressed include concerns about increased water rates and zoning issues, he said.

“We did have one where a resident was concerned about parking on the grass, which is not allowed,” he said. “It can be about anything. Sometimes people come just to hear what other people have to day.”

Residents can also request private meetings to discuss matters, he said.

“If someone wants to meet me at a specific time, and remain confidential, we can accommodate that, too,” said Stoner, who also emphasized that the public did not have to wait for “A Moment with the Mayor,” to talk to him about their concerns.

“They can call me at the municipal complex. We’re pretty open with our residents whenever they have a question or a problem. I started “A Moment with the Mayor” to give people a more open forum to address issues and an opportunity to meet me one on one. It is a dedicated time set aside just for residents.”

Stoner can be reached at the municipal complex by calling 693-9327 or 690-1600.

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