READING AND DISCUSSION
What is your Government? When you think of government you may think of the mayor and the city council, but those are just elected officials. Your local government consists of lots of different divisions and departments filled with citizens like you, working to solve problems and keep the community running smoothly.
What is Local? Typically when we talk about local government we are talking about government that happens below the state level. This can be county, city, municipality, school district, town, or suburb. Some cities have smaller suburban areas that have their own police, fire, and even city councils. They may serve only a very few people. Some people live outside of cities or towns and are primarily affected by the county government.
Why is Local Important? Most of what happens in your daily life happens at the local level. Think about what local government is responsible? (examples: schools, mass transportation, street maintenance, zoning, parks, water treatment, police and fire departments, animal control…
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That is why knowing what your local government does and how you can impact it becomes so important! Many community problems cannot be solved without involving local government at some stage.
Working with a local government. As you can see from the list above, a lot of what government does is dedicated to keeping things working smoothly in your community. This takes a lot of work. It also takes communication from citizens who can explain when something is wrong. This may be something simple like burned out street light. But it also may be very complicated like a problem with police and their relationship to young people. When something doesn’t work right, it is government’s responsibility to work to fix it.
At the same time, government is also dedicated to helping communities improve life wherever possible. This may be a new recycling program, a new park program, or more teachers in schools. So issues can be things that need to be fixed, but they can also be things that need to be improved. Both are a part of what government does.
Navigating Local Government
Local government can often seem like a maze. Who do we go to when there is a problem? The city? They county? The school district? The answer isn’t always clear. Sometimes it takes a lot of research to find the right person to talk to about a problem.
Persistence Pays: Many times we have to make phone calls, send emails, and/or make visits to a government office just to find out if we are solving a problem correctly. But perseverance is the key to success. Some keys to getting help more easily include:
- Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Remember, government employees and public servants are citizens too. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call a local official. Don’t be afraid to admit when you aren’t sure who to talk to. You may get a secretary, but they will often guide you to the right place.
- Learn to phrase your questions clearly. Many problems are complex, and require a 10-page paper to explain them. Learn to have a sound bite or summarizing sentence that can be used to explain your problem in simple terms. Be concise. Don’t give so much information that you overwhelm the person on the other end of the phone.
- Be positive. Have you ever worked as a waiter or in retail? Then you know, nothing puts you in a bad mood like a grouchy customer. Remember that a pleasant attitude will always make people more likely to help you. Even when you get frustrated, it’s important to be cheerful.
- Do some research. Did you know in some cities, criminal reports are on-line? Did you know that after a person dies, wills are public property? Do you know who in the CountyClerk’s office handles elections? Getting on the web or looking in the phone book can help you understand the structure of local government and the services it provides. So much information is available online that you may not even have to make a phone call or a personal visit.
- Understand procedures. Can you just walk into a city council meeting and start talking? Can you apply for a permit on any day? Can you ask for any record you want? Sometimes, sometimes not. Many times there are forms to be filled out to get information or to get something done. There may also be important deadlines. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is a procedure that needs to be followed. You will save yourself a lot of time if you find out ahead of time.
- Get Names. Know who you spoke with so you can refer to them by name when you speak to someone else or if you need to call the same person again. This makes it easier for people to know who you have already been to and where you might need to go. It also makes it easier to call back for clarification.
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