KCBicyclers,
One idea that can be very helpful in getting the word out about BikeKC is to write brief letters to your local area newspapers, school newspapers, neighborhood newsletters, and other such small publications.
They are almost sure to print (at least an edited version of) whatever you send them. When it appears in print, clip it out & forward it along to some of our KC councilmembers. (It always looks more impressive when it appears in print.)
(Of course, we can & should write to bigger papers like the KCStar--letters@kcstar.com--or Pitch Weekly--feedback@pitch.com or http://www.pitch.com/about/index.html)
For instance, at first I didn't think it would be worth the time to write to our local Raytown newspaper on a KC issue. But then I realized that the Raytown papers take in more than just Raytown proper--they cover Raytown school district, which takes in large areas of Kansas City. Many of the proposed routes are in the area of Raytown schools (some of which are in Kansas City), etc. Papers in Lees Summit, Independence, Grandview, etc., etc. would have similar overlapping coverage.
When I called the Raytown city hall, they even said, "Well, if KC ever gets its bike routes in place, I guess we'll have to get our plan in place to match them." Right now they don't seem to have much of a plan . . . if BikeKC passes, they'll get one.
So if your newspaper borders KC, just point out that the proposal will affect your area, too. And, of course, people who happen to live or work in KC can write the city council on that basis, so invite them to do so.
Local papers often come out only once a week and may have long lead times for letters. For instance, if you send a letter today, the first chance it may have to appear might be a week from Wednesday.
So get writing now or you'll miss your chance!
posted by Brent Hugh at
Sunday, August 25, 2002 |
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