REX MONCRIEF
Whether you are a local, state or federal candidate, the impact of social media is here to stay. As a public official or a candidate, you need to reach out to the people, and the most efficient way is social media. Good or bad, social media is popular mainly because of the information flow.
The recent “Snowpocalypse” that hit Bossier City and our area is a case study in the flow of information. With rolling electrical blackouts, little or no water at the faucet, and freezing temperatures, many citizens turned to their mobile devices and social media to get information. After all, your television requires electricity, but your mobile device can be charged in your vehicle if needed. Unfortunately, many of our elected leaders were seemingly absent from the flow.
The Facebook page for the mayor of Bossier City was mainly a series of links to other news articles about the situation. As the roads worsened and the temperatures plummeted, you would think that a good leader would directly address the citizens to give reassuring advice and a plan of action. In our information age, it does not take a news production crew. All that a leader needs is a smartphone and a social media account. The Bossier Parish Police Jury did not do much better. You can take a look at its Facebook page and see for yourself. It is almost as if these established leaders do not yet grasp what the citizens want.
On the other side of the coin, there are many established Facebook groups for our area. These citizen groups were a constant source of information and relief for affected citizens. Neighbors and complete strangers sprang forward to help each other by providing food and water, towing stuck vehicles, coordinating wellness checks, updating road conditions, and orchestrating road clearings by private citizens with their own equipment. One lady from Plain Dealing was walking to work in Benton because her car was iced in. People saw her and coordinated rides for her back and forth to work.
Many of the candidates for office in the upcoming Bossier elections seized the moment, too. Again, by utilizing social media to coordinate food drives, water distribution, grocery availability and getting assistance to those in desperate need, the flow of information and help was in near real time. By doing this, these potential new wave leaders endeared themselves when people needed it most.
Now that the snow and ice have mostly melted and temperatures are returning to normal, there are many things that need to be reviewed in the Bossier area. One is our water distribution, especially to Benton and the outlying areas. Another is keeping the roads in better shape during one of these weather events. Lastly, and arguably most importantly, our leadership needs to review their ability to get the message out. We do live in the information age, and politicians do not really kiss babies any longer.
Reach out to me via rex@smartergeek.com.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE February 26 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.