LETTER: City has communications arm, doesn't need iPolitics

OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to 'Mayor says no conflict exists with city's plans for iPolitics newsletter,' published June 4, and also refers to a poll about Barrie boundary expansion,  

It seems the City of Barrie is taking an expedited, careless and questionable approach to addressing its poor communication with its residents on numerous pressing issues.

Rather than utilizing the city's communication and marketing team to develop and utilize an effective tool for informing residents well in advance of new developments, Barrie has unfortunately fostered a culture of mistrust.

This has left many residents in a state of panic and disillusionment over plans for the waterfront sports park, Rose Street apartments and the annexation of land for an industrial park, all due to the lack of public engagement.

Given the city's perceived lack of public consultation on many developments, they are now pushing for the company iPolitics to assume a role of communicating with the public with a newsletter.

Alarmingly, iPolitics has ties with Mayor Nuttall, raising concerns that the narrative might be skewed and disinformation spread.

This was evident when both the mayor and the city’s communication department misinterpreted the results of an iPolitics publication of a Mainstreet Research poll on the annexation of land. The mayor and city put out statements about this poll, which spread disinformation and tried to achieve the goal of changing the narrative. 

One must question why the city is using iPolitics instead of its own communication team, whose job it is to inform the public, employees and media about city news, programs and services, and to actively engage stakeholders in creating a stronger, more inclusive community.

The city’s staff work with all departments, the mayor, the CAO and city council to develop internal and external strategic communication plans, marketing and promotional materials, and community engagement opportunities.

If the city’s communication team is unable to fulfill its responsibility of disseminating information to residents in a timely manner, then perhaps they should hire a company with no ties to the mayor. This would help restore public trust and ensure transparent communication.