Local government is often ignored until it’s a big deal, and then it’s too late. Multiple examples have cropped up in the Twin Cities in the past few months, showcasing the importance of ongoing coverage of local government meetings.
- Maplewood: City Council fast-tracked the hiring of a new city manager without an open hiring process or any community input, over the vocal objections of two council members.
- Lake Elmo: City Council fired the city administrator and a council member resigned in protest.
- Woodbury: City Council broke the law when it suspended its school resource officer (SRO) program during a closed meeting.
- Farmington: A Farmington school board meeting ended with tension and a police presence after a heated exchange over LGBTQ+ signs in classrooms.
We only know about these stories because local media swooped in to cover the aftermath. That’s great. It’s better than no coverage at all. But it’s not good enough.
The Value of Local Coverage
Since the very beginning, West St. Paul Reader has prioritized coverage of local government meetings. Not just when something big happens, but even the mundane updates. That may sound dull, but steady, constant coverage brings transparency to local government and raises the bar for our local elected officials and government staff. That ongoing coverage gives context and history that is otherwise absent when news coverage can only swoop in to cover a crisis.
We have that in West St. Paul, and now ISD 197, thanks to our dedicated members. Make sure it continues by joining now and supporting this work.
