Patrick's site not yet a big hit with residents
Victoria Demaria
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: News
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Although Gov. Deval Patrick launched a personal website on which residents can post their concerns -- as a way to extend his grassroots appeal that helped him win the Corner Office -- activists and bloggers have said not enough people have "checked back in" on the site to call it a success yet.
Massachusetts residents can post about issues they find important and vote on others -- gay marriage, gun control, renewable energy and state parks funding all have their own sections -- on DevalPatrick.com, which was re-launched last month so people can "check in" with state politics, as Patrick describes on the website.
Avi Green, executive director of non-partisan voting rights organization MassVOTE, said the blogs are a free forum for concerned citizens.
"If a politician has an email list or blog, it's another way to send their info out to the people," he said. "But the trick is, what I think Patrick is trying to do: How often do politicians use the Internet to listen? I hope it encourages other people to get involved with politicians, with reality."
Users are competing to get the most votes for their pet projects and, consequently, the governor's attention, Green added, but cautioned that Patrick should not rely too heavily on the website because it is still unavailable to many low-income residents less likely to use the Internet.
"This is an add-on," he said, "not a substitute."
Eastham resident Joe Bayne said his strong belief that the commonwealth has a pressing need to convince reluctant residents to accept the Cape Wind offshore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, which is currently under federal review, motivated him to post the issue "making renewable energy work in the commonwealth."
"I don't think forcing these technologies is really an acceptable way of proceeding, so I'm seeking ideas for ways of educating people," he said, adding much local opposition stems from misinformation. Bayne has described the response to his post as "strong," because it has received 366 votes on the site. "I am hopeful that we will eventually bring forward suggestions for the governor to consider in terms of possible legislative initiatives."
Massachusetts residents can post about issues they find important and vote on others -- gay marriage, gun control, renewable energy and state parks funding all have their own sections -- on DevalPatrick.com, which was re-launched last month so people can "check in" with state politics, as Patrick describes on the website.
Avi Green, executive director of non-partisan voting rights organization MassVOTE, said the blogs are a free forum for concerned citizens.
"If a politician has an email list or blog, it's another way to send their info out to the people," he said. "But the trick is, what I think Patrick is trying to do: How often do politicians use the Internet to listen? I hope it encourages other people to get involved with politicians, with reality."
Users are competing to get the most votes for their pet projects and, consequently, the governor's attention, Green added, but cautioned that Patrick should not rely too heavily on the website because it is still unavailable to many low-income residents less likely to use the Internet.
"This is an add-on," he said, "not a substitute."
Eastham resident Joe Bayne said his strong belief that the commonwealth has a pressing need to convince reluctant residents to accept the Cape Wind offshore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, which is currently under federal review, motivated him to post the issue "making renewable energy work in the commonwealth."
"I don't think forcing these technologies is really an acceptable way of proceeding, so I'm seeking ideas for ways of educating people," he said, adding much local opposition stems from misinformation. Bayne has described the response to his post as "strong," because it has received 366 votes on the site. "I am hopeful that we will eventually bring forward suggestions for the governor to consider in terms of possible legislative initiatives."