www.alliance.napawash.org/ALLIANCE/ALLIANCE.NSF/e383343 -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 10/13/1999
Last Visited: 2/1/2001
After several years of trying to interest the traditional media in stories about government, Svacina chose a different approach.City Page is the primary vehicle Fort Worth uses to communicate policy initiatives to its citizens.This nonpolitical one-page advertisement placed every Monday in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and in some African-American and Hispanic newspapers, covers News and Information About City Government. The ad costs $ 1, 200 for the space in the Star-Telegram.A recent ad addressed ozone emission control, education initiatives, and bulk trash pickup.Though much of City Page is devoted to conveying new laws and regulations, some of the articles discuss reinvention initiatives.The May 25, 1998 issue, for example, discusses Fort Worth's proactive ozone reduction approach that equipped about 800 vehicles to run on propane.Svacina purchases an additional page when there is a hot topic to discuss.City Page began in 1994 after the National Civic League named Fort Worth an All American City.Former mayor Kay Granger wanted to create a vehicle to spread the word about government's accomplishments.City Page has now grown into a multi-media enterprise.A video version is produced for broadcast on cable television, which has 70, 000 subscribers.A recent citizen survey indicates that 60 percent of cable subscribers have seen the show.The same survey showed that 90 percent of the readers of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram also read the City Page.
...
Svacina also uses material in City Page to produce radio shows targeted for different demographic groups, such as African-American, Hispanic, and Evangelical Christian citizens.City Page is sent to all 70 community centers to reach those who do not receive news from the traditional media.In addition, City Page is posted on Fort Worth's Internet page at ci.fortworth.tx.us/fortworth/p / citypage/newcitypage.htm/.According to the survey, 38 percent of the city's citizens use the Internet.The annual budget for City Page and its spin-offs is $ 150, 000.The cost of cable TV production is borne by subscribers.Unlike traditional advertising and media coverage, City Page provides citizens updates on government initiatives.
...
Article contacts : Rick Davis, Charlotte Corporate Communications Department, 704-336-2395, fax 704-336-6587, e-mail : psrad@ mail.charmeck.nc.us ; Julie Hill, Charlotte Corporate Communications Director, 704-336-4098, fax 704-336-6587, e-mail : CMJEH@ mail.charmeck.nc.us ; Chad Hutson, Spokane Public Information Specialist, 509-324-3268, fax 509-324-7664, e-mail : chutson@ spokanecounty.org ; Pat McCrory, Mayor, Charlotte, 704-336-2241, fax 704-336-6644 ; Pat Svacina, Fort Worth Public Information Officer, 817-871-6415, fax 817-871-6134, e-mail : svacinp@ ci.fort-worth.tx.us ; John Turcotte and Gena Wade, OPPAGA, 850-488-0021, fax 850-487-3804, e-mail : turcotte.john@mail.oppaga. state.fl.us or wade.gena@mail.oppagga.state.fl.