Fix the City Web Site, Please

I must concur with Dr. Yood when he calls for improvements on the city web site.

The current site represents an upgrade from the original, but such a site needs constant monitoring for correct information as well as prompt deletion of outdated notices. The person who maintains it should have enough awareness of city schedules to know, for example, that the Planning Board does not meet on Sundays.

In 2010, Chris Payne set forth a number of goals that are noted in the Plaintalker post "Just DoIT," a play on Payne's acronym for the Division of Information Technology. Many have been accomplished. The web site address now has the proper domain, .gov instead of .com and there is a citywide telephone notification system. The web site was overhauled, tested and refined with additions such as listings of Agencies, Boards & Commissions and links to the Charter and Municipal Code. However, with a new administration and different titles in play, the web site needs another overhaul.

For example, the title of Deputy City Administrator is a cabinet-level position and, especially because it is the link for economic development, deserves prominence. Currently, someone looking for this person has to know enough to choose "Departments," then follow a link to "Public Works & Urban Development" then go to "Divisions" and finally look under "Economic Development."

People have complained about the television schedules not being current and under "News About Plainfield," there are several notices dating back to May. The erroneous calendar under "Notice of Special Meetings" was picked up by the new plai-do.com website, Sunday Planning Board meetings and all.

The Mapp administration has announced an intention to change the web site to make it more user-friendly, but as with other initiatives it needs City Council support. The branches seem increasingly at odds and casting blame will not bring about the collegiality needed for positive change.

Last week, City Council President Bridget Rivers announced a council-administration retreat. If it can smooth out relations between the branches of government and create more middle ground on spending for such things as better public communication, it would be a good thing. Residents want information and will use public or private online means to get it. But unless it is consistently accurate, it will be discounted and ignored.