BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Independence Township was honored for excellence in community service for its Web site, www.clarkstoncalendar.org, on Jan. 28 at the Michigan Township Association Annual Educational Conference in Lansing.
Given to honor the resourcefulness and ingenuity of township governments, the township received the first ever community service award from the MTA.
Launched in January 2003, the online calendar is a joint effort between the township, the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce and Clarkston Community Schools. Each group updates information pertinent to their activities.
‘What we have is a very usable Web site that’s non-commericial,? Penny Shanks, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said in response to the award. ‘It’s really about what’s happening in the community.?
Part of the original hope of the calendar was to cut the $10,000 cost of printing outdated paper calendars by each of the three entities involved. With an original launch cost of $3,900, that goal was met.
‘The money saving is phenomenal,? Dave Kramer, Director of Information Technology and Assessing for Independence Township, said at a recent meeting. ‘It’s so much more efficient.?
The application for the award was put together by township clerk Joan McCrary in November 2003. Detailed accounts of what the site provided to residents, as well as statistics on usage from IGD Solution’s Steve Hyer, were compiled to demonstrate its dedication to community service.
‘While at the conference, people from other townships were saying what a great idea it was,? McCrary said.
McCrary thought the Web site could have applied to any of the contest’s seven categories, but especially in the divisions of constituent communications, intergovernmental relations or community service, the category it eventually received recognition for.
In a letter from MTA’s public affairs liaison Karen Hildebrant, the Web site’s ‘efforts to utilize cutting edge technology for the benefit are to be commended.? McCrary hopes that the award will give even more attention to the area’s hard work.
‘People will listen more carefully now that we have an award,? McCrary said.
The committee was impressed by some of the site’s facts, such as its low cost to operate and lack of pop up ads or political material.
‘It’s about people being able to work together,? McCrary said. McCrary has not heard of any other joint community information ventures with other townships.
Site usage is well above where it was when it debuted a year ago, according to Hyer. He found that the average time spent on the calendar is about 70 seconds, leading him to believe that people really get what they need from the site.
In addition to being recognized at MTA’s Annual Educational Conference, the township will also be featured in the March 2004 issue of ‘Michigan Township News?.