Muse, I don't see why you are so eager to blame the city for the poor attendance when the event was open to everyone. I knew about the event and Im currently living in Toronto. It was all over the Mississauga News and I noticed signs posted around Mississauga for the symposium when visiting my family. I would have been there if I didn't have to work. People have lives. Its hard to get people to come out to events such as these.
Im actually surprised with the 300 number, and the 500 registrations for the original day. Its a lot more than I thought for an event that took place on a single weekend.
Hey there, Tuscan,
To be clear, I'm not blaming Mississauga for the poor attendance. I agree with what you wrote, and would add that they also had these large portable billboards advertising the Visioning Symposium along major routes.
You zeroed in on the problem:
"I would have been there if I didn't have to work. People have lives. Its hard to get people to come out to events such as these."
So. When you schedule an "Our Future Mississauga Conversation" on a Friday from 9:00am to 6:30pm who's your "TARGET-humans"?
It sure ain't you, Tuscan. Who's the TARGET-HUMANS when you schedule 9:00am to 6:30pm on a Friday?
I know retirees were there. I know they had to bribe Youth to be there. I recognized the Usual Suspects --who were there. (I was approached by City not to videotape the crowd even though this was a public meeting. Why? Serious question for you to think about. I say "you" because I know why.)
I agree too that to get 300 of the original 500 is decent during a time change.
But here's the thing. You've now attracted corralled Youth, people "freed" for the day like teachers (I know they were about), government types and Mississaugans with powerful interests in making sure that they got to write on those stickers.
That's the problem I have with it, Tuscan.
It's all SO FAUX.
What I found most bizarre was reviewing the City's "Visioning Symposium" video. Since I videotaped it as it was coming off the Council screen, I have my own copy.
What's striking is the Evangelical Feel to the thing. The rapturous smiles from the facilitators. It's like a pile of people worshipping at the Church-Phenomenal of Mississauga.
There's other stuff but I have to wait on things. My observational time isn't near over yet.
Agreed. Lots of advertising to get people out.
Then again, Mississauga Council meetings are open to the public as well. But does Mississauga really want the public there?
With meetings on Wednesdays at 9:00am?...
It renders those who must work as essentially mute. Other city councils hold their Council meetings in the evenings. For example, Hamilton Council meetings begin at 7:00 PM.
Take home message? Hamilton wants their citizens engaged and inside Council chambers?
Mississauga?.... or any other council doin' the 9:00 thing?...