City of Toledo starting to push Facebook page

5/15/2012

Social media fans can now access news and information about the City of Toledo on Facebook.

The city started up a Facebook page last month, but it’s only now starting to gain traction, city spokesman Jen Sorgenfrei said.

The site offers the latest news and information about the city of Toledo, including upcoming events and current projects, as well as photos of city landmarks. Residents are encouraged to offer their feedback and ideas on the site, although profanity, spam, business solicitations, and political advertisements are prohibited.

“It’s yet another vehicle to communicate with the public and engage them in discussion in a way that press conferences and news releases don’t,” Ms. Sorgenfrei said. “It’s a good way to get the smaller stories out there that may not get mainstream media coverage but we think are still important things that our citizens will want to know about.”

As of Tuesday morning, the site had 44 “likes.” Ms. Sorgenfrei urged more city residents to explore and “Like” the page, and to comment on posts.

“We want to know what people like seeing on the page, what they find helpful,” the spokesman said. “It definitely has benefits to communicating a fast message that people need to know right away, and also some of the more positive, lighthearted things that we have an opportunity to do as a city.”

The city of Toledo is also redesigning its Web site, which should launch soon. The new site will retain the same content as before, but be easier to navigate, Ms. Sorgenfrei said.

To access the new Facebook page sign in at www.facebook.com and search for “City of Toledo.”