Either side blames the other for the lack of communication or the lack of proper community participation in public decision making forums. Newport is no exception. I have lived in the City of Newport for four years and have learned the importance of following up on heresay to the point of having difficulty separating rumors from press releases. As economic development increases and more decisions are made faster in the upcoming years, both the communities within Newport and the city itself need to make a concerted effort to open lines of obvious and clear communication to preserve healthy relations. Community points of view need to be regularly reiterated to the City so that commissioners and City Staff are certain that they understand their constituent's point of view.
Venues are in place to facilitate that communication.
Neighborhoods and organizations alike throughout the City have newsletters and web pages set up to inform the community. If the City does not use these easy to access forms of communication, the public may become suspicious of City leaders and decision makers. With that in mind, I invite the City of Newport to publish any upcoming public hearing or policy changes that might impact our communities in the Mansion Hill Flyer so that at least that community may be better informed as to scheduled public hearings. Hopefully such opportunities will be extended by other organizations, opening communications and diminishing the rumors that so often circulate about the City's ongoing economic development. The Mayor and Board of Commissioners thanked Mr. Dixon for his comments.