For Immediate Release, Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Contact:  Carrie Shaw (425) 344-1787

Access to Information and Open Government Top Countywide Survey

Respondents give good review on accessing information, public participation

Poor review on county openness and “willingness to listen”

SEATTLE - King Countyʼs nationally recognized Countywide Community Forums (CCF) released today the survey results from Round 5 forums on customer service and public engagement. Results showed people viewed the county as providing opportunities for public engagement and easy access to information, but lacking in a “clear and open” public process and demonstrating a “willingness to listen and to be influenced” through citizen feedback. Of those who had an opinion, about half -- 52 percent -- rated their recent experience with King County as satisfactory or very satisfactory.

To obtain the King County Auditorʼs report and survey demographic information, go to http://tinyurl.com/ccf-reports

“Improving customer service is one of my top priorities, and these survey results provide valuable insights that will help us make government more transparent and accessible, and improve the way we listen to the public,” says King County Executive Dow Constantine, who made “public engagement” a key goal in the King County Strategic Plan that was adopted July 26 by the King County Council. “My thanks to all those who took the time to participate. We will do our part to develop channels of communication that allow all residents to give their input and be heard, while continuing to provide the more traditional face-to-face community meetings that forum participants overwhelmingly say they prefer.”

The report compiles responses from 306 people who either filled out an in-depth survey online, or participated in one of 33 forums hosted throughout King County by volunteers between May 1 and June 13, 2010. The Round 5 topic and questions were chosen jointly by Executive Constantine and the King County Council and titled “Public Trust: Customer Service and Public Engagement.”

Full press release appears below. Google login may be requested: 

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For Immediate Release, Tuesday, July 22, 2010
Contact:  Carrie Shaw (425) 344-1787

Countywide Forums to Tackle Budget Priorities and Taxes
Fall forum results to precede county vote on new sales tax measure and County Council approval of 2011 budget

SEATTLE – King Countyʼs nationally recognized Countywide Community Forums (CCF) announced today the main topic for Round 6 this fall is budget priorities and tax issues. Called “Citizen Priorities for Government in Challenging Economic Times,” the survey will ask county residents to prioritize county services within existing county revenues and look at long-term solutions to ongoing budget shortfalls. Forums throughout King County, and a new online participation model, are scheduled to begin in mid-Sept. To register or learn more go to CommunityForums.org or call toll-free at (800) 369-2584.

“This is a vital and timely topic going into the fall budget process for the county,” says Matt Rosenberg, director of CCF and founder of SocialCapitalReview.org “Setting priorities for government continues to be a topic that CCF participants want to tackle, and with the recent decision by the County Council to place a sales tax increase on the ballot in November, how to deal with the budget shortfall is on many peopleʼs minds.”

Countywide Community Forums is a King County program that gives residents the opportunity to discuss and provide input to county decision-makers on important policy issues like budget priorities, transportation, and public safety. The CCF program is unique because it allows residents to meet online or in person to share ideas about how to make the county better.

Full press release appears below. Google login may be requested:

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Top honors for our Round 5 Forum hosts go to Sharon Scully and Noah Seidel.  Thank you for a job well done!  Enjoy your Anthony's Homeport gift certificate.

Congratulations to the winners of our HOST drawing. Everyone received a $25 Tully's gift certificate -- an iced coffee sounds good right about now --  Melissa Anthony, Julia Bach, Allison Barrett, Fabiola Jimenez, Tammy Lee, Lindsay Palmer, Evan Schmitt, and Linda Stanley.

The heart of the CCF program is our HOSTS.  You too can be a host.  We are gearing up for Round 6 in September and need hosts for forums around the county.  It's fun, it's easy, and we do most of the work.

Countywide Community Forums is King County’s award-winning and innovative public engagement effort. This program is designed to make democracy more user-friendly and to bring the public forum to your kitchen table, neighborhood, and workplace.  Over 2000 people have registered and many are making their opinions count while building stronger connections to their community.