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Newsletter of the Municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya with Attached Questionnaire
Municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya
Background
The idea to publish the newsletter originated from the desire to improve the exchange of information between the municipal administrators about the processes and phenomena in the separate mayoralties as well as the information supplied to the population about the decisions, viewpoints, intentions and activities of the authorities. The first two issues came out in 1992 after which, due to various reasons, the publication was interrupted. By the end of 1998 the publication was resumed as a response to the improved information system, which uses the municipal mayor s office.
The idea to publish the newsletter originated from the desire to improve the exchange of information between the municipal administrators about the processes and phenomena in the separate mayoralties as well as the information supplied to the population about the decisions, viewpoints, intentions and activities of the authorities. The first two issues came out in 1992 after which, due to various reasons, the publication was interrupted. By the end of 1998 the publication was resumed as a response to the improved information system, which uses the municipal mayor s office.
Practice
The Municipal Newsletter is addressed both to the citizens of the Municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya, and to the municipal officials. The number of printed copies is 7,000. It should be noted that socially disadvantaged citizens distribute the Newsletter directly to the mailboxes of the households in the municipality. These people receive social benefits for the service. I.e. the Newsletter reaches directly each family. The Newsletter format is A4, 8 pages and the seventh and eighth pages are a questionnaire with 11 questions. The idea is to create better links between the authorities and the citizens as well as to find a better way to respond to the specific needs of the citizens.
The questionnaire contains three types of questions: about the services provided by the municipality, about the services provided by the mayoralties on the territory of the municipality, as well as the invariable question: - "What would you like to read in the next issue?" About 7-8 per cent of the questionnaires are returned to the municipality, filled in by the most active citizens. Though theoretically the return percentage should be 17-20 per cent, the municipal authorities still have not reached this figure. This is partially due to the predominant illiteracy among the Roma population. The municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya has attempted to improve the unequal situation by identifying the literate Roma who could help their fellow citizens fill in the questionnaires. The results, however, show that the work in this respect should continue.
The Newsletter aims at providing comprehensive and objective information to the public. The contents, purely informative, includes everything significant in municipal life the activities of the municipal council, important decisions, rules and regulations, legislative changes, required documents, deadlines, and the requirements to facilitate the administrative services offered to the population, as well as materials about the municipality s cultural and educational life. The Newsletter also provides the answers to some questions and critical comments, obtained from the questionnaires.
The Municipal Newsletter is addressed both to the citizens of the Municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya, and to the municipal officials. The number of printed copies is 7,000. It should be noted that socially disadvantaged citizens distribute the Newsletter directly to the mailboxes of the households in the municipality. These people receive social benefits for the service. I.e. the Newsletter reaches directly each family. The Newsletter format is A4, 8 pages and the seventh and eighth pages are a questionnaire with 11 questions. The idea is to create better links between the authorities and the citizens as well as to find a better way to respond to the specific needs of the citizens.
The questionnaire contains three types of questions: about the services provided by the municipality, about the services provided by the mayoralties on the territory of the municipality, as well as the invariable question: - "What would you like to read in the next issue?" About 7-8 per cent of the questionnaires are returned to the municipality, filled in by the most active citizens. Though theoretically the return percentage should be 17-20 per cent, the municipal authorities still have not reached this figure. This is partially due to the predominant illiteracy among the Roma population. The municipality of Dolna Mitropoliya has attempted to improve the unequal situation by identifying the literate Roma who could help their fellow citizens fill in the questionnaires. The results, however, show that the work in this respect should continue.
The Newsletter aims at providing comprehensive and objective information to the public. The contents, purely informative, includes everything significant in municipal life the activities of the municipal council, important decisions, rules and regulations, legislative changes, required documents, deadlines, and the requirements to facilitate the administrative services offered to the population, as well as materials about the municipality s cultural and educational life. The Newsletter also provides the answers to some questions and critical comments, obtained from the questionnaires.
Results
The first reviews on the new form of the municipal Newsletter are positive. With the information provided, the municipal authorities facilitate the population by taking public their aims and intentions. The feedback information is obtained through the questionnaire and it is a sound basis for formulating and making managerial decisions. In this sense the municipal authorities consider the questionnaire as a step forward in improving the bilateral contacts between the municipality and the citizens.
The first reviews on the new form of the municipal Newsletter are positive. With the information provided, the municipal authorities facilitate the population by taking public their aims and intentions. The feedback information is obtained through the questionnaire and it is a sound basis for formulating and making managerial decisions. In this sense the municipal authorities consider the questionnaire as a step forward in improving the bilateral contacts between the municipality and the citizens.
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