DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
SCUGOG: While COVID-19 has forced municipalities to rethink how they operate, the Township of Scugog has launched a new online engagement platform to make it easier for residents to provide their input. On Tuesday, June 2nd, the Township announced the launch of “My Scugog, Our Community, a service which gives residents the opportunity to provide their ideas and opinions on local municipal projects.” A press release explains the site “offers interactive options to connect with Scugog staff and community members through discussion forums, spaces to post comments and ideas, surveys and interactive maps.” Township communications staff explained this site is a way to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on regular township business. “With in-person engagement tactics suspended at the moment due to Covid-19, this platform will ensure we continue to provide a space for meaningful communications to occur between residents, community partners and our project managers,” Lori Bowers, Scugog’s manager of communications said, in a press release. Mayor Bobbie Drew is also pleased with this site officially launching. “I am very happy that we can bring this new format to our Scugog residents,” she said, in a press release. “Even before COVID-19, it was not always convenient for our residents to attend a public meeting in person. We have always [striven] for opportunities to improve our connection with our residents and this site is an easy and accessible way to do just that.” Residents, who wish to use this, can access this communication portal by going to my.scugog.ca.