Update: The Around Dublin Facebook Group is now replaced by the Around Dublin Fan Page.

In response to the overwhelming passionate feedback we have received since Council’s recent decision NOT to refine the medium density definition, the Around Dublin Team has created the Around Dublin Group on Facebook to help residents organize and band together. Google’s Blogger, Around Dublin’s publishing platform of choice, has served well as a sounding board for many great ideas; however, it lacks the infrastructure to facilitate interaction among readers who would like to take a more active role in our community. The Around Dublin Team would like to leverage Facebook’s social networking capabilities to promote more resident involvement in our city governance and empower like-minded readers to engage in their own actions. When key Planning Commission, City Council, and School Board meetings come up, we will not only broadcast them on the blog but also send reminders to readers who have opted to join the group, so they may, in turn, remind their friends and neighbors to attend. Emails and phone calls to our elected officials are crucial, but neither is as effective as showing up at meetings in person. Developers never miss an important meeting, because they understand that absence means consent for whatever our elected or appointed officials decide.

Thanks to the enhanced sharing capabilities of Facebook, readers who join will be able to upload documents, pictures, and videos more easily and share their concerns with everyone. The Around Dublin Team has started a discussion topic called Sorrento East Project Status and uploaded one photograph to illustrate how the Around Dublin Group on Facebook can be used to effect positive change in our beloved city. For those who would like to learn how the Facebook platform may be leveraged in general, please check out this article.