How Geneva Compares to Other Local Governments in Use of Social Media

The city of Geneva doesn't have a Facebook page, but a Geneva High School student runs an unofficial page with 4,055 fans. The city does have a Twitter account—Twitter@CityofGeneva, 859 followers as of Friday, Feb. 11.

Director Ellen Divita said Geneva uses social media mainly as a way of getting out information, and officials are happy with the response.

The city launched its Twitter account in 2009, and the uses  for public safety updates. The city also uses an e-mail blast system to send daily and weekly newsletters, and more than 2,000 people have signed up for those. Divita said there has been talk about getting an official Facebook page, but “it is not a top priority.”

When the  launched its Facebook page, officials checked around with Geneva and other cities, park districts and governmental entities, scoping out how they use social media to connect with people.

Here’s a quick look at some local governments up and down the Fox Valley, and how they’ve handle the Facebook and Twitter experience.

Batavia

Facebook: Yes, 821 fans

Twitter: @CityofBataviaIL, 430 followers

Batavia has had success with both Facebook and Twitter, according to Assistant City Administrator Randy Recklaus. He said it’s been “a great way to give people real-time information,” although he said the city’s Twitter has not caught on as quickly as its Facebook page. Recklaus said the city has not seen any inappropriate comments on its page, and he credited the fact people must use their names on Facebook. “It allows more civil discourse than anonymous comments,” he said.

St. Charles

Facebook: Yes, 247 fans.

Twitter: @CityofStCharles, 501 followers.

The city has been using Facebook and Twitter for nearly two years, according to Web administrator Carolyn Shannon. She said social media has been “fantastic for getting all kinds of information out,” and provides a handy tool for connecting with other government agencies and non-profits. St. Charles has social media policies in place, Shannon said, but inappropriate comments “have not been an issue,” she added.

Fox Valley Park District

Facebook: Yes, 579 fans.

Twitter: No.

The Fox Valley Park District has been using Facebook for two years, according to spokesman Jeff Long, and mainly uses it to get the word out about special events. The plan, Long said, is to launch a Facebook page for each major event the district organizes. (The Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race already has one.) Comments are allowed on the district page, and Long said criticism of the district is welcome. “It gives us an opportunity to address (problems),” he said.

Oswegoland Park District

Facebook: Yes, 616 fans.

Twitter: @OswegoParkDist, 121 followers.

The park district launched its Facebook page more than a year ago, according to Supt. of Marketing Margaret Geinger, and the response has been good. (Twitter, she said, has been a slower climb.) The district tries, she said, to add value to its posts with giveaways and contests, and has not had a problem with negative comments. “I think it’s a really good way to get the pulse of the community,” she said.

Yorkville

Facebook: No

Twitter: @CityofYorkville, 20 followers

Spokesman Glory Spies said the city plans to join Facebook in the near future, beginning with a page for its parks and recreation department. She said the city has not seen a great response on Twitter, but it comes in handy when she needs to get information out quickly.

Oswego

Facebook: No

Twitter: @OswegoIL60543, 101 followers

Community Relations Coordinator Michele Bergeron said Oswego went the Twitter route because the Village Board “didn’t want to get into any legalities regarding deleting posts on Facebook.” The village started using Twitter in 2008, but has far fewer followers than it has recipients of its e-mail blasts. Bergeron said several village committees have Facebook pages.

Aurora

Facebook: No

Twitter: No

Aurora launched its Facebook page in 2009, but took it down in 2010 over concerns about public comments and the First Amendment. Spokesman Kevin Stahr said city leaders still are considering whether to return to Facebook. The city does use an e-mail blast system to get information out, and has 1,685 people on its list.

North Aurora

Facebook: No

Twitter: No

Chief Administrative Officer Wes Kornowske said the village still is evaluating its social media options. Within a couple of months, he said, village officials should have a Facebook policy (to manage public comments) worked out and could launch a page shortly thereafter. A Twitter account is on the table as well, Kornowske said, although the North Aurora Police Departmentalready has one, as well as a Nixle account, and the village may coordinate efforts with it.