Here's an interesting tidbit about city government accessibility:
A blogger over at YoungPhillyPolitics writes about his attempts to use helpme@phila.gov, a city website where you can submit questions about issues like parking or street cleaning or potholes and the city promises to send you a response. It sounds like something that should go hand in hand with the promised 3-1-1 non-emergency call line.
Community organizer Brady Russell, 31, says that he has submitted several questions using the site and gotten no meaningful answers. He's tried the website under both Mayor Street and Mayor Nutter without success.
So today he sent a message that read: "No one actually sees these emails, do they?" No word on whether he's gotten an answer.
UPDATE: The Mayor's press office tells us that in June staff in the Mayor's office were assigned to respond to helpme@phila.gov emails. Since then, they say responses have grown more speedy and reliable. Eventually it will be folded into the 3-1-1 operation.
Russell may have had bad experiences because he tried the website before the Mayor's office took it over, said Deputy Chief of Staff Tricia Enright.
BTW, Russell got a response to his "No one" message at 6:29 p.m. The email said the city was sorry Russell had an unsatisfactory experience, but stressed that the Nutter administration had worked hard to improve the service.
Have you tried to use helpme@phila.gov? What has your experience been like?
A blogger over at YoungPhillyPolitics writes about his attempts to use helpme@phila.gov, a city website where you can submit questions about issues like parking or street cleaning or potholes and the city promises to send you a response. It sounds like something that should go hand in hand with the promised 3-1-1 non-emergency call line.
Community organizer Brady Russell, 31, says that he has submitted several questions using the site and gotten no meaningful answers. He's tried the website under both Mayor Street and Mayor Nutter without success.
So today he sent a message that read: "No one actually sees these emails, do they?" No word on whether he's gotten an answer.
UPDATE: The Mayor's press office tells us that in June staff in the Mayor's office were assigned to respond to helpme@phila.gov emails. Since then, they say responses have grown more speedy and reliable. Eventually it will be folded into the 3-1-1 operation.
Russell may have had bad experiences because he tried the website before the Mayor's office took it over, said Deputy Chief of Staff Tricia Enright.
BTW, Russell got a response to his "No one" message at 6:29 p.m. The email said the city was sorry Russell had an unsatisfactory experience, but stressed that the Nutter administration had worked hard to improve the service.
Have you tried to use helpme@phila.gov? What has your experience been like?
About The Philly Clout Team
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
Follow Chris on Twitter
David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
Follow Dave on Twitter.
Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
Follow Catherine on Twitter
Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
Follow Jan on Twitter
Follow Chris on Twitter
David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
Follow Dave on Twitter.
Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
Follow Catherine on Twitter
Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
Follow Jan on Twitter
Share your tips
Catherine Luceyluceyc@phillynews.com
Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com
Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
- Attytood
- Philly Gossip
- Philebrity
- Philadelphia Will Do
- Its Our City
- Heard in the Hall
- The Daily Examiner
- Phawker
- Suburban Guerilla
- Young Philly Politics
- OurPhiladelphia
- PoliticsPa
- The City Room
- Politico
- Drudge Report
- The Huffington Post
- Wonkette
- Eschaton
- Daily Kos
- Choose Judges on Merit
- Blogorrhea
Blog Roll
Get it now
- February
- January
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
Archives
- Budget
- Campaign News
- Casinos
- City Council
- City Hall
- DC
- Haikus
- Nutter
- Rendell
- Statehouse
Categories
Philly.com Promotions
- News | Sports | Business | What's Happening | Restaurants & Food | Entertainment | Living | Marketplace | Jobs
Site Services:
Classifieds:
Partners:
Local Services:
