First Selectman Steve Vavrek already communicates with townspeople via a list serve, Facebook page and updates on the Town of Monroe website.
"I'm still learning Twitter," Vavrek said with a chuckle.
Now he has another way to keep residents informed. The First Selectman's Journal, an e-mailed, monthly newsletter, recently made its debut with a chronicling of Monroe's major happenings in August.
"I figure it's my job to get as much information out, in as many venues as possible, especially in this day and age of 24/7 news," Vavrek said in a recent interview."
The first two-page issue of the First Selectman's Journal lists all of the ways readers can follow Vavrek online and reminds them minutes from important town meetings can be downloaded on the Web.
Some of the news bites included: The opening of a Center for Women & Families satellite office at Town Hall; the Economic Development Commission study taking an inventory of existing town businesses; an update on the program to improve Monroe's roadways; and town's unemployment figures.
Those interested in signing up for the first selectman's list serve receive the journal automatically and may do so by visiting the town website monroect.org. Click on "follow us on the Internet" on the left side of the homepage. That way, one may also access Vavrek's Facebook page.
His e-mail address is svavrek@monroect.org.
Of course, Vavrek can still be reached the old fashioned way. The first selectman encourages residents with questions or concerns to call him at 203-452-2821 or to stop by at his Monroe Town Hall office, 7 Fan Hill Road.
"I want people to know their first selectman is accessible," he said. "There's a lot of distrust of government at all levels and I want people to know they can come in here at any time."
