Who should I interview for this information?

Question

I"m doing a journalism story on the cost of plowing the cities here in Columbia,MO. I'm wondering who would be a good person to ask to find out other than the mayor--someone I could actually get an interview with --being on the school newspaper.

Answer 1

I would look to interview some other people in city government. Research your local Department of City Planning and see if there is a Land Use person's contact info. They should be easier to get than the Mayor.
Also you can look to interview a real estate developer from the area or someone from your loal community board/civic association --> you will always find a community activist that is willing to speak!
Good luck!

Answer 2

EXACT INFO YOU NEED IS AT"

gocolumbiamo.com

This is City of Columbia NEW Address
This opens the City Home Page
On left had side are listed different departments
Click on "Transportation"
There will be several sub headings show up
One of them takes you to street maintenance
It shows all sorts of contacts for snow & ice removal, maintenance, etc.
The manager of the department will be glad to give you that Information. He may have to ask someone above for permission
but you can view for free the public information under FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS.
Probably wont be necessary because the city wants its citizens to know why budgetary constraints are necessary and the Manager will want you to know how much it costs so his bosses will know that he has too little budget & resources for the job required. Even he can't express it in those exact words. He will get his point across to you in a way that you can print.

ANOTHER GOOD SOURCE IS YOUR LOCAL STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT AS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PART OF THE HIGHWAYS THAT RUN THROUGH YOUR CITY. They & the city are required to co-ordinate who is responsible for what & agreements are made about cost sharing.

I live in Texas, but my Sister & Brother in law live nearby & I have been to & shopped in your historic city. I live on dry north central plains area with no trees & little water, so I love the Missouri Climate and Beautiful Scenery.

Sorry about getting off subject but hope that makes your search quicker & easier.

Roger H.

Answer 3

Usually anyone in the city office. You just ask them and they can refer you to the correct people. You may be surprised how accessible the Mayor actually is. They know you will be able to vote soon.

Answer 4

Ask someone from the highway dept for your town. There must be a head of the dept. you could talk to. Does your town issue a town report every year? It usually list how much was budgeted and how much was actually spent.

Answer 5

You might try a local construction worker or developer.