Google everything! Talk to people! Make calls. FOIL information...hut hut hut!
Rolling up the sleeves
Getting and organizing information is the first and very critical step in addressing local problems. In your research it may surprise you how quick you'll become an accidental expert on some things and others you will learn enough to sufficiently to define your issue.
The first thing you learn is how much information IS available and simultaneously you learn what information is NOT available. Unavailable information, or "gaps," is worth ttaking a closer look into.These could provide some of your first clues as to what has gone wrong.
Seeing Through Issues
In recent years there has been a push for transparency in government but there are still areas that it is nowhere to be found. The infamous' backroom deal' is still alive and well as unscrupulous people circumnavigating the system who are finding new ways to bypass the scrutiny.
As you compile your information I would recomment building a time line to help you identify any gaps of information. The project is to work your way through all the processes available to you and your issue,
Read The Papers And Dig Into The Web!
Read the lines and everything between them ( seems to be more there these days)
In many cases, I am learning more from the comments than from the article itself for potential answers to your issues and a sense of what the general sentiment is on both sides of the matter. That can be really helpful.
Here is a sampling of regional news stories relating to land use ( a VERY hot topic at that time) I compiled for community sites as part of this project in 2004-2006
July 2004- May 2005
June 20065-February 2006
Yea. A labor of love for sure!
Facts are your allies.
Strategy is the vehicle.
Passion is your fuel.
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