If you needed any additional proof that Decatur’s blogs are changing the way the city communicates, here it is!  The city has just announced the launch of its very own blog, “The Decatur Minute“!

Asst. City Manager Linda Harris sends us some details…

The City of Decatur is joining the blogosphere with its newest blog “The Decatur Minute.”  The Decatur Minute features information about special events, volunteer opportunities, new businesses, and more in the City of Decatur.  The Decatur Minute is written by different employees in the Community & Economic Development Department on a variety of topics.

Those “employees” include Linda herself, Cheryl Burnette and Catherine Lee (of AsianCajuns fame).

Only time will tell how this effort will play out.  Blogs are a tricky and time-consuming business…especially when allowing comments.   I hope they have the time to dedicate to the effort, otherwise these sites can quickly fall by the wayside.

Though I would be lying if I didn’t say I have some mixed feelings and reservations about this initiative, I really think this action says a lot about the impact of this site and all of Decatur’s blogs.  Surprisingly few other cities in the entire metro area have any sort of site that covers them, let alone such highly trafficked ones.  Occasionally I even receive emails from folks in other Atlanta metro cities complementing the site and wishing they had ones of their own.

There’s a real need out there on the local level that just isn’t being filled by city-wide, conglomerate-owned newspapers like the AJC.  How much of a need?  Well, I can’t speak for the other Decatur sites, but other than the Republican-leaning Peach Pundit (which covers the whole state) and CL’s Fresh Loaf, I don’t think there’s a local blog in all of Georgia that has the traffic and # of comments of this site.  And while I’d like to think that has a little bit to do with me, I really believe that a great deal of it has to do with the strength of community in this city.  Its downright inspirational.

With all that said, I’ll step off my soapbox now.  Welcome to the blogosphere City of Decatur!  I’ll be checking in often!