ROCHELLE — A new program in the City of Rochelle is helping residents get answers to questions anywhere from city services and operations to current projects direct from the source.

The program, “Ask Us Anything,” is a social media forum for anyone to participate. Since beginning over four months ago, the response has been increasing steadily — last month’s posting has already generated over 250 comments between the questions themselves, the answers provided, and many times compliments directed at the prompt responses from the city.

Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Manager, said the program is a way to give residents an opportunity to be involved with the city. The Facebook live transmitted during city council meetings and the city’s bi-monthly departmental reports are two other examples of the city’s efforts to involve the community.

“If we don’t know you have an issue, we can’t fix it,” Fiegenschuh said. “Ask Us Anything, along with our social media presence and mobile app are just a couple of new ways we are offering citizens to let us know their questions or concerns.”

Program administrator Jenny Thompson, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, said she is more than happy to get the answers. If she doesn’t know the answer she directs the questions to the department head and relays the information as soon as possible.

“We’ve gotten several complaints for speeding down residential streets. Our police department can actually do a patrol advisory when they receive a complaint about a specific area,” Thompson said. “We get requests for speed bumps, but we do not do speed bumps in Rochelle. It’s nice to be able to explain that to people, instead of them thinking we are ignoring the area.”

The questions have also stemmed from business owners or entrepreneurs. Thompson stressed if there is a situation facing business owners, it is crucial to share that with the city.

“If you have an experience with us that’s not positive when you’re trying to start a business, please tell our city manager. He is so dedicated to changing what we need to make development happen,” Thompson said. “Let us try to figure it out, we are not here to hinder your business or your development, we should be here to support you and boost you up. We live here, we want the new business just as much as the residents. I want great parks, another restaurant, another grocery store. I want those things too. Everything I can do here to make that happen, I’m going to do it.”

Multiple agency involvement

Maureen Stevens, Office/Program Manager with the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District, said the social media forum is an effective tool at answering park district-related questions and clearing up any misinformation that might be out there.

“I think it’s a great way for the community to get answers to their questions in one, easy location. If we don’t know there is a concern, we can’t address it,” Stevens said. “One community member commented last month about water pressure at a drinking fountain and because of Jenny’s program, our maintenance staff was able to address within half an hour of the comment being made. Our staff can’t be everywhere all the time, so it’s important that the community knows they can come to us with their concerns.”

Thompson said the city’s goal is to be “super transparent and out there.”

“We are trying to have a presence at more events, like the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival, Creston Booster Days…we want to have our staff out there. Just stop by and talk to us, we are super friendly!” Thompson said. “We want to let people know that you really can ask us anything.”

Q & A

Several questions have been answered in the Ask Us Anything social media forum. Below is just a sample of the questions and answers from last month’s Ask Us Anything social media forum. Program administrator Jenny Thompson said the city plans to continue once a month.

1. Why is the South Side of town neglected?

• In the past 10-15 years, the South side of Rochelle has seen more capital invested than any other area in town! Some of the projects include sidewalk, curb, and gutter on residential streets. We’re in the process of updating South Main Street from Steward Road to Veteran’s Parkway, which will also include sidewalk. Our Water Department has invested $8.5Million in a new water tower, wellhouse, replacing 1 mile of 24” sewer, replacing another well house this summer, completing a well pump & motor rehab, installing a new water main to the Airport, installing a new water main on 2^nd Avenue and the new Caron Road lift station. The Electric Department has also invested significantly at about $6.5Million for the Steward Road transmission line and Caron Road substation. The Park District is placing a new walking path at Memorial Park soon and has plans in the future to add more bike path!

1. What can be done about drivers speeding on my street? Can we have speed bumps?
2. Let us know! The Rochelle Police Department can conduct a Patrol Advisory in your area to watch for speeding. Unfortunately, speed bumps do not typically work as well as intended. Drivers tend to speed up as soon as they are over the bump and quickly brake before the next. Speed bumps have also been known to cause accidents.

1. When are we getting another grocery store in Rochelle?
2. We’re working to make that happen! Ultimately, a retailer has to make the business decision to locate in our community. Shopping locally is so important – with our current retailers and new ones alike!

1. Why do I still hear train horns, even though Rochelle is a Quiet Zone?
2. Although Rochelle is a Quiet Zone, the engineers still have the ability to sound the horn when they sense danger in the area.