Local councillor goes digital
Posted Jul 22, 2010 By Charelle Evelyn
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EMC News - When it came to connecting with his constituents through a mobile platform, Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Michel Bellemare found out that there wasn't an app for that.
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Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Michel Bellemare teamed up with Purple Forge to launch an interactive application for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches to better engage with his constituents.
Now the east-end councillor just might be the first sitting municipal representative to be found in the iTunes store.
Coun. Bellemare said that it is important to be constantly in touch with the evolution of communication.
"When I was first elected to represent Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward over a decade ago, resident engagement was largely face to face," he said.
Last month, Coun. Bellemare and the Ottawa-based Purple Forge development team launched the Michel Bellemare application for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
The free, bilingual application offers many of the same elements as Coun. Bellemare's personal website such as videos, photos, press releases and e-newsletters.
The interactive application encourages feedback and also takes advantage of social media outlets by allowing users to share information through Facebook and Twitter.
Based on the developers' research, Coun. Bellemare is likely the first incumbent politician with an application based on constituent participation, said Brian Hurley, CEO of Purple Forge.
"It all comes back to the importance of transparency and open communication," said Coun. Bellemare.
The relationship between the councillor and the developers began last year after Coun. Bellemare gave a keynote address at a Lead to Win session.
Mr. Hurley was helping out with the program - which aids people who are starting up new tech-based businesses - and approached Coun. Bellemare to pick his brain since the focus of his new company was community engagement.
"He was very helpful in sharing his opinion," said Mr. Hurley. As the months passed, Purple Forge stayed in contact with the councillor, who provided them with more and more input on what needs a politician might have and what information they may be looking for from their community.
By November, Coun. Bellemare had signed on as the new company's first customer. "It was intriguing working with a new hi-tech firm," he said.
Mr. Hurley said that he often hears around town that it is difficult to sell products and ideas locally.
"With Michel Bellemare, our experience was exactly the opposite," he said. "He was definitely interested in helping a small company to start up."
Coun. Bellemare said he was enthusiastic about encouraging a local company and, in his own way, helping to promote economic development.
When someone who is already in the target market, such as politicians in Purple Forge's case, are able to pass on information as to the needs that a company is trying to meet is a great benefit, according to Mr. Hurley.
That interest and input is what he called "some of the best economic leadership."
"It didn't take a dollar of government money."
Based on that initial input from Coun. Bellemare, Purple Forge has gone on to create and sell products across Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom and even Columbia.
To download Coun. Bellemare's application, visit his web site at www.bellemare-ottawa.com or search 'Michel Bellemare' in the iTunes store. For more information about Purple Forge, please visit www.purpleforge.com.
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