Good idea horrible approach

 

Wfmz interviewed Mayor Tuerk on the recent violence or more specifically the two homicides of two teenagers.  

His response was he would like to create some open dialog with the youth of Allentown.  

He stated you can call the mayors office and he will talk to you.  I'll stop right there.  He will talk to you?  He is never there.  Is a secretary going to forward the call to California or wherever his next vacation is?

This may be a good idea for youth to have someone to talk to, but why the fuck would they want to talk to the mayor?  First off inner city minority youth do not want to talk to a white guy who claims hes latino. Despite the 5 readers who comment here that the mayor is hip and cool.  To the youth he is a dork. Sorry. 

Get someone they look up to.  Get local celebrities or local rappers to speak to the kids.  Get $5 Wawa gift cards and give them away after kids talk to someone.  I can guarantee the mayor doesnt get 5 phone calls. 

Yes the idea has some merit but the approach is all wrong.  Besides the guy doesnt even show up for council meetings and now wants you to call him?  

Heres an easy idea. Take some of the Mayors travel expense money if there is any left and go to the basketball courts with a cooler of gatorades and snacks. Have some counselors there, and tell the kids we want your input on some things 1 on 1 of course. Ask them each say 5-10 questions (keep it around 2-4minutes max and give them their reward.   Make it fun. You expect some kid to call a number and speak to a stranger?Play some hoops and while doing so ask them questions. Or say if I beat you I get 5 minutes of your time. You will have a line of kids wanting to talk.  Here I will even give you 5 example questions since I care about this issue.

1. Do you feel safe playing at the playground? How about when it gets darker out?

2. What is one thing you would like to do for fun in the city if it was available?

3. Would you be interested in some summer camps or things to do on the weekends? If so what?

4. If I gave you $100 what would you spend it on?

5. What is scary about living in Allentown?

Just a somewhat broad group of questions that could provide alot of information about the youth.  They are just examples and better questions could probably be asked. Kids love to talk, but make it fun.  The information with flow with ease.

Good idea, horrible approach.