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The article discusses the importance of effective communication in local government and how it has become overly specialized and formalized. The author argues that all staff members should be empowered to be effective communicators, rather than relying solely on a few specialists. They suggest that communication skills should be a requirement for all staff, similar to the emphasis placed on health and safety. The article encourages local governments to adopt a model that provides basic communication knowledge and skills for all staff, in addition to specialized communication teams. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the common belief among elected officials and chief executives that better communication will lead to increased trust and confidence from the public. However, the author argues that communication alone cannot address poor decisions, performance, or service. They emphasize that measuring trust and confidence and expecting communication activities to improve these scores is not a direct correlation, especially considering that few citizens have actual contact or interactions with the council. The author suggests that building trust and confidence in the council is achieved by delivering quality services and addressing community concerns effectively. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers tips on how local elected councilors can perform their duties effectively.

The article offers the author's insights on media learning or training, the role, importance, and tasks of journalists, and the rules and policies in dealing with the media.

The article offers clarification of several misconceptions towards the local government on topics including use of word council for elected members and organization, council debt, and works of the council in a business manner.

The article discusses how local government employees develop competence and understanding so they can do their job well.

The article discusses the characteristics of councils in New Zealand that get a higher percentage of voter turnout.

The article offers the author's insights on the lack of citizen participation in the local government despite of the enactment of participatory democratic model in New Zealand.

The article discusses how local governments can improve the capability of their communication professional.

The article offers tips to provide exceptional customer services as employees of the local including treating customers as citizens, considering oneself in the customer's position to understand his woes, and most importantly listen patiently and smile to provide better customer services.