Cory Booker’s #Neighborhood
Posted by Matthew Brian Hersh on September 5, 2012
If there was some radio silence on Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker's Twitter feed on Tuesday, it was only because he was delivering the Democratic Party platform as the DNC kicked off its three-day convention this week in Charlotte, NC.
After that, his Twitter operations were back functioning normally.
The "transcendent Twitter age political figure" is known for his prodigious use of the social networking service to self-promote, commentate, and banter with 1.2 million followers as he elevates to a national level.
But Twitter has also proven to serve as something of a hotline for Newark residents to file complaints—personally. One recent example is when Roberto Frugone, founder of La Causa of NJ, an advocacy group, tweeted Booker:
"lot on corner of B'way & Bloomfield Pl is unacceptable. Former city land now dumping ground! Need ur cape." ("Cape" is a reference to Booker once carrying a resident to safety out of a burning building.)
Here's the photo Frugone tweeted.
Booker responded that he would "investigate" and the lot was cleand up just days later. Seeing this quick action, local CDC La Casa de Don Pedro responded:
Sometimes it takes just a little tweet to the right person to make a change.
If only it were always that easy, but it's good to note the small victories.
About the author more »
Matthew Brian Hersh proudly served as senior editor at Shelterforce from March 2008 to October 2012. He studied English at Rutgers University and has spent his professional career in journalism, policy, and politics. He displays many of the trappings of a New Jersey sports fan: dispirited Mets fan, former Nets fan before they left the state, and normally satisfied Giants fan. Hersh lives in Highland Park, NJ with his wife and two children.
National Housing Institute
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