Stafford County Government announces the debut of its new digital community newsletter, “Blu’s News.” “Blu’s News” is a play on the County’s new virtual information ambassador, Blu the great blue heron. The newsletter will be published once a month via email subscription. It will feature stories, press releases about Stafford County, and video updates from each Board of Supervisors member. An events calendar will also list any County closings and special events.
“With a diverse array of departments from Utilities to Planning to Parks, Stafford County has a lot going on in our community. This newsletter puts the information in one place for easy access for our residents,” said Andrew Spence, Director of Community Engagement. “It is also a way for Board of Supervisors members to tailor a message specifically to their districts.”
Stafford regularly releases press releases on essential decisions or announcements such as closings or changes in how the County does business. But the County also develops news stories on relevant community topics like who to call for a water break and the ins and outs of the noise ordinance. The County also partners with public safety on emergency information and community partners on content to assist residents.
The newsletter will also feature links to videos of each member of the Board of Supervisors. The videos are pulled from Board member updates at Board of Supervisor meetings to ensure that their community updates are sent directly to their residents with district-specific information.
Earlier this week, Stafford County today launched its new customer service online platform, AskBlu, as an accessible web chat assistant on the County’s website, app and as a text message feature. A great blue heron was chosen because of the ubiquitous presence of herons in Stafford County and the presence of one of the largest heron rookeries in the United States.
Subscribers may sign up for the newsletter by visiting www.staffordcountyva.gov/blusnews or by scrolling to the bottom of his article. Current website news subscribers will automatically receive the newsletter. The newsletter is published at the end of every month.