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Legislators unveil new Web site

By JUSTIN AVERETTE / News Editor / Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 2:44 PM CDT

Shelby County legislators have launched a new Web site to help residents stay in touch with lawmakers.

The site, www.shelbycolo.com , went live about two weeks ago.

"About a year ago, the delegation came up with the idea for the site," said Rep. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster). "We were looking at our constituents and the need to stay in contact with people."

Many members of the delegation have individual Web pages, but the new site is the first joint venture for the delegation.

"This will give people the ability to get in touch with all their legislators about issues that concern them," said Ward. "More and more people are Internet savvy, and they expect to go online and find information there."

Stephen Frey, interim director of the delegation office, will operate the site on a day-to-day basis.

The site includes biographies on legislators, information on how to register to vote and a forum to post opinions.

Ward said he hopes more links and features will be added in the coming weeks.

"We want to make this convenient," said Ward. "We want people to go there and have a way to get in touch with us easily and quickly."

The Shelby County Legislative Delegation includes senators Hank Erwin, Steve French and J.T. Waggoner as well as representatives Greg Canfield, Mike Hill, Jimmy Martin, Jim McClendon, Mary Sue McClurkin and Ward.