Monday, April 6, 2009

Good News: A response from my letter to our local utility company

Last week, I got pretty upset about an article in our local utility company magazine both praising and promoting the Walmart here in Bryan. Immediately after writing the post, I wrote a similar email to both the magazine and the local utility company.

Well, I have fabulous news to report: Apparently, my letter very quickly sparked several meetings which resulted in a phone call to me from the company's Public Information Officer (he's also editor of the magazine). The utility representative wanted me to know that my letter was generating a lot of attention and (long story short), BTU wanted me to pitch ideas for stories that could be written to support local businesses and their impact in the community. 

To be honest, I didn't expect to hear a word in response (or at most a form letter). To have been given the opportunity to now make a greater difference and promote our small local business and producers is a wonderful encouragement for all of us to take action in our community. 

Go local!

9 comments:

Darren (Green Change) said...

That's fantastic! It's amazing the difference one person can make when they decide to do something.

I'd love it if you could cross-post any articles you write here!

Lisa said...

That's amazing!!!! Good job. Goes to show why we always show contact people when we are upset about things like this. You never know when they will listen.

Angela said...

Woo hoo!
Good for you, for not just complaining, but actually taking action and writing the letter!

Bravo!

hmd said...

Darren - Thanks! I don't know that they want me to write the stories, just pitch the ideas and help the writers make contacts. We'll see. But if I see any stories I've pitched in the magazine, I'll be sure to link to it on the blog.

Lisa - No doubt. The company's response was very empowering to me as an individual. We can make a difference!

Angela - I don't usually write letters to companies (I'm usually the complainer that does nothing), but I think I've come far enough along my locavore/buy local/environmental/mindfulness journey that I'm feeling the need to become more verbally active. It was wonderfully reinforcing to receive a positive response as a result.

Donna said...

Yeah! Good for you!

Sam said...

That's such great news! I think you're now in the running for resident of the year.

Theresa said...

Hey, that's fantastic! Sometimes it's astounding what one act can lead to, and we just never know which small thing we do will lead to a potentially big change somewhere else. Good for you and yay for local business!

Anonymous said...

a year ago did you imagine that you wielded such power? for the most part we go around moaning and complaining that "somebody" should do "something." congratulations on being that somebody :)

hmd said...

Donna - Thanks!

Beany - He he. I don't know about that...

Theresa - Thanks! I'm thrilled I got such a positive response.

Blondeoverboard - a year ago? No way. I was still shy and pretty much kept to myself. I might have talked about writing a letter, but never done it. Amazing what a year can do :)