IN Carlynton-Montour Summer 2018 | Page 16

THIS APP’S FOR YOU! New mobile app helps residents become ‘Savvy Citizens.’ BY JENNIFER BROZAK R esidents of the Borough of Dormont have a new way to stay in touch with their local government, thanks to a new mobile app. Launched in April 2017, Savvy Citizen was developed by Management Science Associates, Inc., a business-to-business data analytics and information technology provider based in East Liberty. The idea for the app stemmed from the personal experiences of the project’s managers at MSA, Account Director Chuck Warden and Business Development Manager Rich McConnell. “Rich has been a member of Buffalo Township’s Planning Commission for several years and realized that the current 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com method of communicating—such as ads buried in the notice section of the newspaper and notices posted on the municipal building door—is not effective,” says Warden. “While a majority of township meetings are fairly routine, there are occasionally meetings that impact all township residents, such as new housing and commercial developments and zoning changes.” These meetings, says Warden, often have poor attendance because of a simple lack of awareness, leaving residents “voiceless and upset.” Another MSA employee, who was also a Harrison Township supervisor, expressed similar concerns, agreeing that local governments needed a more efficient way