Ashland unveils new, interactive website - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Trying to figure out who you need to call to get a pothole fixed can be a hassle.

And it can be frustrating wondering when someone will come out to fix it.

Now the Town of Ashland has is trying to make this a little easier with its new website.

Ashland residents like Tom Wulf used to go online to the old town website to look up phone numbers.

"It was functional, but it wasn't ideal," Wulf said. "You had to search for any information you're looking for."

If he needed some sort of local government service - he would have to get it the old-fashioned way.

There was hope that a few phone calls would get him to where he needs to go. Now the Town of Ashland has unveiled a new site that should make Tom's life a little easier. The new site is more interactive and allows users to file complaints online.

"This is a huge improvement over the old one," he said.

From potholes, to trash pick-up, to replacing signs, all of these things can be done at your desk.

You can even track public works to get a better idea when your problem might be fixed.

The new site also features new email alerts.

"You can sign on and whenever there's a new community event added to the calendar, when there's an emergency alert that comes out, you're going to be emailed that information rather than you searching for it yourself," Wulf said.

It took town officials about a year to complete this overhaul.

Ashland may have that old-time Mayberry appeal to it, but this new site could help bring local government services into the 21st century.

"For people like me, who are very much involved in town events and the town administration in general, it's going to be a terrific resource," Wulf said.

Town officials hope the new website could also help with tourism. The website includes links to many local attractions as well. 

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