The City of Bend is hoping a new program will encourage more citizens to voice their opinions on city business.

Bend Communications Manager Justin Finestone says very soon, they will launch a new online program that will make it much easier to get involved:  "All these tools are online based because the bottom line is: we know people here are busy. Bend’s such a great place to live and I think folks, after work, would rather go for a run or spend time with their family or ride their bike than come to a meeting, so we're going to bring the meeting to them. And after they put the kids to bed at 9:00 they can get on their I-Pad and take 15 minutes to connect with us and if that's all they want to do, we welcome that, and we just want to make it so they don't have to come to us, we kinds of want to come to them more."

Finestone says there will be opportunities to express opinions on every agenda item the City Council will discuss at the next meetings; polls to vote if you agree or disagree, and all "open house" project will have places for you to give your thoughts.

Finestone says we new program should be up and running in four to six weeks.