If you really want to know what the locals want, make it easy for everyone to voice their opinions. An admittedly straightforward example: in my city, each str

If you really want to know what the locals want, make it easy for everyone to voice their opinions. An admittedly straightforward example: in my city, each street gets to decide for themselves if they want paid parking or not. (Residents and businesses can get a permit for a reasonable yearly fee.) A vote can be requested by any resident at most once every two years, in which case every house in the street receives a letter with information, a voting form, and a return envelope. I think this is a lot better than basing decisions on the opinions of what's likely to be a vocal minority that shows up on consultation meeting.