Screen Shot 2013-08-07 at 11.00.38 PMJerry Allen initially was slated to host a city-budget discussion with his constituents Tuesday at Lake Highlands North rec center. That meeting has been postponed and changed to a “Telephone Town Hall Meeting” hosted by he and district 9 rep Sheffie Kadane Thursday, Aug. 15. From the looks of the budget meetings schedule, Allen does not have a traditional budget meeting planned.

To participate in the 6 p.m. Aug. 15 Telephone Town Hall Meeting,  call 888.409.5380. For Spanish, 877.353.4701.

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The tele town hall meeting might be unprecedented at Dallas City Hall, but it is something government officials nationwide reportedly have increasingly been using. Participants may join via phone or internet and will be allowed to ask questions. Callers and online participants will be given specific instructions when they connect.

Recently USA Today published a story about the growing popularity of Telephone Town Hall meetings , noting that they frequently are utilized by groups such as AARP whose members are elderly and unable to attend live meetings.

Below is an explanatory video from a company that offers phone town hall meeting services. I hope to hear from Allen tomorrow with his comments on the decision to hold a telephone meeting rather than those long, heated (usually both literally and emotionally) live sessions to which we have become so accustomed. I sent him a message tonight, but it’s like 11 p.m.. so I expect I’ll hear back Thursday.

Meanwhile, read our article about the city budget here.