Rotary Club of Dunedin Weekly Meeting Recap - March 11th 2026

Featured Speaker: Sue Ness, Director of Communications, City of Dunedin

The Rotary Club of Dunedin welcomed Sue Ness, Director of Communications for the City of Dunedin, as the featured speaker at its regular meeting. Sue provided an engaging and timely presentation on the evolving challenges of social media engagement, the rise of misinformation, and how municipalities are adapting their communications strategies in an increasingly algorithm‑driven digital environment.

City Communications as an Essential Service

Club President David Bramley introduced Sue, highlighting her leadership since March 2021 in building the City's Communications Department from the ground up. Sue described city communications as an essential public service—on par with utilities like water or electricity—because of its role in keeping residents informed, safe, and connected.

She explained that the Communications Department functions as an in‑house agency, supporting all city departments with messaging, public campaigns, digital content creation, crisis communications, and storytelling. The team manages the City of Dunedin's website and social media platforms to ensure accurate information is accessible and engaging for residents.

The Shift to "Anti‑Social Media"

A major focus of Sue's presentation was the decline in social media engagement. Referencing a three-part series by Will Hampton, she described the evolution of platforms from community-centered spaces to algorithm-driven content streams—often prioritizing outrage or sensationalism over meaningful interaction.

Sue noted that social media usage has been declining since 2022, particularly among younger users, and shared research showing negative impacts on mental health and social development. While engagement may be down, the City continues to use social media strategically for:

• Information dissemination

• Emergency and crisis communications

• Highlighting city services and community stories

At the same time, the Communications team actively monitors and addresses misinformation, working to mitigate harmful or inaccurate narratives before they escalate.

Addressing Misinformation and Property Tax Concerns

Sue shared a recent example involving misinformation posted by a future business on Facebook that caused confusion and concern within the community. The City responded by publishing clear, factual information and emphasized that proactive, transparent communication can often prevent these situations from arising.

She also provided an update on property tax concerns, explaining that the City is preparing educational materials to help residents better understand potential changes to property tax laws. A series of public forums and information sessions is planned for April, during which residents can ask questions and hear directly from city leadership. Sue encouraged everyone to subscribe to the City's e‑newsletter to stay informed.

State of the City: "Connected Community"

Looking ahead, Sue announced the upcoming State of the City address, which will focus on the theme "Connected Community." The event will highlight how the City is strengthening relationships with residents and will include further discussion on property taxes and community engagement initiatives.

Property Tax Education Sessions

Sue highlighted the importance of public education around property taxes and announced upcoming information sessions on the 19th and 22nd, during which the Mayor will provide additional details.

Bronze Statue Fundraising Update

Rob Kosen from the WFW provided an update on a fundraising effort to commission a full‑size bronze statue honoring fallen soldiers. The statue will be dedicated at the Triple Heart Ceremony on August 7, 2026, held at Performance Arts Park.

Rob noted that Dunedin is the first Purple Heart City in Florida and will host its 18th Purple Heart ceremony this year. He thanked the club for its generosity, including a $1,000 grant toward the project.

"Paint Dunedin Purple" Returns March 28

Patti Bryant of Wine At The Docks announced the 8th Annual Paint Dunedin Purple event on March 28, benefiting Alzheimer's awareness and research. Last year's event raised just under $40,000.

This year's festivities will include:

• Purple‑decorated local businesses

• Community resources in the parking lot next to the History Museum

• A dog parade

• Pickleball activities

• A sip‑and‑paint event

In addition, Patti announced a new marketing participant program designed to engage regular athletes beyond traditional running groups and professional athletes, with a planning meeting scheduled for next week.