Surprise is using Twitter as the latest way to engage residents.

"Our communications team has been using it to talk with local reporters, and now is the time to use Twitter to communicate with everyone," said City Manager Randy Oliver. 

Twitter feeds, or tweets, appear on the Twitter page or cell phone of people who volunteer to receive the messages. The brevity of the message (140 characters) and the popularity of the application make it an attractive way to keep residents informed and engaged, Oliver said.

"Twitter is an option people obviously really like," he said. "You can scan the message in just a few seconds, and if you want more information, you can visit the Web site or give us a call."

Oliver said the city will continue to send news releases to the thousands of people who have signed up for them. Other innovations, such as an interactive comment site on a possible city bond election and several on line surveys, will continue, he said. 

Three tweets were posted Tuesday:

• Surprise is in current Business Week Magazine: "4th quarter home sales jumped 65 percent ... compared with a year earlier."

• 222 HOME, a new Compassionate Surprise phone # when reduced income or adjusted ARM make mortgage unaffordable. Will help negotiate w/lender.

• 2 new surveys at www.surpriseaz.com. Your opinion on our city's image and needs, plus tell us how you use technology. See results, too.

The Surprise Twitter page is called AZSurprise and features artwork of the new City Hall Complex, which opens in June.