Now and again I've fussed and fumed like an old scold because not enough of us get involved and know what's going on around town. It's a safe bet more Sandy Springsteens know more about Britney Spears' mental state than about what our elected City Council members are up to.

The latter has gotten a little easier.

The Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods has launched a Web site that tracks the vote every council person has cast from the city's beginning.

Simply by clicking www.sandyspringscouncil.org, it is now possible to easily pull one's head from the sand and know what's going on and who voted to make it happen. The only way it could be more user friendly would be if they gave away coupons for doughnuts.

This is a great idea and a wonderful tool, but there is some sadness that citizenship has to be made so rudimentary.

If you don't want to make time to go to City Council meetings, you can access what happened on several Web sites. You can also sign up for e-mail updates from your council representative. Assuming you know the name of your council rep.

I get that it takes extra effort to stay informed. You have to get off of your couch, turn off the TV and do something. Conduct an online search, make a phone call, talk to a neighbor, read the paper.

By the time most people learn about a decision they don't like, it's usually too late. The battle cry of the uninformed could be: "Nobody told me!"

To which I would reply: "Did you ask?"

Osterman lives in Sandy Springs. To comment on his column, write to Northside Opinions Editor Carla Caldwell at ccaldwell@ajc.com, or go to his blog - Around Sandy Springs - at ajc.com.