"It's inappropriate for an elected official to lead out on issues that the public isn't aware of or hasn't had a chance to make a voice on," said Lehi Councilman James Dixon. "So I would avoid a blog myself."

Also avoiding blogs are South Jordan City Council members, according to city spokesman Chip Dawson.

Dawson said he's seen public discussion and debates on blogs "degrade into something that becomes more personal attacks and opinions rather than a good civic discussion of what's going on in their community."

But the sort of back-and-forth squabbling for which many sites are known are rare on the Web site of Heidi Rodeback, an American Fork councilwoman who means business on her sophisticated blog, heidirodeback.blogspot.com.

At least weekly, Rodeback meticulously guides her constituents through even the most complicated City Council issues with the fuss and organization of a perfectionist.

"I try to keep my personal affairs out of this blog," she wrote. "Its purpose is to account for my work in the city."

But after a recent two-month absence, Rodeback was compelled to get personal with followers.

"On Jan. 16, for reasons more selfish than altruistic, I donated a kidney," she wrote. "I donated it to my daughter. It was a win-win situation for both of us. She needed my kidney, and I needed my daughter."

E-MAIL: jhancock@desnews.com