The City of Palm Coast announced the first two in a series of Town Hall meetings that will continue throughout the end of the year. These events are designed to encourage open dialogue and give residents a platform to engage with their local government on various important topics.
The first Town Hall will be with Mayor David Alfin on June 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center at 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees can ask questions and discuss issues that matter to them in an open forum. Complimentary coffee will be provided.
The second Town Hall will feature Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo on July 10 at 4 p.m. at the Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. This session will focus on the upcoming budget season. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the city’s budget process, ask questions, and provide input on how resources should be allocated for the coming year.
“Listening to our residents and understanding their needs is crucial for making Palm Coast a better place for all of us,” said Alfin. “I look forward to an open discussion where we can talk about the important issues in our community. I invite everyone to come, share their thoughts, and enjoy a cup of coffee with me.” (Alfin is in a re-election race.)
In addition to these two events, Palm Coast City Council members will host monthly Town Hall meetings for the remainder of the year. These meetings are designed to foster open communication and provide residents with regular opportunities to engage with their local leaders. Details for upcoming meetings will be posted on the City of Palm Coast’s website.
JOE D says
I think these TOWN HALL meetings should have been the standard all along (although not necessarily monthly…maybe every 2-3 months in addition to TOPIC specific WORKSHOPS).
The one thing I don’t see is EVENING Town Halls….maybe 6pm-8:30. Many citizens work during the day, and the two proposed time slots can’t work with people who don’t get off of work until 4:30-5:30….so ROTATING time slots would be more appropriate.
As long as the TOWN HALLS don’t deteriorate into anger outbursts or name calling…they should be a good start in showing governmental TRANSPARENCY.
The one thing people have to realize, that you don’t get City/County services for FREE. You either have to shift costs around to prioritize necessary services, or if you want lowers costs, you need to do without desired services….you can’t have it both ways.
I also hope that this isn’t just an ELECTION YEAR stunt, but a periodic continued PLAN for the future.
Deborah Coffey says
All good points, Joe.
David S. says
Political B.S. move by Alfin and others…
FLF says
Always entertaining how polititions start to want to listen to constituents 6 months before the election to make sure they get their BS script accurate enough to play to the masses while their previous actions tell an entirely different story. Too late Mr. Alfin, too late…..
Crystal Lang says
You can have all the Town Hall meetings you want and all the monthly evening meetings you want and NOTHING will change. “Listening to our residents and understanding their needs is crucial for making Palm Coast a better place for all of us,” said Alfin. “I look forward to an open discussion where we can talk about the important issues in our community. I invite everyone to come, share their thoughts, and enjoy a cup of coffee with me.” (Alfin is in a re-election race.) ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS COMMENT. First off, aren’t the Tuesday meetings where you discuss your issues? If nothing comes out of those meetings what makes you all think that something will come out of these meetings. I have to laugh since Alfin has been mayor I don’t recall Town Hall meetings. Five months to November and all of a sudden there are these Town Hall meetings popping up. It is too late for this. He don’t listen at the monthly meetings he sure as hell not going to listen in these meetings.
@Joe D: What do you mean by “you don’t get city/county services for FREE ………you can’t have it both ways????