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In an effort to provide Edwardsville residents with an outlet to express concerns and questions, the city conducted its first-ever Town Hall meeting last week.

Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers said the meeting, which will now become a monthly event, was organized so that residents had an appropriate place to discuss topics.

“It’s yet just another avenue for citizens to express their concerns or comments that are not always appropriate in City Council meetings, which is for business items,” Rodgers said.

The town hall meetings got off to a slow start, however, as only four residents attended Wednesday. Rodgers said he wasn’t sure if the reason for that was because it was the first one or because no residents have any concerns.

“Maybe it’s because it’s new and people aren’t used to it,” he said. “But I find it hard to believe people don’t have concerns.”

The town hall meetings will be at the end of each month. Rodgers said the date would move to different days of the week so that the meeting would accommodate as many people as possible who may have obligations in the evening.

At each meeting, Rodgers and City Administrator Michael Webb will be present to field questions. Rodgers said he also hoped to have at least one Council member present to assist with the process.

The goal of the town hall meetings, Rodgers said, would be to create more of a dialogue between residents and the city administration. He said Council meetings didn’t allow for a true dialogue to take place due to time restrictions and full agendas.

“It’s always a concern of mine, even as a citizen,” Rodgers said, “that there is a forum for people to express concerns besides City Council meetings.”

The next town hall meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29 at the Edwardsville Community Center, 696 S. Third St.

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1. 16 May 2008 at 10:57 a.m.

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   triedntru (Anonymous) says…

   This is the first I'd heard about these town hall meetings being scheduled. I'll be sure to attend the next one.

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