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Public meets one-on-one with local officials

By Estuardo Garcia - | Aug 8, 2007

Tonganoxie residents asked city officials questions face to face in between sips of coffee at the Tonganoxie Public Library’s first ever meet and greet event Saturday.

More than 20 people, including city officials from planning and zoning, the recreation department, city council participated Saturday morning.

The two-hour meeting was split with the first hours strictly for city and school officials to chat and the second hour for the general public to come in and join in the conversations.

“I wanted something less formal so (the officials) could have a free flowing conversation with the public,” Sharon Moreland, library director, said.

In a speech Moreland said she wanted to encourage conversation and, “foster collaboration, networking and improve communication” between the various groups.

The conversations at the meeting ranged from personal topics, to bigger city topics, such as budgets and salaries.

Jim Truesdell, city council member, said he thought the meet and greet was a success and that the library should have such events a couple times a year.

Turnout from city officials was high, but public attendance was sparse.

Moreland said advertising was a main contributor to the low attendance.

“It’s the first one so there are going to be some kinks we need to work out,” Moreland said.