Starting Feb. 6, Mayor Gary Manier will sit down over a cup of coffee with Washington citizens once a month to hear their questions and discuss their concerns.
Manier will host “Coffee with the Mayor” 8 to 10 a.m. once a month at the new city hall location at 301 Walnut St.
Before the move, Manier shared a desk with the city treasurer, Ellen Dingledine, and did not have a free room to accommodate a monthly coffee hour.
“Not having an office was an issue, and I didn’t want to pick one restaurant in town over another. City hall belongs to the people,” Manier said.
East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus has hosted weekly “Mornings with the Mayor” meetings in East Peoria for more than a year.
“It seemed like something that was a natural thing to do. I’d been in coffee shops and seen that people like to gather and talk. It’s a lot less formal than a city hall meeting,” Mingus said.
And with an informal setting, Mingus said people are a lot more open about their concerns and questions.
“I hear a lot of different concerns, and it has been a really good resource to keep in touch with the community.
“I know it will work out well for Washington, too. There’s something about a cup of coffee and an informal meeting.
“Gary is an excellent listener, and that’s one of the key components. He will listen to people and follow up on their concerns,” Mingus said.
Mayor Gary Manier said it was Mingus’ success with the meetings and the new building that spurred him to try it in Washington.
“The five mayors of the area, we try to meet once a month to talk about things we can do to improve our cities.
“Mayor Mingus told me he gets some ideas and sometimes people tell him about things he might be doing wrong,” Manier said, adding, “That’s what we need to hear, instead of people just talking to their own neighbors or friends over coffee.
“You can’t be 24/7 in town, so you need to realize what’s happening. This gives me an opportunity to meet with the citizenry.”
If enough people show interest, Manier said he would consider hosting the coffee hour twice a month.
Washington, Ill. —
