The mayor’s first monthly “Coffee with the Mayor” at the new city hall was exactly what Mayor Gary Manier wanted: an informal gathering of both community leaders, city staff and residents.
Those who showed up Saturday morning for doughnut holes from Ron’s Donuts, coffee and Manier’s favorite vanilla caramel coffee creamer included chief of police Jim Kuchenbecker, fire chief Mike Vaughn, city administrator Bob Morris, alderman Jim Gee and, of course, Mayor Manier and his wife, Lada.
Illinois representative Keith Sommer and Tazewell County deputy treasurer, Mary Burress also stopped by to chat.
Although a few Washington residents came with questions about lighting certain streets, changing a stop sign to a yield sign and other minor concerns, people who ventured out Saturday morning were greeted with a very informal gathering.
Without the newly renovated city hall building, this monthly meeting would not be possible.
In the former city hall, where staff shared cramped space with the ever-expanding police department, Manier did not even have his own desk. And city staff who did have desks were often forced to share their space with boxes of paperwork and records.
Sitting around the large table in just one of the spacious conference rooms in the city’s new location at 301 Walnut St., it is clear the potential impact of the new facility.
The building is more welcoming and more accessible to the public, fostering better communication between city staff and Washington residents.
“This building is a great representation of the community and the community should be very proud of this facility,” said Gloria McNett, who came Saturday morning to tour the new building and talk with Kuchenbecker about a stop sign.
Manier said he would eventually like to hold two “Coffee with the Mayor” meetings per month. That means four hours a month when anyone can stop by city hall with any question or concern, or just to chat.
City officials, of course, are always accessible for people to contact with questions. But, the more welcoming building and large conference rooms are particularly amenable to socializing and improving the communication between Washington residents and city officials.
The only thing left is for people to take advantage of it.
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The mayor’s first monthly “Coffee with the Mayor” at the new city hall was exactly what Mayor Gary Manier wanted: an informal gathering of both community leaders, city staff and residents.
Those who showed up Saturday morning for doughnut holes from Ron’s Donuts, coffee and Manier’s favorite vanilla caramel coffee creamer included chief of police Jim Kuchenbecker, fire chief Mike Vaughn, city administrator Bob Morris, alderman Jim Gee and, of course, Mayor Manier and his wife, Lada.
Illinois representative Keith Sommer and Tazewell County deputy treasurer, Mary Burress also stopped by to chat.
Although a few Washington residents came with questions about lighting certain streets, changing a stop sign to a yield sign and other minor concerns, people who ventured out Saturday morning were greeted with a very informal gathering.
Without the newly renovated city hall building, this monthly meeting would not be possible.
In the former city hall, where staff shared cramped space with the ever-expanding police department, Manier did not even have his own desk. And city staff who did have desks were often forced to share their space with boxes of paperwork and records.
Sitting around the large table in just one of the spacious conference rooms in the city’s new location at 301 Walnut St., it is clear the potential impact of the new facility.
The building is more welcoming and more accessible to the public, fostering better communication between city staff and Washington residents.
“This building is a great representation of the community and the community should be very proud of this facility,” said Gloria McNett, who came Saturday morning to tour the new building and talk with Kuchenbecker about a stop sign.
Manier said he would eventually like to hold two “Coffee with the Mayor” meetings per month. That means four hours a month when anyone can stop by city hall with any question or concern, or just to chat.
City officials, of course, are always accessible for people to contact with questions. But, the more welcoming building and large conference rooms are particularly amenable to socializing and improving the communication between Washington residents and city officials.
The only thing left is for people to take advantage of it.
