PORT CHESTER, N.Y. Mayor Dennis Pilla announced Thursday his support of a town hall style meeting next week in response to a group of Port Chester residents who expressed concern about quality-of-life issues in the village on Facebook.
I see this as a great opportunity for a 21st century democracy project, by leveraging the social media to mobilize people, get them into a room, and organize around actionable issues to advance the village, said Pilla.
Pilla says he was approached at a village board meeting by resident Keith Morlino, the creator of the Facebook group Making Port Chester A Better Place. Pilla says Morlino informed him of the range of concerns residents had. They met with a small group of residents in person and thought it would be productive and meaningful to get the power of the government involved to enact changes.
I think [the meeting is] going to be very fruitful and win-win on all sides. People dont realize that some good ideas are already on the radar and being acted on. Some are ideas that while they make sense there may be reasons why theyre not feasible, said Pilla.
This isnt the first time Pilla has been approached with quality-of-life issues. He says in the past residents have been most concerned about taxes, code enforcement, overcrowded housing, crime and safety and the spillover effect these issues have on schools.
Im looking at this as a great opportunity to tap into the enthusiasm of our residents and as a great opportunity to inform our residents of not only the issues, but also what were doing and plans that we have, said Pilla, adding that he thinks the meeting will attract strong attendance from all over the village. Thats why Im advertising this beyond the Facebook group. I want to make sure that were being all-inclusive and getting input from the entire village.
The town hall meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Port Chester Senior Community Center, in the rear of 222 Grace Church Street.
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