Media Release
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Rabago
(856) 451-3407
rabagok@cityofbridgeton.com
BRIDGETON MAYOR TO HOLD EVENING HOURS TO BE
ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS
For working people, it’s hard
to squeeze in everything during the course of the work day; which is why
Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly will start holding evening hours on certain days
each month in an effort to make City Hall a little more accessible to
constituents.
“It’s hard for people
working a nine-to-five type of schedule to do everything they need to do during
the day. It’s even harder for them to connect with elected officials and
representatives if we only make ourselves available during normal business
hours. That’s why I want to have some evening hours each month; so residents
know they can be heard when they’re available to speak” said Kelly.
To start, the additional
evening hours will be from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Wednesday evenings at 50 E.
Broad Street beginning July 22nd and every fourth Wednesday of each
month thereafter. The time is open for citizens and no appointment is
necessary. While City departments are closed then, Kelly will do follow-up the
next day for questions or issues involving departments within the City.
“While most City
departments close for the day at 4:30pm, anyone needing follow-up with another
department can be assured that I will be contacting the appropriate personnel
the next business day to address questions or issues raised by a citizen and do
the appropriate follow-up” Kelly said.
As for the need, Kelly
understands the frustration of stopping in at City Hall only to be told that
the mayor is not unavailable. While such a scenario is common in any community,
it tends to be more so for part-time mayors in smaller communities.
“Our citizens are very
patient and understanding when it comes to time and access. Citizens want to
know that the mayor is on the job and doing the public’s business, but they
also want to know that they can speak and be heard when they have an issue or a
concern. My hope is that carving out a little time in the evening and creating
some flexibility will help with that” Kelly said.
Going forward, Kelly will consider
other ideas to bring local government closer to the community.
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