Fresno Mayor Holds Town Hall Meeting | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Fresno, CA Last month the mayor held an electronic town hall meeting ... from her office here she reached out to more than 10 thousand residents over the phone. This was a more traditional, face to face session, away from city hall.

The session took place at a rented hall in Central Fresno. The mayor and city leaders heard a variety of citizen concerns.

Concerns also voiced about the county's budget problems, and the fear that criminals arrested by police would quickly be back on the streets.

Jack Daniel said, "The cuts that have come into play, how is this going to affect the police department picking up gang members and they have to go the county to be put in jail and they turn right around and turn them loose."

"We are trying to do everything in our power to keep these people in jail," said Chief Dyer.

The Mayor and city leaders heard complaints about water conservation, sewer problems, street sweeping. Citizens got a pledge their concern were heard, and will be acted on.

Mayor Swearengin said, "I think there was some real useful input here tonight on some things we walked away with that we need to follow up on."

Since she's been in office, the mayor has pledged to be open and accessible. Folks at Tuesday's meeting applauded her outreach efforts. Another town hall meeting is scheduled for October.