Engaging community on the mind for Mayor Prince

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince is making his way around the city for Listen & Talk Tour encouraging community engagement.

Prince said one of the most important things he can do as mayor is meet directly with residents to hear their concerns. Residents can come to the sessions and have their questions about the city and its services answered.

There will be five Listen & Talk Tour dates at locations throughout the city, each taking place on Thursday.

“They have very real important concerns,” Prince said Friday on the heels of his opening talk Thursday at the Greater Gary YWCA.

“I may not always like what I hear, but I’m glad residents feel they can bring issues directly to me,” Prince said.

Prince was joined by department heads for the session where residents were encouraged to bring their questions to the floor. Department heads and managers provided updates for their respective departments and answered questions.

He said the dialogue with residents also gives him the opportunity to gauge how his department heads and managers are doing.

Attendees raised a variety of concerns at the Thursday session. Prince expects to receive more input at the remaining four session.

“Cleaning up the neighborhoods in our city was a main concern, but residents also have concerns about public safety, animal control and education,” Prince said.

Remaining sessions take place June 2 at 6 p.m. at The ARTHOUSE, A Social Kitchen, 411 E. 5th Ave.; June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Oak Street Health Primary Care, 4900 Broadway; June 16 at 6 p.m. at St. Timothy Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave., and June 23 at 6 p.m. at Indiana University Northwest, Library Room 105, 3400 Broadway.