This Thursday, just like every third Thursday of each month, Ludlow Mayor Chris Wright will host an informal get-together at Ludlow Coffee on Elm Street from 6-7 p.m. Grab a drink and a snack and get to know the city’s new face in the local government.
There to converse with Ludlow’s citizens about Ludlow’s happenings, projects and ideas, Wright hopes these events will be a point of connection for people and government.
“I want this to be an opportunity for the Ludlow community to listen and learn from each other in a relaxed atmosphere,” Wright said.
Not everyone can make it to the city council meetings or feels comfortable speaking at the more formal city events, which is where the idea came from.
“My goal is to offer a setting where the community still gets an opportunity to discuss what matters most to them,” Wright said.
When Wright chose to run for mayor, a main mission of his, he said, was to engage directly with people. He appreciated Ludlow’s tight-knit community and saw an opportunity to touch base with citizens in a fun way.
He knows he doesn’t have all the answers, but said he believes that personal engagement brings out the best in communities.
Inspired by Ludlow superintendent Michael Borchers’s Coffee with the Community, Wright started Coffee with the Mayor because it opens up important dialogue between people and their mayor.
Wright gets a chance to directly update people on things like code enforcements or on major projects such as the Riverfront Commons. People get a chance to offer suggestions, give insights and opinions, and discuss issues they care about.
At January’s meetup, Wright informed people of the Paint-the-Town program, which helps in-need people get their homes painted for free.
Often, Wright said, it can simply turn into a brainstorming session on a particular problem. This kind of citizen engagement is key for adding value to a city and its government, Wright said.
James Hall, owner of Ludlow Coffee, said “I am super confident this will pick up steam since our meetings with the superintendent are so successful.” He’s seen how successful the superintendent’s events have been and appreciates the support the community shows by attending them at his business.
Coffee with the Mayor happens this week, Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6-7pm at 630 Elm St.