Granite Shoals residents invited to informal Coffee with the Council
STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO
GRANITE SHOALS — Granite Shoals residents have a chance to ask questions to members of the City Council in an informal setting Saturday, Feb. 3.
Three members of the Granite Shoals City Council are hosting Coffee with the Council at 9 a.m. at Crazy Gals Cafe, 8037 RR 1431 in Granite Shoals.
Todd Holland, Shirley King, and Jim Davant are representing the council.
The council purposely rotates which members represent the entity so residents can hear from new voices.
City Manager Ken Nickel noted many residents might find it difficult to attend a council meeting, which are the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Others might not want to address the council in a formal setting such as a meeting, and those who do talk during the meetings might not realize the council can’t answer back unless the item is on the agenda.
But at Coffee with the Council, residents can ask their questions and members can answer.
And don’t be surprised if members respond with a “I don’t have enough information about that to comment,” the city manager said.
That’s because while the council drives what the city does, it doesn’t handle the daily duties, he said.
“Each council member does an incredible job to try to know what we are doing,” Nickel said. “The day-to-day activities fall to the staff.”
While Nickel didn’t want to speak for the council, he did say he believes Coffee with the Council is a terrific event because it encourages dialogue in an informal setting.
“You get an opportunity to sit down with elected officials and ask questions,” he said. “In this type of environment, it gives them a chance to ask any question they like.”
He encourages attendees to come with their questions about anything related to the city and take advantage of the chance to have a conversation with elected officials.
“This is a great opportunity to give your input and state your feelings,” he said.