First Grassroots Candidate Forum a Success
Group to work with community to improve government/public communication and relations
On the evening of November 1, a grassroots group led by Terri Durbin sponsored the first Grassroots Candidate Forum inviting the public to ask questions of the Red Lodge candidates (Red Lodge has the only contested races this election). The grassroots group (which has yet to be formalized) began as a reaction to the 2022 flooding and the disconnect that was exposed between the current City administration and its citizens, business owners and other stakeholders. The Group would like your thoughts and suggestions as to how to engage the public and what issues should be addressed.
To begin with, the Group would like your comments and suggestions as to what we, as citizens, can do to increase public engagement and ensure public input is a key factor in decision making on City issues. For example: Quarterly Town Hall meetings, increase capacity of venue for City Council meetings, tracking/follow-up of Public concerns, enhance/revise City Website, public surveys, monthly topic specific meetings...Other? You can provide your thoughts and suggestions to Terri Durbin (tada.durbin@gmail.com). The Group will take information they gather from the public to develop an action plan for the Group to put into effect in January Their goal is to make sure your voices are heard at City Hall, the County Commissioners’ office and the State capitol.
Terri Durbin, Sheila Noel and the entire group would like to thank the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation for donating the space, equipment (and a staff member to run it: special shout out to Mitch Lagge!), the candidates both for participating in the Forum and stepping up to serve in public office, the media for covering the event and especially the people who came out to participate in person and online while the final game of the World Series was playing.
The entire forum can be viewed below.