Mayor Gutierrez Hosts Telephone Town Hall

MORENO VALLEY>> On Wednesday, March 29, Mayor Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez hosted Moreno Valley's first ever Telephone Town Hall, where he had the opportunity to answer questions and listen to the concerns of Moreno Valley residents. Unlike a traditional town hall meeting, a Telephone Town Hall meeting allows residents to speak to the mayor without having to leave their homes. This is especially beneficial to those who work long hours, had prior commitments, or could not physically attend a town hall meeting. The Telephone Town Hall was broadcast simultaneously in English and Spanish. “Community engagement was crucial,” Gutierrez said. “All of our lives are so busy, it’s difficult to try to squeeze in one more appointment. The Telephone Town Halls will make it as easy as possible for residents to hear about what is going on in our City, ask questions, and air their concerns. We want to hear from you.” The call lasted an hour. Using a talk-radio format, pre-registered residents either questioned the mayor about issues concerning the city or they remained silent, preferring to listen to the conversation rather than talk. The mayor answered questions about many topics from potholes and policing, to fence regulations and speed limits. Callers who were not able to ask a question before the call ended had the opportunity to leave messages, along with their question and contact information. City staff plan to follow up with these callers to answer their questions and respond to their concerns. After the phone call, Mayor Gutierrez followed up with the concerns of the citizens, and the pothole that was complained about during the Telephone Town Hall was repaired the next day.