VALDOSTA – Valdosta residents sought insight from city council members and leaders about affordable housing issues during a town hall meeting Thursday evening.
Council members Eric Howard of District 4, Tim Carroll of District 5 and Thomas McIntyre Sr. of District 3 planned the evening’s educational meeting. McIntyre was unable to attend due to illness while Howard and Carroll hosted the meeting at the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation building.
“We just wanted to let our citizens know the rights they have as a renter and a homeowner,” Howard said in a brief interview prior to the meeting.
Howard said the council members hoped to receive more positive engagement and residents could feel less formal as the purpose of the town hall being held outside the council chambers.
Attendees heard presentations from several city employees such as Anetra Riley, the neighborhood development and community project manager; Josh Hunt, the city marshal for zone one and Fire Chief Brian Boutwell throughout the evening.
Riley introduced the Valdosta Click & Fix which is a mobile app and website tool powered by SeeClickFix. Residents can report non-emergency issues in their neighborhoods directly to city hall.
The meeting was held in an open-dialogue session allowing for attendees to ask questions regarding the difference between a citation, violation or a condemnation, what it means when a city marshal visits, and plans that the city is taking to address housing as a whole.
Shanderlin Watkins, a Valdosta resident of 14 years, raised questions regarding what plans the city can take on improving the overall experience for graduates and bringing more jobs that require degrees to the area.
“This was very educational. I got the opportunity to ask questions about things I had been wondering about for years, regarding what they are going to do to enhance the city as far as what was going to be offered for the youth, housing, and job opportunities,” Watkins said in an interview once the town hall concluded.
She explained it was important for her to attend because it is a way for her to be involved, learn what’s going on in the community and to see what the City of Valdosta is working on.
The council members are looking forward to hosting more town hall meetings in the future focusing on ranging topics.