I’ve mentioned in this space before how important I feel it is for public interaction with governmental operation.

We elect selected men and women to perform a specific function. During their time in office they either meet, exceed or fall short of our expectations. Many times, they do all three over a series of events that span four years or more.

I have long advocated the importance of getting in front of these people and letting them know what you think of their work, good, bad or indifferent.

Demopolis mayor Mike Grayson will host his first Town Hall Meeting of the calendar year March 30 at 5:30 at Rooster Hall. This is your first and best opportunity to find out what’s going on and in what direction it is heading.

The meeting is an opportunity for the mayor to get before the public and address key issues and opportunities in the community. But, he can’t do that if you don’t show up.

I doubt his intent in holding this meeting is to talk to me and his department managers. He needs your participation.

Also during the meeting, Grayson will also recognize two of the city’s departments; Public Works and City Hall. Other department, most notable the fire and police departments, routinely get recognition. It’s easy to see them at work.

However, I can assure you that you don’t want to live in a city with an inefficient or non-existent public works department. City Hall serves as “the brain” of city operations. It’s importance, and the importance of its employees, cannot be understated.

Grayson said he expects the meeting will last 90 minutes or less and will dismiss promptly at 7 p.m. That’s an hour and half of your time that would be well invested in learning a little more about the place you call home.

Jason Cannon is the publisher of The Demopolis Times.