April 8, 2003

Letter: Residents urged to attend Annual Public Forum

To the editor:

All citizens of Newburyport are reminded that the Annual Public Forum is planned for Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. As ordered by this office and the City Council, this forum provides citizens the opportunity to consult with city representatives and neighbors about community-related issues and make recommendations regarding local government.

While not technically an "annual town meeting" with "warrants" voted into law, each spring the Annual Public Forum offers citizens a means to influence the process at a critical point in the fiscal calendar. Though the forum is purposely scheduled during the budget process, the conversation will not be restricted to fiscal concerns.

As was the case at the first forum, citizens will be encouraged to express what they consider is "going well" in addition to issues and ideas. Using this annual benchmark to measure the progress of matters discussed last year, the upcoming Annual Public Forum will offer the opportunity to both assess and influence "where we are and where we are going." On behalf of this office and the City Council, you are invited to join in the process.

Anyone wishing further information, including transcripts of last year's ward recordings or other coverage of the event, may submit inquiry to forum@cityofnewburyport.com.

ALAN P. LAVENDER, mayor

Newburyport