Mayfield to begin series of ‘listening sessions’

Vicksburg Ward 1 Alderman Thomas Mayfield will begin a series of town hall-style meetings dubbed “Listening Sessions” Wednesday.

Mayfield said the sessions are being held in order to connect face-to-face with members of Ward 1 and open a dialogue about concerns within his constituency.

“It’s a program where people will have the opportunity to give me their ideas,” Mayfield said. “I want to speak to the people before big decisions are made.”

Mayfield said the word sessions is an important part of the upcoming events, as he would like to give all members of Ward 1 an opportunity to have his or her voice heard.

“I want to give people the opportunity to shake my hand and me be able to give them a card,” he said. “There isn’t a virtual option, so they will have to show up to one of the six (sessions). Two of them are explicitly for younger people. So many times, we tell them what they need, but we never give them the opportunity to be there.”

Wednesday’s opening session will take place from 6 until 7 p.m. at the Youth Development Center, located at 2020 Mission 66 and is geared toward residents ages 18 to 25.

Additional planned sessions include: Thursday, July 18, 6 until 7 p.m. at the Robert M. Walker Annex Building, located at 1415 Walnut Street; Thursday, July 25, 6 until 7 p.m. at the Kings Empowerment Center, located at 225 RL Chase Circle; Monday, July 29, 6 until 7 p.m. at the Youth Development Center (ages 13-17); Thursday, August 1, 6 until 7 p.m. at 2351 Oak Street; and Wednesday, August 7, 6 until 7 p.m. at the Gertrude A. Young Community Center, located at 923 Walnut Street.