Dozens showed up to get 10 minutes with Warner Robins mayor. She plans more 1-on-1 events

Ten-minute meetings with a local mayor may have sparked change in the Middle Georgia city of Warner Robins last week.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick and the city organized an open-door meeting event at City Hall on April 17 which allowed citizens to discuss their concerns and share their ideas directly with her in short time windows, leading her to find issues she wants to address.

The “Moment with Mayor: Ten Minute Power Talks” event was based on receiving calls and comments from citizens of Warner Robins that affected them personally and could benefit the city as well.

Patrick welcomed residents to city offices to talk with her, a proposition which had people lining up at 10:30 a.m. that day, Patrick said. The talks began at 12:30 p.m.

Although each person was supposed to get 10 minutes on a first-come, first-serve basis, she said she accommodated the crowd depending on the discussion they had. Over 50 people came to the event, Patrick said.

“It was more successful than I thought,” Patrick said.

So what issues did people bring up? Patrick said residents in wheelchairs showed up to raise concerns about the accessibility of sidewalks in Warner Robins and other people highlighted a lack of senior citizen-friendly activities in the city. Patrick said she’s seeking options to address both of those problems.

Patrick said she plans to hold these events every other month.

“I’m big on one-on-one events,” Patrick said.