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Forum spotlights inclusion, cultural outreach and civility at Georgetown meetings
Summary
Candidates proposed bilingual outreach, immigrant advocacy committees, festivals and block parties to increase Hispanic and African-American participation, and called for stricter, consistent moderation of town meetings to reduce rude conduct and improve trust.
Georgetown’s candidates used a Chamber forum to lay out proposals for improving inclusion, outreach and civility at town meetings, emphasizing bilingual communication, cultural events and consistent enforcement of meeting rules.
Several candidates recommended specific outreach steps for the town’s large Hispanic population: bilingual web content or newsletters, an immigrant advocacy committee, and partnerships with churches and community leaders to distribute information and increase civic participation. Itzel Hernandez, who described herself as Mexican-American and a longtime resident, said, “We are the representation of this community,” and urged murals, cultural programs and youth workshops to celebrate history and bring people into local government.
Candidates also addressed the African-American community and historical assets such as the Richard T. Allen School. Michael Briggs and others said those communities should be acknowledged and included in festivals and planning; Angela Townsend said residents on South Railroad Avenue must not be overlooked.
On council conduct, candidates said rude or coached public comments discourage attendance and suggested clearer, consistent moderation. Peniel Barrett recommended uniform enforcement of time limits and mayoral intervention when attendees are targeting speakers. Several candidates supported keeping public comment orderly and, where appropriate, following up with dialogue outside the formal three-minute allotment.
The forum produced no binding commitments but highlighted outreach and civility as cross-cutting campaign themes that candidates said they would prioritize if elected.
