- April 24, 2024
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People were leaving the club house at Aberdeen, a retirement community off Clyde Morris Boulevard, loaded with brochures and flyers March 2 after visiting Ormond Beach to Go, the new “traveling City Hall.”
There were also many recycle bins being carried out.
“My bin is 16 years old and it’s broken,” said Jean Barr.
The large room in the clubhouse was filled with tables manned by city personnel, representing finance, leisure services, information technology, public works, code enforcement, the fire department and police.
This was the first Ormond Beach 2 Go event, which is intended to bring city services directly to residents in their communities to help them get what they need, according to spokeswoman Loretta Moisio.
“I didn’t know there were half the programs they have.”
ANN MARIE GIBB, Aberdeen resident
“Whether it’s because of mobility issues, time constraints, or location, getting to City Hall in person can sometimes be difficult,” she said.
Ned Huhta, information technology director, was showing people how to use ormondbeach.org, the city website.
“It’s the primary place to get information,” he said.
Resident Ann Marie Gibb said she had a lot of reading to do, pointing to the thick packet she was carrying.
“I didn’t know there were half the programs they have,” she said. She was interested in the volunteer opportunities.
Her friend, Janet Vincent, said she had asked the policeman how to dispose of a firearm.
Rhoda Ulas, resident, said she had been getting her water bill by both email and regular mail and was able to straighten that out at the finance table.
The fire department provided information on home safety, and the popular brochures at the police table were about the self-defense class and the citizens academy.
People were also learning about job openings, recreational opportunities and even getting their blood pressure checked.
“It was very informative,” said Julie Jauci.
The popular flyer on the Public Works table was the information about the next hazardous waste drop-off, which is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 1 at 501 N. Orchard St.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan reported that 30 residents of the community visited the City Hall outreach in the first hour.
She heard about the idea for the event from other city managers at conferences, and thought it would work in Ormond Beach.
“We’re all about being responsive to citizens and what better way than to take city hall to the people?” Shanahan said.
To have Ormond Beach 2 Go visit your community, contact Terri Hamsher at 676-3201.
