Stratford Mayor Launching New Initiative To Meet Directly With Residents

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford Mayor David Chess is launching a new initiative where he will reserve one hour each week to meet directly with residents.

Chess said the initiative is part of his commitment to a “more transparent and accessible local government.”

“There are no agendas and no appointments necessary,” Chess said in a message to residents. “This is a space for casual, face-to-face conversation where you can share your ideas, voice concerns, or simply say hi.”

Read more from Chess below:

How it works

Because your time is valuable and I want to reach as many people as possible, please keep the following in mind:

• First come, first served: To keep things fair and informal, we will welcome visitors in the order they arrive.
• Time awareness: To ensure I can speak with as many neighbors as possible during the hour, we may keep individual chats brief. If I’m not able to get to everyone before the hour is up, please know that more sessions are scheduled throughout the month!
• A culture of respect: We all care deeply about Stratford, and that can lead to passionate discussions. All viewpoints are welcome, but I ask that everyone approach these chats with kindness. Even when we don’t see eye to eye, we can still keep the conversation respectful.
• Listening first: While I may not be able to “fix” every issue, I’m here to listen, learn, and partner with you. If something requires more research or a specific department’s expertise, I’ll point you in the right direction to get the ball rolling.

Flexibility for busy schedules

To ensure every resident has a chance to participate—regardless of their work or childcare schedules—the dates and times of these sessions will vary each week. We will offer morning, afternoon, and evening options throughout the month.

Where and when to find us

For the first month, all sessions will be held in the Mayor’s Office (2nd floor) at Town Hall, 2725 Main Street, Stratford. In the coming months, I hope to take the show on the road and come to your neighborhood.

• Friday, Jan. 9: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 15: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 24: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: 12 noon – 1 p.m.

My goal is to be accessible. While I might not have a magic wand for every concern, I promise an open ear and a commitment to helping our community move forward together. I hope to see you soon!