Chat with the Mayor is a new initiative by Pitt Meadows Mayor John Becker, who makes himself available to residents on Saturday mornings at local coffee shops.
On Jan. 21 he held court at Blenz at Meadowtown Mall, and even bought coffee for seven citizens who wanted to bend his ear.
Arts and culture was high on the agenda, and members of the arts community were there for a chat.
Becker noted council created some controversy by leaving the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council. But he said the Pitt Meadows arts community is now starting with "a blank canvass."
"We need to take off our training wheels, and give it a go," urged the mayor.
Other topics included making city spaces as safe for women as they are for men, the new environmental officer, transit and community engagement.
On transit, Becker said he has spoken with Translink CEO Kevin Desmond about increasing community shuttle service "like waterbugs through the community."
On community engagement, he said the city had done a poor job with the Onni development in South Bonson.
"We've stumbled through that like a drunk getting out of a Lions game."
As a public relations exercise, it worked on Saturday. All those who attended said they appreciated the mayor's frankness and availability.
"It's wonderful having access to our political decision makers," said Patricia Johnston, although she said the early Saturday start time presents challenges for a mother with young children.
Linda Nelson and Liz Boulton were there to talk to the mayor about arts and culture, in advance of a community discussion about the arts on Sunday evening, at 7 p.m. at city hall.
Nelson said she appreciated the informal session.
"It's a relaxed situation. You can have back-and-forth discussion, and it frees you of the constraints John is tied to at a council meeting," she said.
"All you have to do is get out of bed, and it's coffee on the mayor's dime."
Trudy Deaton gave kudos to the mayor for giving his own time.
"He's collecting ideas," she said.
Talking to a community of 18,000 in groups of six or seven at a time is a worthwhile exercise, said Becker.
"It's very effective," he said. "But it's not very efficient – which is fine."
It lets him hear from people who can't attend council meetings, and they can speak on any topic.
It also gives him a different perspective from those who regularly attend council.
"Those people do their homework and I respect their points of view, but I need to hear from more people than the handful of folks who are there all the time, or those who have a special interest."
The next Chat with the Mayor will be Feb. 4, at 8 a.m. at Waves Coffee at 106-20199 Harris Rd.