Ventura's Westside community neighbors and businesses are invited to a neighborhood get-together with City representatives December 13, 6 - 8pm

Westside community members and businesses are invited to a neighborhood "get together" with Ventura city staff on Thursday, December 13, from 6 to 8pm at Sheridan Way Elementary School, 573 Sheridan Way. The event is free, and anyone who lives or works in the Ventura Avenue and surrounding area is encouraged to attend.

The initiative, called " Taking It To The Streets", is a great opportunity for community members to speak directly with City staff to get answers and solutions on the spot. Questions or concerns about neighborhood issues - such as pedestrian safety, crime, parking, graffiti, street repairs, homeless services, traffic and lighting - will be addressed by City staffers. Representatives from the Ventura Police and Fire Departments, as well as the City Manager's Office, Community Services (recreation, social services, cultural events), Community Development (building, planning and economic development), and Public Works (parks, recreation, streets, traffic, water) will be available to answer questions.

Spanish-speaking staff members from various city departments and services will help with translations and PEAK staff (Program Enrichment for After School Kids) will provide supervised activities for children age 5 and older. A surprise guest (wearing a red suit and fluffy white beard!) will visit the children and bring gifts. Light refreshments will be served.

Ventura Police Chief Pat Miller will be at the December 13 event and says, "The idea of this public meeting is to bring community members, safety officers and city staff together to resolve neighborhood concerns. I've always said we can't do this job by ourselves. T he more connection we can have with the community, the better."

The first " Taking It To The Streets" held in August at Cemetery Memorial Park drew many downtown area residents and business owners with questions specific to their neighborhood. The outreach effort is part of the city's General Plan goal towards "Achieving the Vision...one neighborhood, one project at a time." Future events are planned for the Midtown area and East Ventura community.