Topliff hosts first Coffee with the Mayor

For the first time since he took office in May 2021, West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff hosted Coffee with the Mayor. Intended to be an informal public forum allowing citizens to both free their minds and meet the city official responsible for addressing specific concerns, the first coffee hour took place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 11. 

Citizens broached topics from the recent Lincoln St. electric substation fire to nuisance violations and the testing of fire hydrants. Nuisance properties and how to stop the spread of urban decay dominated the discussion prompted a lively discussion among the attendees.

Representatives of city departments were on hand to respond to concerns. City Administrator Sam Anselm was present as was Police Chief Stephen Monticelli, City Clerk Allison Skinner, City Planner Emily Gibson and others. 

These officials and department heads were able to answer questions on the spot and even announce possible solutions to city concerns. For instance, City Planner Emily Gibson mentioned the availability of unused CDBG funds that could possibly be used to address blighted or abandoned properties. The city is actively seeking to claim these funds, Gibson confirmed. 

“I was very apprehensive about how this was going to go,” said Mayor Topliff at the end of the hour, “A lot of your concerns [the department heads] are working on. It’s just not out there that they are working on it.”

A spokesperson for the city confirms Coffee with the Mayor will be a monthly event so long as there is public interest.