The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department went right to the top to land a special guest for ‘Know Your Rights’ video it created and posted on social media – Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott.

With a picture of the City of Henderson seal in the background, Elliott fielded questions from members of the department’s Youth Services Outreach program for just over 36 minutes, touching on topics that ranged from the mayor’s and City Council’s role in municipal governance to knowing your rights when interacting with law enforcement.

Antonio Perry, Youth Services Outreach administrator, and Rebecca Marcelin, Youth Services Outreach specialist, took turns asking questions to create an informal, but informative, session with Elliott, who was elected mayor in 2023.

Elliott described herself as an advocate, whether for the city she represents in a Tier 1 county or as the founder of Gang Free, Inc., which seeks to deter youth from gang participation.

In a Poli Sci 101 kind of way, she explained that the mayor “sets the vision” for the city. “The mayor has no control over employees,” she said. That’s the job of a city manager. The mayor presides over City Council meetings, but casts no votes unless there’s a tie.

She teased out the difference in “equal” versus “equitable,” and said one of her responsibilities as mayor is to ensure that all city residents are treated fairly, drawing a distinction between equal and equitable.

“Everything doesn’t work for everybody,” she said, “but everybody should have a voice.”

City residents can voice their opinions in several different ways, she said, from attending Council meetings and signing up to speak during the public comment periods.

“People have a lot they want to say and they may not come to City Hall,” Elliott said. “We encourage them to come to City Hall, but sometimes it’s user-friendly when you actually go to where they are.”

She said she’d like to revive the concept of Town Hall meetings, which would take City Council members into the community to interact with constituents on their own turf.

City residents can talk to their ward representative, contact the mayor’s office or even submit written requests when they have concerns that aren’t being addressed, Elliott said.

“Some people don’t do well in public speaking,” she said. “They can write it out and submit it. They can organize their neighbors and get a champion in their community to speak for everybody,” she said.

The important thing to remember is to make your voices heard and participate in local government.

“Your city needs you,” Elliott said. Not just your vote, she continued, but your voice, your ideas, your energy.

She said she has established a number of committees since she took office for various groups, including the faith-based community, Hispanics, LGBTQ and seniors. She also would like to form a Youth Council, to “give them space and let them talk – let them say what’s on their mind…let them give the answers,” Elliott said.

In a recent talk with young people at a school to discuss a walkability study, Elliott was curious about why youth weren’t walking.

“Know the number one reason why they didn’t walk? – no sidewalks,” Elliott said. “It wasn’t gunshots, it wasn’t ‘I’m scared to go outside,’” she continued. “Sidewalks and dogs – they were scared they were going to get bit.”

This is the kind of information that Elliott said, once city leaders know about it, it’s time to take action and find a solution.

Whether it’s finding a way to create sidewalks or improve lighting in certain areas to make folks feel safer, Elliott said she’s all about reaching into the community and listening to residents.

“Show up!” she said, “Show up in numbers – this city belongs to the community members. No one player…can say this is my city – this city belongs to us all. We need everybody’s voice at the table, not a select few. We need all people to come forward.”

In response to a question about how to interact with others – whether it’s by the police or when paying your water bill – Elliott said it’s important to be kind and courteous and to know your Constitutional rights.

“No one should be treated unfairly (or) unjustly,” she said.

If you feel like your rights are being violated in some way, request to speak to a supervisor, she said.

On the topic of affordable housing, Elliott said Henderson is thousands of units below where it should be when it comes to housing. “We do not have enough housing in our community,” she said, and added that the city is working to tackle some of the challenges to overcome the hurdles, from new homes on First Avenue to strengthening the minimum housing code.

A resource map is in the works that will be posted on the city’s website to assist residents who are looking for housing.

Recently, when a local motel was shut down, displacing numerous families who were living there, Elliott said the city took action. “We are not social services, but we can be innovative in our practices,” she said. Those families received $2,000 to aid them in finding new housing.

“We have the power to give people hope, no matter what color they are,” she said.

“I like doing that.”

View the complete interview at https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02CYZsXiBVTyRvUb7svYKQ8eSYdYjJfp7DjTKsCzKncSvSzQ29XvUXGiyvdxu5eQs7l&id=100063481573860

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