Huntsville officials invite Hispanic and Latino communities to town hall event

Published on May 23, 2024

Hispanic and Latino residents are invited to engage with leaders from the City of Huntsville and Huntsville City Schools as part of an upcoming town hall event.

The event, hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) and District 4 Council Member Bill Kling, is Sunday, June 2, from 5-6:30 p.m. at McDonnell Elementary School cafeteria, 4010 Binderton Place SW, Huntsville.

Several representatives from the City of Huntsville and Huntsville City Schools will be in attendance, including Mayor Tommy Battle, Police Chief Kirk Giles, Council Member Kling and Kenny Anderson, Director of the City’s ODEI. Other panelists scheduled to attend are Marcos Almonte of the Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council, Huntsville City Schools District 4 Board Member Ryan Renaud and Huntsville City Schools ESOL Coordinator Tammy Robbins.

Interpreters will at the meeting. A light meal will also be provided.

The town hall is the second such event featuring officials from both the City and Huntsville City Schools. Anderson said a town hall held last October proved officials need to do more to communicate with Hispanic and Latino residents.

“Members of our Hispanic community live, work, and spend money here, and should have access to services many of us take for granted,” he said. “It is our responsibility to create opportunities for engagement, provide necessary resources, and ensure their questions and concerns are heard.”

Council Member Kling, an outspoken advocate for Hispanic and Latino residents, said he looks forward to hearing more of their concerns and finding solutions to their challenges.

“I am proud to serve a diverse district and want to make a special effort to provide information, services, and receive feedback from members of the Hispanic community,” he said.