Hampton Mayor's Listening Session Scheduled for September 16
Public invited to continue community conversations on range of topics, including housing, public safety, and social services
Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray announced that his next Your Say With Mayor Gray public listening session will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center, 231 Lincoln St. The event builds on a program launched earlier this year, where residents meet with the Mayor to share concerns, ideas, and feedback about the City.
What past sessions revealed
Since March, the listening sessions have highlighted recurring themes that are shaping the city’s priorities:
Housing affordability and security – Residents called for more senior housing, disability-friendly units, and strategies to address rising costs.
Public safety and neighborhood quality – Concerns included gun violence, flooding, and the need for more cameras, lighting, and cleanup programs.
Youth and family support – Suggestions ranged from skate parks and teen hangouts to mental health services and youth job training.
Economic development – Participants encouraged small business funding, workforce training, and revitalization of spaces like Peninsula Town Center.
Community engagement – Residents asked the city to improve communication through flyers, QR codes, and postings at libraries and community centers.
“Your Questions Answered”
In addition to the in-person sessions, the city publishes a Your Questions Answered document, responding to resident feedback submitted through the program’s online form. Questions submitted through the Your Say With Mayor Gray online form have ranged from everyday neighborhood concerns to broader policy issues.
Residents have voiced frustration with rising real estate assessments and the impact of higher taxes on seniors, while others raised safety concerns about tractor-trailers exiting the Bethel landfill, or requested better lighting in the parking lots at Peninsula Town Center. Housing questions have focused on Section 8 access, voucher acceptance, and the preservation of low-density neighborhoods, while health-related feedback has included requests for more walk-in medical clinics and urgent care facilities in areas like Wythe, Buckroe, and Willow Oaks.
City officials respond to each submission in writing, often by directing the concern to the appropriate department for investigation or follow-up. For example, Public Works has been asked to review traffic safety measures near the landfill, while economic development staff are exploring ways to encourage medical providers to expand into underserved areas. In the case of property assessments, the City Assessor’s Office provides residents with data and appeals processes, while Council has highlighted recent tax rate reductions as part of its response.
These exchanges are compiled and published in the Your Questions Answered report, allowing residents to see how their concerns are being addressed and what next steps the city is taking.
Submit questions and comments
Residents who cannot attend in person can use the Your Say With Mayor Gray online feedback form to submit concerns or suggestions. The form invites comments on issues such as public safety, transportation, housing, and city services. Responses are reviewed and, in many cases, addressed publicly through the Your Questions Answered feature.
Mayor Gray emphasized that the goal is to create a direct line between residents and City Hall. “Your perspective matters—let’s work together to make Hampton an even better place to live, work, and thrive,” the program’s description reads.
The Sept. 16 session at the Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center is free and open to the public.
A Hampton Daily contributor used AI tools and these sources:
Hampton News Flash - Mayor Gray announces new date for public listening session
Hampton webpage - Community Listening Sessions Key Takeaways
Hampton webpage - Your Say With Mayor Gray question and feedback form
Hampton pdf - “Your Questions Answered”
