On October 27, I hosted a town hall meeting at Chelsea City Hall to discuss a number of topics with citizens of Shelby County.

Rep. Mike Hill and Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven joined me for the first of many community meetings I plan to hold throughout Shelby County in the coming months.

The meeting focused on the Jefferson County sewer crisis and the negative impact it going unresolved can have on Shelby County, a recap of the 2011 legislative session and an overview of the state budget. While these are tough issues to tackle in a town hall meeting with limited time, I was pleased with the interest and involvement of the audience while discussing these issues.

I am constantly encouraged when I see citizens engaged in matters that affect their communities and work proactively with elected officials to solve these problems.

I have been holding town hall meetings throughout my district since I was elected to represent the people of Jefferson and Shelby County.

These town halls are a critical part of my job as your state senator, and it is something I look forward to it each time one is scheduled. I believe they are a great way to not only keep my constituents informed on the issues going on in the state and District 15, but also a way for constituents to ensure that I am best representing you in Montgomery. I like these meetings to be more of an informal conversation rather than a formal meeting so we can really discuss how we can improve our communities and state together.

As I schedule additional town hall meetings throughout Shelby County in the near future, I hope that you and your family will plan to join me.

Slade Blackwell is an Alabama state senator representing Shelby and Jefferson counties.