‘Continuing the Conversation’ forum held Saturday in Front Royal

Moderator Moya Gaffney (r) and Barry Gaffney take notes during Saturday’s forum of local citizens who met to discuss issues in the community.

FRONT ROYAL – Nearly two dozen people carved three hours from their sunny, spring Saturday to gather at Open House, the Main Street meeting place provided to non-profits by local realtor Beth Waller to discuss issues of importance. Coordinator Kat Wallace said the meeting was a time for ‘Continuing the Conversation.’

Ms. Wallace, the Program Coordinator for the non-partisan group, said the group is a way for those concerned about community issues to come together, listen to each other, discuss challenges and possible solutions and to develop and implement solutions. 

On Saturday, topics brought up and discussed included:  Literacy, human trafficking, drug epidemic/prevention, homelessness, lack of youth activities, community development, acceptance/tolerance of LGBTQ population, and development of the arts.

The group has a steering committee, consisting of Ms. Wallace, Jarred Hill, Moya Gaffney, Barry Gaffney, Meredith Parnes and Linda Allen, all of whom live in Front Royal or Warren County. Wallace says they try to meet once a week to make sure the group is reaching out to existing programs as well as organizing details for the next forum. 

Continuing the Conversation Saturday meetings are slated for the following Saturdays: June 3^rd, August 5^th, October 7^th and December 2^nd  from 1-4 p.m. at the Open House at Team Waller at 213 E. Main Street in Front Royal. 

Following the input from Saturday’s meeting and discussion, Wallace said the upcoming discussions will involve: drug epidemic/prevention, Arts/Community Programs, Acceptance/Diversity and Homelessness. 

For more information on Continuing the Conversation, contact Kat Wallace, Program Coordinator at kat.convo@gmail.com. You can also join the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ContinuingConvo.