The first Coffee & Conversation interactive session with the Mayor of the City of Orange, Dwyane D. Warren has taken place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Dominion Cathedral, Orange, New Jersey, United States.

The program, which had many community leaders in attendance, was organised by Council Member-at-Large, Honorable Adrienne Wooten. The Senior Pastor of the Regional Headquarters Church, Pastor (Dr.) Toyin Laoye, was on hand to welcome the Mayor, members of the community and other special guests that included Council Member Quantavia L. Hilbert (West Ward), Police and Fire Chiefs and other top officials of the City.

In her address, Pastor Laoye, Pastor-in-Charge of Region, RCCG Dominion Cathedral, noted that since the Church bought and moved into the property, 180 Main Street, Orange, in 2005, the City has welcomed the Church very warmly and, in turn, God has turned around the property, which used to be a bar to a place of succour for many members of the Community.

She noted that among other ways through which the Church has been impacting the community positively is the food bank services it renders which has been in operation in the last two years and through which food is distributed to no less than 200 members of the community at least twice a month.

She also said that the Church continues to pray for the City to be the best in New Jersey, and assured the City officials as well as members of the Community that the Church’s doors will always be open to all for prayers, counselling and any other beneficial services.

Mayor Warren commended the Church for its commitment to community services, stressing that it preaches the gospel and serves the community.

He took time to update his audience on the efforts being made by his administration to enhance the viability of different parts the City, especially through the creation of Urban Enterprises Zones.

He also answered several questions on what the Township has done so far and its plans for the future. He touched on the issues of property tax, new developments, urban renewal projects, flood zones, emergency medical response, especially in schools, on how to make the City safer for all, on how to ensure the best care for the elderly, how to help homeowners avoid foreclosures, as well as on issues with utility companies, environmental issues and how the City is using the Private Public Partnership option to good advantage.

Mayor Warren also gave notice of upcoming enlightenment programs aimed at equipping members of the community to handle matters that affect their wellbeing, especially in the areas of foreclosures, other legal issues, the emergency response plan and business networking.

The Coffee & Conversation program, which is now billed to take place once every month at the RCCG Dominion Cathedral proved to be a unique opportunity for members of the Community to ask questions, make comments and generally interact one-on-one with the Mayor and other officials of the City of Orange.

All who attended the program left satisfied and happy with their down-to-earth Mayor who took time to address all the issues brought to his attention and who, after the formal end of the program stayed behind to further interact with community members, especially the Seniors.