Lake Elsinore Mayor Gets Personal With Residents

Lake Elsinore Mayor Amy Bhutta was out in the community Tuesday, pen and pad in hand, listening to residents’ feedback and concerns.

As part of her monthly “Residents 1st” meetings, Bhutta scheduled time at on Riverside Drive, from 3 - 4:30 p.m., to chat with the community.

Surrounded by a handful of supportive Lake Elsinore city officials and business leaders, Bhutta said she makes time for the monthly meet-ups as a way to provide the community with a forum.

“Residents express concerns about their neighborhoods, and they want to share ideas they have,” Bhutta explained. “I do follow up.”

The scene was sedate Tuesday, with a few residents trickling over to A Better Party to bend the mayor's ear. Cookies and refreshments were served, and seated at a nearby plastic table and chairs, just outside the party equipment rentals and supplies store, the mayor held informal one-on-ones with anyone who wanted to chat.

Bhutta said this type of two-way conversation is the only way to affect change in the city.

“We can’t respond if we don’t know,” she said.

Bhutta, who is married and the mother of a 5-year-old son, is also a teacher at Lake Elsinore Unified School District’s A 14-year Lake Elsinore resident who originally hails from Minnesota, Bhutta was appointed to mayor in December. Her term on the City Council expires in 2012, and she is noncommittal about a possible run for re-election.

Although Lake Elsinore is currently confronted with many issues ranging from budget constraints to crime and unemployment, Bhutta is, not surprisingly, optimistic about her city.

Never missing a beat, she said, “It’s a great place to live and work."

For those who missed Bhutta’s Residents 1st on Tuesday, there’s always next month. Check the city calendar for the exact date, time and location.

Can’t wait? Catch the mayor March 17 during a luncheon at co-hosted by the Lake Elsinore Valley Economic Workforce Development Committee and the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Bhutta will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is aimed at providing information to the community about business issues impacting the city and surrounding areas.

The event is scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $15 for Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce members; $20 for non-members.