Councilman Price Answers Residents’ Concerns in Precinct Meeting
Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – With a warm welcome and an open conversation, newly elected Councilman Christopher Price met with residents of Precinct Two at a community roundtable event held Tuesday, July 1 at Bethel Baptist Church, part of the City of Crockett’s ongoing effort to connect officials directly with the people they serve.
The gathering, attended by city staff including police, fire, street and water personnel, and other city officials, was the latest in a series of meet-and-greet forums designed to promote transparency, build relationships, and address local concerns. Though turnout has varied from precinct to precinct, the city has called the events a success — and residents at the Precinct Two meeting came with thoughtful questions and high hopes.
For Price, who defeated incumbent Darrell Jones in a spring election, the event was both a milestone and a chance to affirm the promises that helped him win.
“It’s more or less keeping that promise I first made — about restoring trust and educating,” Price said in an interview after the meeting. “To restore trust, we need a clear and concise line of communication. As long as I can rely on my city officials to relate information to me, I can break that down for the public — to keep them informed and up-to-date on what’s going on.”
Price, who describes himself as a man raised to serve with heart, said stepping into public office has felt natural.
“My grandparents raised me to have a big heart,” he said. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve always felt like, ‘If not me, who?’ And this is just a bigger way of doing that — a bigger way of bringing attention to what’s needed.”
Despite some nerves going into the event, Price said the meeting quickly felt like a conversation among friends.
“As soon as we got going, those nerves kind of wore off,” he said. “It felt like I was among just family and friends.”
The meeting covered a wide range of issues — from potholes and street repairs to questions for the fire department and public sanitation services. Price took it all in, seeing it not as a burden but as a learning opportunity.
“I took all of it into consideration,” he said. “There were questions about trash pickup that I didn’t fully know, and I’m glad I found that out — so I can take it back to the constituents.”
Since taking office, Price said the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’m still getting congratulations to this day,” he said, chuckling. “Even my family and friends call me ‘Councilman Price.’ It’s funny, but it’s also a reminder you’ve accomplished something.”
That accomplishment came after a contested election, which saw former Councilman Darrell Jones unseated, facing charges related to his time in office.
Price was grateful for the trust placed in him by his neighbors, and grateful for those who came out to have their voices heard.
“I wanted to make sure I was on record thanking the residents,” he said. “Thank you to them for trusting me to be their eyes, their ears, their voice.”
As for his vision, Price is determined to stay true to his campaign values: restoring trust and keeping people informed.
“If it takes me coming to your home or you coming to mine, we’ll have a powwow and figure out what the concerns are,” he said. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
