Council members holding holiday-themed Town Hall

A pair of Gastonia leaders are planning a holiday-themed gathering aimed at being both informational and festive.

The Holiday Town Hall event will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Little Theater of Gastonia, at 238 S. Clay St. It will be hosted by City Council members Robert Kellogg and Jennifer Stepp, who represent wards 1 and 5, respectively.

Presentations will be given by city staff members on topics such as economic development, recycling and more. There will also be live holiday music, as well as a visit from Santa Claus.

All who attend are being asked to bring a new pair of socks that can be donated to a local homeless ministry.

Kellogg and Stepp said all members of the general public are welcome, as the point is to share concerns and ideas about how to make Gastonia a better place to live and work.

"We hope many of our friends, neighbors and constituents will come out and join us for a fun and informative event,” the two said in a joint statement. “It is our goal that you will leave with the holiday spirit in your heart, as well as feeling more engaged and empowered as residents of our great city.”