STATEN ISLAND — Borough President James Oddo won't give a State of the Borough address this year, and will instead host an open house for residents to bring their concerns to him.
It's the third year that Oddo has opted not to give the address.
The "Direct Connect Sunday" will be held on Jan. 29 at Mount Loretto.
"This is an opportunity, in a very relaxed atmosphere, to find out the specific things we are doing in Borough Hall," said Oddo in an announcement of the event posted on Facebook.
"You can speak directly to me, my staff, agencies if you have questions and concerns."
Oddo hosted the previous two events at Borough Hall, but opted to move it to Mount Loretto this year to have more space for representatives of city agencies.
"This year we are hoping to take it to a different level," said Oddo.
"To give Staten Islanders a chance, if you will, to have one stop shopping to meet as many different parts and partners of Borough Hall as possible."
The event will have representatives from agencies including the Department of Transportation, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Health and the Mayor's Office of Domestic Violence.
Local groups like Community Board 1, Staten Island Arts and the Staten Island Museum will also be in attendance, Oddo said.
After he was elected in 2014, Oddo had his first open house at Borough Hall in lieu of a traditional swearing-in ceremony and, because of its popularity, he decided to skip his State of the Borough address in 2015 for his first "Direct Connect Sunday."
"Direct Connect Sunday" will be on Jan. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., at Mount Loretto CYO Center, 6541 Hylan Blvd. Shuttles will be available from Borough Hall, Historic Richmond Town and the Richmond Valley train station.
