Mayor's Symposium aims to bring resources together

Plainview mayor to host event to connect service groups and identify community needs

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:26pm

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Plainview Mayor Charles Starnes has announced plans to hold a Mayor's Symposium on April 17 to bring together service clubs, groups, nonprofits and other organizations in the community. The goal is to identify gaps and overlaps in services, create better synergy, and find unmet needs that groups could adopt. Organizations will have the opportunity to give presentations and participate in roundtable discussions.

Why it matters

The symposium comes at a time when Plainview has lost some key service supporters, such as the dissolution of the Plainview Area United Way, which previously provided funding for local nonprofits. The city has also seen cuts to programs like the Retired Senior Volunteer Program due to federal budget reductions. The mayor hopes the event will help strengthen the local network of community organizations.

The details

The Mayor's Symposium will take place at the Plainview Country Club from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 17. Organizations are invited to send two representatives and will be able to set up display tables as well as give 5-minute presentations about their goals and services. Lunch will be provided, and there will be a keynote address by leadership speaker Justin Richardson focused on helping leaders clarify their purpose.

  • The Mayor's Symposium is scheduled for April 17, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The players

Charles Starnes

The mayor of Plainview who is organizing the symposium to bring together local service organizations.

Justin Richardson

An educator, author, and leadership-development speaker who will deliver the keynote address at the symposium.

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What they’re saying

“One of the goals would be to identify the gaps and overlaps of what people do, to perhaps create better synergy, perhaps identify needs that aren't being met that one group, or another could adopt.”

— Charles Starnes, Mayor of Plainview

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This symposium represents an important effort by the Plainview mayor to strengthen the local network of community organizations and identify ways to better coordinate services and address unmet needs in the city, especially in the wake of recent funding cuts to key programs.