Lake Zurich mayor wants to connect over coffee

Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton plans to host informal monthly coffee sessions in an effort to connect with residents and business owners in an informal setting.

Poynton will become the latest Lake County mayor to host a chat session over hot java when he starts his "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions this month at the Koffee Kup restaurant on Main Street in the downtown area. Gurnee's Kristina Kovarik, Grayslake's Rhett Taylor and Mundelein's Steve Lentz have similar programs in their villages.

As he announced his initiative at this week's village board session, Poynton said the coffee sessions will be an opportunity to meet with residents and business owners who have question and comments about issues.

"We're going to try this," Poynton said. "When I was elected in 2013, one of my main initiatives was to increase transparency, communication and engagement with the Lake Zurich community."

Poynton said he expects to be accompanied by Lake Zurich Assistant to the Village Manager Kyle Kordell at the inaugural gathering set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. He said the coffee events will occur on the third Wednesday of each month and include a village employee and any interested trustees available to attend.

"It is important for us to understand what is important to you, our Lake Zurich friends and neighbors," Poynton said in making the announcement.

In Gurnee, Kovarik began her almost-monthly coffee program in 2007 as a way to meet residents and others away from village hall. She called it one of her smartest moves as mayor because it energizes her and provides her with ideas to pursue.

"I really like the diversity of people I meet," she said Wednesday.

Kovarik was at coffee shops and restaurants in Gurnee for the eight years, but started venturing to other locations in 2015, such as Ooh La La Boutique & Spa. Citing better foot traffic, she decided this year to keep the gatherings at coffee places and restaurants.