Over the past several years, Stanislaus County District 2 Supervisor Vito Chiesa has received near unanimous praise for organizing Turlock Government Night sessions.

Chiesa frequently brings together state and federal elected officials so they can report to their constituents and answer their questions directly.

Now, Chiesa is taking it a step further.

“People have asked why don’t I include local officials, and why is it always state and federal officials,” said Chiesa. “So, we’re doing the locals.”

The local government session will be held Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Turlock Public Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave.

Slated to appear are Turlock City Councilmember Rebecka Monez (District 2), Turlock Irrigation District board member Michael Frantz (Division 1), and Turlock Unified School District Board president Anthony Silva (Area 7).

“I am very much looking forward to taking part in this event,” said Monez, who is facing a re-election challenge this fall from retired businessman Milt Trieweiler. “It’s great that each elected official gets five minutes to update constituents about what’s going on their individual communities in an informal forum. And not only do I think it’s important, but I absolutely love it.”

Chiesa hopes it will be as popular as the sessions for assemblymembers, state senators and members of congress.

“I always tell people that they can find me, and other local elected officials, any day, anywhere,” said Chiesa. “They can go to the meetings and run into us, and talk to us face to face. But it’s tough to get a congressman or an assemblymember or a senator, on the phone. It’s tough to get them to return your calls,  and that’s why I bring them in. But people have talked to me about doing a session for the locals, and this is my attempt at it.”