Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson, a retired Army veteran, is reaching out to the residents in new ways to deliver up-to-date news and upcoming events and to highlight city employees’ work and accomplishments.
Wilson, who was elected April 2019 to the city council, recently started a podcast “Waynesville Weekly Updates,” where he discusses community happenings and talks with featured guests.
And, starting this month, Wilson will write a column for the Pulaski County Weekly to be published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The first is set to be published Sept. 18, two days prior to the regular council meeting in Waynesville.
“I’m often asked, ‘what is the most challenging part of my job as mayor?’ My response is communication, or getting important information to our citizens,” Wilson said. “Not too long ago, primary sources for information were the television, radio or the newspaper. As our society evolves, many of our citizens have chosen many other sources to stay connected in acquiring the information they need. That said, as a public official, there is not one place we can speak to our constituency to meet that need, it has turned into a battle on many fronts.
“We at the city have challenged ourselves to connect with our community in as many ways as possible,” he continued. “The addition of the city podcast is one of eight new ways the city is providing information for our citizens. Our podcast will also provide the option to download the transcripts of each episode for those who are hearing impaired as well. Every citizen is important, and we have made it our responsibility to reach out in as many ways as we can to make it happen. I do not see this challenge as a roadblock, but an opportunity to expand and explore new avenues of reaching every generation.”
Mayor Wilson began serving with the City of Waynesville as a park board member in June 2016. He served almost two years before being appointed park board president in 2018. He served as president for a year before being elected councilman for Ward III.
Mayor Wilson was selected by the council in 2022 to serve as mayor pro-tem and, in 2023, elected by a majority vote of the council to serve as mayor.
In April 2024, Wilson was elected by the majority of voters to continue to serve as the mayor of Waynesville.
