Washington Forum to Highlight How Government Really Works

Mount Vernon’s Washington Forum series returns on March 31 with a conversation aimed at pulling back the curtain on how public institutions function day to day. The event, titled “The Room Where It Happens: How Government Really Works from City Hall to Capitol Hill,” begins at 6 p.m. at The Gathering Place on South Edgewood Road.

The panel brings together leaders with decades of experience inside local, state, and federal government. Athens Mayor and former National League of Cities president Steve Patterson, former U.S. Congressman Bob Gibbs, and former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will join Mount Vernon Mayor Matthew T. Starr, who will moderate the discussion.

According to the city’s announcement, the forum will focus on what public officials wish residents understood about their work, from the realities of decision‑making to the challenges of navigating institutions that often operate far beyond the headlines. Panelists will share personal stories from their time in office and talk through opportunities to strengthen public trust and improve how government serves communities. A public Q&A will follow the discussion.

The Washington Forum is a yearlong partnership between the City of Mount Vernon and Kenyon College’s Center for the Study of American Democracy. The series is part of the city’s America 250 programming and is designed to support informed civic dialogue. The March 31 event is free and open to the public.