Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Start using the Twitter hash-tag #AskMayorB to Tweet your questions to Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, because on Wednesday night at 6 the Mayor will host Columbia's first virtual town hall.

Mayor Benjamin believes this is taking an exciting step in making city government more open and accessible to everyone who lives here.

The event is being conducted in partnership with IT-oLogy, and starts Wednesday, Oct. 17th, at 6pm. 

Along with using the Twitter hash-tag #AskMayorB, residents are invited to post their questions on Facebook.com/SteveBenjaminSC, and then view the live session on the city's website, ColumbiaSC.net/AskMayorB.

"Whether you're a college student, a neighborhood leader, a senior citizen or anyone in between, we want to hear from you," Mayor Benjamin said. "Don't miss this unique opportunity to have your questions heard and answered." 

The event will stream live online through the city's website, and the mayor's Facebook page, through a video player. Users can pose their questions in the comment box below the video as it's playing live. 

"This is the people's government," said Mayor Benjamin. "That's why, whether I'm answering questions during our monthly Mondays with the Mayor meeting or just having conversations with constituents walking down the street, I make a point of talking one on one with the people of Columbia as often as possible about the issues that matter to them."

"This exciting initiative gives us a new tool and a new opportunity to engage the community and help bring us together as One GREAT Columbia."