County Executive Robert P. Astorino opened the phone lines April 12, answering questions from residents on a myriad of issues in a live "tele-town hall" called Ask Astorino.   

The event drew 25,000 listeners over the course of the hour. Participants had the choice to join the program by phone or via the county's Web site.

Astorino took 14 phone calls on issues such as taxes, government consolidation, Indian Point, pot holes, the transferring of county's mental health clinics, economic development and Playland.

If you missed the program, a replay is available.

"This is just yet another way for me to hear directly from our residents on what their concerns are," said Astorino. "Two-way conversations are critical to making government more responsive."

This was Astorino's second tele-town hall. He reminded residents that they can always email him via a Web form or at ; or call him at 995-2900.

"Someone will get back to you," he said. "I take pride in that fact."