HASTINGS, Neb – On Friday morning, residents of Hastings got to meet face-to-face with this year's Mayoral hopefuls at the Hastings Municipal Airport. 

After the March 1 deadline to file to run for Mayor, five people threw their name into the hat. 

They are: Bill Hitesman, former President for the Central Community College Hastings Campus. 

Shawn Hartman, current City Councilman for Ward 4, and President of Hastings HVAC.

Rodney Holling, Owner of Holling Plumbing and Sewer Cleaning LLC.

Jay Beckby, local entrepreneur and owner of several businesses.

And Jacque Cranson, Owner of the Small Town Famous store, who wasn't able to make Friday's event due to a scheduling conflict. 

The four candidates in attendance let a decent crowd at the airport know about their main priorities, what they would change if elected, and more.

The Hastings Chamber organized this event where the candidates were able to meet and greet residents over coffee after a town-hall style meeting.

"We wanted an opportunity to bring these mayoral candidates to the community," said Hastings Economic Development Corporation and Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shannon Landauer. "Let the community ask their questions, hear what the candidates are about, and also to have more of a networking opportunity with them."

Going forward, every Friday morning from now until May, the Hastings Chamber will host other candidates running for different local offices, who will have their opportunity to meet the public as well before primary elections on May 14.