Having looking at a nationwide listing of House members holding Town Hall meetings in their respective Districts I must sadly report that every one of Orange County’s six members are “missing in action, MIA.”
These five Republicans and one Democrat have a responsibility to appear before us and attempt to answer our questions or take back our concerns to their peers on this very contentious health care plan. While the Republicans may all oppose the proposed legislation, they should still face their constituents and hear their concerns.
Who are these elected’s anyway? We are represented in Congress in the 40th, 42nd, 44th, 46th, 47th and 48th Districts of CA. The respective Rep’s are Ed Royce, Jr., Gary Miller, Ken Calvert, Dana Rohrabacher, Loretta Sanchez and John Campbell. I am also disappointed that neither of our two US Senators are engaging in a similar Town Hall even though the bill being widely discussed is the House version. They still represent around 37 million Californians, the largest state in the Union.
Following is the statewide list where Juice readers may try to attend these “out of county” events where Rep. Fortney Stark (Dem), Dan Lungren (Rep) and Susan Davis (Dem) are each appearing to face their constituents.
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Fremont Senior Center
Fremont, CA 94538
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Start Time: 9:00 AM End Time:
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Alameda City Hall
Alameda, CA 94501
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Start Time: 12:00 PM End Time:
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
San Leandro City Hall
San Leandro, CA 94577
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM End Time:
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Health Care Town Hall
Citrus Heights City Hall
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 8:30 PM
In attendance, Rep. Dan Lungren H (REP) District 3
Health Care Town Hall
Jackson City Hall
Jackson, CA 95642
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Start Time: 10:00 AM End Time: 12:00 PM
In attendance, Rep. Dan Lungren H (REP) District 3
Health Care Town Hall
Rancho Cordova City Hall
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 8:30 PM
In attendance, Rep. Dan Lungren H (REP) District 3
Health Care Neighborhood Day
Spring Valley Library
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Start Time: 1:00 PM End Time: 2:00 PM
In attendance, Rep. Susan Davis H (DEM) District 53
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Hayward City Hall
Hayward, CA 94541
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM End Time: 11:30 AM
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Alameda City Hall
Alameda, CA 94501
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Start Time: 12:00 PM End Time: 1:00 PM
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Ruggieri Senior Center
Union City, CA 94587
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Start Time: 9:00 AM End Time: 10:00 AM
In attendance, Rep. Fortney Stark H (DEM) District 13
Readers. I just received the following email response. If correct I owe Loretta S. an apology.
“I called Sanchez’ office about a week ago and was told she’d already had it. I think Mark McCurdy was there.”
“She’d already had it”? Meaning that she’s already had her Town Hall meeting? I did not hear anything about it. Can you clarify when you get more info? Thanks.
It appears that some of our officials with one exception do not feel the need to talk to the voters on this. Perhaps they feel very safe in thier seat and do not think they need to hear from us.
booper. I will try to get the straight scoop on any County Town Halls and respond.
Jim. Tough call. Which topic is more vital. Cap & tax or Universal Health Care?
We send these elected officials to DC to represent our interests. That being the case one would expect that they come home during the summer recess to meet with us and get our inputs, regardless of party affiliation. If you oppose the bill(s) than why not tell us your logic?
Folks. That’s the problem with gerrymandered districts. Once you win the primary you are safe.
Sanchez held two town hall meetings on health care reform in late July. It was advertised through email, newsletters, her website, etc. They were pretty well attended too, but I guess the nutty-mccrazies didn’t get the memo in time…
Lighten up, Larry. Those Town Hall meetings are a circus. What can you say at a “Town Hall” that you can’t put in an email? Town Halls made sense when you could put most of the electorate in a hall, and there were no other more efficient means of communication. Now we have the internet and emails and “Town Halls” are silly and staged.
If you want a Town Hall, come to the Orange Juice blog. Join the 21st Century.
Email response:
Larry,
XXXXXXX and I went to a Town Hall Meeting in Placentia this past Saturday held by Congressman Ed Royce. It was scheduled to last for an hour, but went over by a half hour and Mr. Royce remained afterwards to answer any other questions. He handled the meeting very well. There were no bussed in groups, but many very concerned elderly and middle aged constituents attended. His answers were basically short and sweet so the attendees would have enough time to ask questions. He randomly called on people from all sides of the room and also acknowledged those in the hallway who could not get into the room as it was SRO.
I applaud Mr. Royce for holding this meeting, answering all the questions, and making himself available in the future for further questions and concerns. He was a real gentleman and was there with a servant’s attitude.
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
Too bad.
Based on the comments to this post perhaps the source I used missed some of the earlier events. That does not let me off the hook for acknowledging and crediting House Members who did devote time facing the public on this issue.
Ron St John
Having attended an event with Arnold in Placentia, where he fielded soft balls from the supportive Republican audience, I do agree with the value of these “show time” activities.
The Internet is great for thosae who use it and know where to find writers with opposing positions but you might miss out on the group which will feel the impact of CHANGE when it comes to health care. The elderly, many of whom do not use this communication “tool.”
Yes and thank you! The OJ surely provides a Town Hall on the issues.
Does anyone else get the feeling the letter about Royce is likely a party member. The simple answer to our disgust seems very simple. From this election forward DO NOT form any poltician that has disappointed you in the past. If you vote like you are lazy and dumb(which as some who has worked with politician they basically think we are)you will get what we have been. Especially the fine folk we have let run California for the last decade.
Just went to Rep Gary Miller’s townhall meeting in Yorba Linda – August 25th 7pm (Nixon Library). He and two doctors talked an hour with a bullet list of the healthcare plan, then fielded approx. 40 questions and comments from the audience through a lottery system. Mostly supportive of opposition of the plan, there was a smaller mix of those in favor of the plan.
Are there any Town Hall meetings scheduled in October, November and December in Orange County?
Thank you,
Karen Buckner