Local News

Seventh District legislators invite constituents to telephone town hall

By NCBI
Jan 25, 2013

Recently-appointed state Senator John Smith, R-Colville, will join his 7th Legislative District seatmates, Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short, in hosting a telephone town hall on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Residents wishing to participate in the hour-long "community conversation" should call toll-free 1-877-229-8493, then enter pin 15429.

"These telephone town halls are a great way to touch base with a lot of people in a way that's convenient for them," said Kretz, R-Wauconda. "Our district covers a lot of ground and is about as far away from Olympia as you can get and still be in Washington - so we know it's tough for folks to make the trip over to the state capital. This forum gives the people we represent an opportunity to have their voices heard in a very timely and relevant fashion."

Short, a Republican legislator from Addy, said she continually hears positive feedback about previous telephone town halls from 7th District residents when she travels around the district.

"I don't know how many times folks have stopped us to say how much they appreciate being able to listen in and participate in these telephone town halls," said Short. "They get to learn about what's happening in Olympia during the legislative session and give their opinions and ideas about what's working and what's not working in state government. And they get to do it from the comfort of their own homes without having to take time off of work and drive over the mountain passes. It's been a very positive thing all around."

Smith, who was appointed to the state Senate in January after the retirement of longtime Senator Bob Morton, said he is looking forward to hearing from the people he represents.

"Ultimately, we serve the people and we answer to them," said Smith. "That's why we're here: to represent them and their interests in Olympia. If we're going to represent the people of the 7th Legislative District to the best of our abilities, we need to hear from them. We need to know how they feel about issues like education, the state budget, taxes, transportation and health care - and what their ideas are for solving some of the problems we're having in state government."

The 2013 regular session began on Jan. 14 and is scheduled for 105 days.


Top of page
-------------------
© 2024 Okanogan Country Radio. All rights reserved.