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Giffords plans town hall meetings
Ted Morris/Wick Communications
SIERRA VISTA - Local people involved with politics welcomed U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' announcement Friday that she will hold a Sierra Vista town hall meeting on health care reform.
The meeting will be one of three in the Democrat's district. The others will be in Green Valley and Tucson.
Republican Edward Hylsky of Sierra Vista was pleased when informed Friday evening of Giffords' announcement.
"I think it's about time," Hylsky said. "I think she's finally come to her senses."
Hylsky protested two weeks ago in front of Giffords' local office. His wife, Vera, has organized local "Tea Party" protests against what many feel is overtaxation.
Hylsky said the Sierra Vista town hall meeting will allow Giffords "to hear our concerns." He said many people also want an explanation from her on where she stands and why.
Bob Bland, chairman of the Cochise County Democratic Committee, said he has been hearing from many constituents who do not want a single-payer health coverage system. He volunteers every Friday at the county Democratic office in Sierra Vista. Friday, the phone was ringing constantly, and many people walked into the office.
"It feels like it's two months before the election and not 14," Bland said. "I am working with them, even though they're very disappointed with what's going forward in Congress."
He added, "That's part of democracy."
"We're stirred up, and the Republicans are stirred up, and the whole country is stirred up," Bland said.
Independent voter Bill Stillmaker of Hereford has protested against Giffords.
Stillmaker plans to attend her town hall meeting at Buena Performing Arts Center on Aug. 31 if she is going to be there in person and won't "hide behind the telephone."
"I firmly believe that health care needs reform," Stillmaker said. "It does not need a complete overhaul."
It doesn't matter what's in the bill or not, he said. "What matters is can we afford it as a nation."
He said the tort reform is needed, and there is also need to insure those who do not have health coverage. But he is adamantly opposed to "re-inventing the wheel."
TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Sierra Vista
6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 31 at Buena High School Performing Arts Center. RSVP: 459-3115 or RSVPGiffords.CochiseCounty@mail.house.gov
Green Valley
9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 1 at West Social Center, 1111 Via Arcoiris.
RSVP: 881-3588 or RSVPGiffords.GreenValley@mail.house.gov
Tucson
6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Saguaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco.
RSVP: 881-3588 or RSVPGiffords@mail.house.gov
SURGE OF INTEREST
According to Giffords' office, since May 26, when Giffords held her first town hall on health insurance reform, the congresswoman's office has received more than 20,000 calls, emails and letters from constituents about health issues. This high level of interest was reflected at the May town hall, which attracted about 1,000 people. Giffords also hosted a July 27 telephone town hall on health insurance reform that had nearly 5,000 participants.
(Ted Morris is city editor at the Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review.)
SIERRA VISTA - Local people involved with politics welcomed U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' announcement Friday that she will hold a Sierra Vista town hall meeting on health care reform.
The meeting will be one of three in the Democrat's district. The others will be in Green Valley and Tucson.
Republican Edward Hylsky of Sierra Vista was pleased when informed Friday evening of Giffords' announcement.
"I think it's about time," Hylsky said. "I think she's finally come to her senses."
Hylsky protested two weeks ago in front of Giffords' local office. His wife, Vera, has organized local "Tea Party" protests against what many feel is overtaxation.
Hylsky said the Sierra Vista town hall meeting will allow Giffords "to hear our concerns." He said many people also want an explanation from her on where she stands and why.
Bob Bland, chairman of the Cochise County Democratic Committee, said he has been hearing from many constituents who do not want a single-payer health coverage system. He volunteers every Friday at the county Democratic office in Sierra Vista. Friday, the phone was ringing constantly, and many people walked into the office.
"It feels like it's two months before the election and not 14," Bland said. "I am working with them, even though they're very disappointed with what's going forward in Congress."
He added, "That's part of democracy."
"We're stirred up, and the Republicans are stirred up, and the whole country is stirred up," Bland said.
Independent voter Bill Stillmaker of Hereford has protested against Giffords.
Stillmaker plans to attend her town hall meeting at Buena Performing Arts Center on Aug. 31 if she is going to be there in person and won't "hide behind the telephone."
"I firmly believe that health care needs reform," Stillmaker said. "It does not need a complete overhaul."
It doesn't matter what's in the bill or not, he said. "What matters is can we afford it as a nation."
He said the tort reform is needed, and there is also need to insure those who do not have health coverage. But he is adamantly opposed to "re-inventing the wheel."
TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Sierra Vista
Green Valley
RSVP: 881-3588 or RSVPGiffords.GreenValley@mail.house.gov
Tucson
RSVP: 881-3588 or RSVPGiffords@mail.house.gov
SURGE OF INTEREST
According to Giffords' office, since May 26, when Giffords held her first town hall on health insurance reform, the congresswoman's office has received more than 20,000 calls, emails and letters from constituents about health issues. This high level of interest was reflected at the May town hall, which attracted about 1,000 people. Giffords also hosted a July 27 telephone town hall on health insurance reform that had nearly 5,000 participants.
(Ted Morris is city editor at the Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review.)
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Wanting to Know wrote on Aug 24, 2009 1:06 PM:
" I understand that they will not give Social Security a cost of living raise the next two years ,They do plan on raising our Medicare Cost.Now Please explain to me ,
#1 How we can afford to bail out the Stock Market and the Banks.
#2 How we can give Bonuses to the Stock Brookers and Bankers.
#3 How we can give Cash for Clunkers.
Even though we cannot keep Social Security going. Ask her for me will you? "
#1 How we can afford to bail out the Stock Market and the Banks.
#2 How we can give Bonuses to the Stock Brookers and Bankers.
#3 How we can give Cash for Clunkers.
Even though we cannot keep Social Security going. Ask her for me will you? "
Gabby the anti-constitutionalist wrote on Aug 23, 2009 3:15 PM: