San Benito County is the first stop for Seventeenth District
Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) as he holds his annual town hall
meetings throughout the Central Coast.
Hollister – San Benito County is the first stop for Seventeenth District Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) as he holds his annual town hall meetings throughout the Central Coast.
Farr’s meetings give local residents a chance to get up close and personal with the area’s congressional representative. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for Farr to educate the community about federal action – or inaction – on such topics as Social Security, Medicare and the war in Iraq, according to Jessica Schafer, Farr’s aide.
Schafer said while the meeting’s focus it to give Farr an opportunity to find out what people in Hollister are concerned about, he’ll also talk in length about recent Congressional legislation passed concerning energy issues as well as transportation.
San Benito County recently received $2.8 million dollars from the federal government for road improvements on Highway 25.
“Sam always comes away feeling like he has a better sense of what his constituents need,” Schafer said. “It’s a good thing for him to go back to the fall legislative session with.”
Farr himself was unavailable for comment Friday.
About 50 people attended the town hall meeting in San Benito County last year, where Farr heard from residents on a wide range of subjects.
Many took the time in an attempt to truly affect change, Schafer said. Farr is well aware of their interest, she added, and uses their input throughout the year to form educated opinions on legislation.
All questions and comments made during the meetings are recorded, and Farr and his staff refer to them periodically when issues arise in Congress that can affect residents of San Benito County, Schafer said.
“He tries to make sure he reflects what the people in Hollister want,” she said. “On the national scene Hollister is small, but they’re in Sam’s district and he views them as being just as important as every other part.”
Farr will be at the board of supervisors chambers, located at 481 Fourth Street in Hollister, Monday from 6:30 to 8pm.
“Open discussion is the basis for our democracy,” Farr said in a press release. “I welcome these town hall meetings as a valuable opportunity for me to hear directly from my constituents.”
Farr will also hold meetings in Chular, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Salinas throughout the week.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
