Representative Barr Should Hold A Town Hall

(Photo: Senator Matt Klein at one of several town halls. Via Facebook.)

As the end of the legislative session nears my Representative, Regina Barr, has yet to hold a town hall meeting. Amid big cuts to the renter's tax credit, bus services, and our schools, there are many things folks like myself would like to talk about.

She held a constituent meeting (not a town hall) at a coffee shop in February, but it was at 7:30 A.M. on a weekday, making it hard for many people to attend.

Town hall meetings are a staple of representative democracy. They give citizens the opportunity to access politicians in their own neighborhoods without the carefully crafted responses of emails, selective participation of phone call “town halls,” or rushed meetings at the Capitol. It would be a shame if Representative Barr does not hold one.

On the other hand, I want to thank my Senator, Matt Klein, who has already hosted several town halls including one at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove. He managed to schedule these both as a busy freshman legislator and while working nights at an emergency room.

At his town hall, people with various political beliefs were able to not only share their concerns directly with their legislator, but the town hall fostered a community dialogue that breaks down partisan differences.

I hope my neighbors and community can join me in pushing for town halls from our Representative and more transparency from our government. After all, politicians are elected to serve all of us.

Colleen Nocerini,

Inver Grove Heights