Roger Williams A No-Show At 'Town Hall' For His Constituents

EAST AUSTIN, TX — Days before the staging of a town hall on Saturday, the office of U.S. Congressman Roger Williams, whose district encompasses much of East Austin, promised a robust forum with suggestions of a healthy exchange of ideas. One envisioned Williams at the forefront, taking questions from his constituents.

An organizer of the event suggested the gathering would be a measured discussion, including a tacit critique of other such gatherings where voters air their frustrations with unfettered expression.

"This event if meant to be civil and educational, not like the much-publicized 'mock' town halls that are being staged for GOP reps around the country," the organizer wrote Patch in an email about the version of the Republican Williams' meeting with residents. The reference was to other town halls where frustrated citizens have stridently expressed their opposition to GOP-led efforts to gut the American Healthcare Act as crafted under the leadership of President Barack Obama.

The town hall was different all right: Williams was a no show to his own forum. His absence was consistent with the the mass no-shows by Republican lawmakers in staging town halls with constituents. Williams' fellow GOP congressional members Mike McCaul, Bill Flores, Lamar Smith and John Carter also haven't staged town halls. Republican senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn also haven't announced upcoming town halls. Conversely, lone Austin Democrat Rep. Lloyd Doggett has staged various public events centered on health care.

Political pundits point to the vociferous nature of town halls by angry and frustrated constituents to explain the aversion lawmakers have in staging them.

In any event, an advisory put a positive spin on the Williams-less town hallish gathering; "We have rented a chapel at Huston-Tillotson University, and have arranged for a panel of policy experts from organizations including the NAACP, Center for Public Policy Priorities, Children's Defense Fund, and the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans to speak to the crowd on issues if Rep. Williams fails to attend."

In the end, however, it wasn't a matter of if Williams failed to attend, but when. And another recess has come and gone without town halls organized by members of Congress.

The town-hall-like gathering took place on Saturday from 11:45 to 2 p.m. at the King-Seabrook Chapel, 900 Chicon St., on the ground of Huston-Tillotson University.

>>> Official photo of Rep. Roger Williams via Texas House of Representatives