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Attending legislative town hall meetings over the past 25 years has given insight and opportunity to connect with Iowa’s senators and congressional representatives. The town halls generated lively conversations, shared opinions and provided elected leaders with information about constituents’ lives, experiences and needs. Leaders and attendees asked questions, gave answers and legitimately communicated. It allowed for personal engagement with one another.
Multiple public town halls were held annually by Congressman David Young, Congresswoman Cindy Axne, Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley. I traveled to many of them.
Something has changed. Senators Grassley and Ernst no longer have advertised public town halls in the area. Facebook posts indicate meetings with small invited groups were held in area counties, but none open to all constituents.
Congressman Zach Nunn has not held a public town hall meeting in Iowa Senate District 9 since elected in 2022. Requests have been made through his regional offices. Constituents want to meet with the congressman. The requests have not been honored.
Rep. Nunn’s Facebook posts and radio coverage indicate appearances in the area with small select groups. He’s been here, but I’m not sure that many residents would recognize him if they met him on the street.
I admit that I didn’t vote for Representative Nunn or either of the sitting Senators. However, Mr. Grasmick, my high school government teacher taught us that all elected officials serving at any level of government were elected to represent the interests of all constituents, not just those of their own political party. Did I miss something? Did Constitutional obligations change? When did that pass?
Since Rep. Nunn hasn’t scheduled a constituent meeting in this area, a group of Southwest Iowa residents from multiple counties decided to request and schedule a meeting during the Congressional recess, March 15-23. His Washington, D.C. office has received both verbal and written invitations to a town hall meeting.
The meeting will be in Creston, at the Restored Depot, 116 Adams St., Saturday, March 22 from 10-11 a.m. As of this writing, the congressman’s invitation has neither been accepted or declined.
Unfortunately, it’s public knowledge that the Republican Party has advised elected Congressional Republican leaders against holding town hall meetings. Maybe we’re being “ghosted.”
Citizens are invited to bring brief comments or questions to the town hall that you would like to share with Representative Nunn. It would be best if you bring a single sheet of paper containing comments, name, address and email verifying that you are his constituent. Attendees will be invited to share their statement with those in attendance and maybe Congressman Nunn.
If Rep. Nunn is not in attendance, the comments will be collected and sent to his office with a cover letter.
The point is not to cause a scene; the point is to be heard. The chaos existing in the past months is not sustainable or healthy for the country or Iowans. Calls and emails have been made to our elected representatives. Responses have been a form letter that disconnected from the communication made or no response received.
Are we frustrated from lack of a willingness to listen or communications from an elected leader? Yes. Action was needed.
If an elected leader fails to meet with the constituents, then the constituents will help it happen. You’re invited to attend on Saturday in Creston. We hope Rep. Nunn can find time to listen to people he represents. We’ll see!
Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that can.” We need to be part of the change!