Schoesler appreciative of strong turnout for tele-town hall meeting
Residents of 48 communities in 9th District asked questions or listened by telephone

December 29, 2008

OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler says the strong turnout for the tele-town hall meeting he conducted Dec. 16 suggests the format is convenient and useful for residents of the 9th Legislative District. About 450 people participated in the teleforum, from their homes, for at least half of its one-hour duration. Schoesler took questions or comments from two dozen people during the forum and more than 100 participants afterward. 

“We had a very constructive discussion about a broad range of topics: some that you might expect, like property taxes and the state’s overspending problem and education funding, but also things like wind power and employment opportunities for young people,” Schoesler said. “It’s just the sort of input I was hoping to receive going into the 2009 legislative session. 

“I greatly appreciate that close to 1,300 people in our district gave up at least a few minutes of their evening to listen to what we were doing – and that nearly one-third of them chose to join in for more than half of the time available. The response I’ve had from people in the couple of weeks since has been very positive.” 

Schoesler said proof of the format’s success also is shown by the fact that participants were from among 48 communities across the district he represents: Albion, Anatone, Asotin, Basin City, Benge, Cheney, Clarkston, Colfax,  Colton, Connell, Diamond, Eltopia, Endicott, Fairfield, Farmington, Garfield, Greenacres, Hatton, Hooper, Kahlotus, La Crosse, Lamont, Latah, Lind, Malden, Medical Lake, Mesa, Mica, Oakesdale, Odessa, Othello, Palouse, rural Pasco, Pomeroy, Ritzville, Rockford, Rosalia, Saint John, Spangle, Spokane, Sprague, Steptoe, Tekoa, Thornton, Uniontown, Valleyford, Washtucna and Waverly. 

“There’s nothing like seeing my constituents face to face. However, a traditional town hall meeting in a single location simply will not draw people from all six counties comprising the Ninth District – it’s too far to travel, especially at this time of year,” Schoesler explained. “The teleforum is like a radio call-in program that spans our entire legislative district. It allows me to connect with thousands of people in dozens of our communities in a way that is convenient for them.” 

The Dec. 16 teleforum included “instant polls” which showed a majority of those responding would prefer the state solve its budget problem by reducing spending; leave transportation projects and funding alone rather than collect tolls or increase the state gas tax; and not use taxpayer dollars to fund improvements to either Key Arena or Husky Stadium in Seattle.  

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Additional contact: Eric Campbell
at (360) 786-7503 or campbell.eric@leg.wa.gov