LETTERS: TOWN HALL MEETINGS NEEDED

To the editor:

For 20 years I have felt a candidate's promise or an incumbent's practice of holding town hall meetings was the best measure of being a statesman, not just a politician. Listening to the common folks face-to-face questions on issues and legislation is the most sincere thanks for being paid to be their voice.

Most congressmen of both parties have commendably done so. Republican Jim Talent and Democrat Dick Gephardt have each held many town hall meetings. Good for them. My congressman before I moved to Shannon County, Bill Clay, has never held a town hall meeting in 28 years. Retiring Illinois Sen. Paul Simon has held over 650. Bless his heart.

Now a wide-open heated race is on for the 8th District congressional seat probably to be won by one of two hard-campaigning women, neither of whom has held public office. When the debated Oct. 9 in West Plains, I was equally impressed by them both. In answer to my question, they were in total agreement and very specific. My challenge was to commit to holding a town hall meeting at least monthly somewhere in the 8th District. They both made positive promises to do so, both at the debate and in letters to me.

Mrs. Emerson wrote: "I will hold sit-down sessions with folks throughout our district. ... They will likely take the form of general town hall meetings." Mrs. Firebaugh wrote: "I pledge to make time when home to hold an average of at least 12 town hall meetings a year."

One of these very enthusiastic ladies will almost certainly be our voice of the 8th District in Washington next year. Let the winner on Nov. 5 prove her promise on Oct. 9 by announcing on Jan. 31 the location of the first 8th District town hall meeting in a decade.

DON RIMBACH

Hartshorn, Mo.