Local constituents of Representative Claudia Tenney are speaking out about the fact that the first-time congresswoman has chosen not to hold in-person town hall style meetings.

Congresswoman Tenney recently told Binghamption's News Channel 34 that she has opted to hold 'telephone town hall meetings' instead of in-person town hall meetings in order to hear feedback from constituents.

“We’re trying to reach the most people we can in the safest and the best way to communicate so that we actually have dialogue and not a shouting match,” she said Thursday. “I want to listen, I want to hear those views, and I want to hear the views from all sides, not just one side shouting over the people who really need our help.”  -Rep. Claudia Tenney

Tenney told the television station that she probably wouldn't do traditional 'in-person' town hall meetings because they would only be disrupted by “paid protesters” or protesters who “have no interest in dialogue.”

According to the Press & Sun-Bulletin, the Democratic Women of Broome County on Friday rejected the idea that constituents are being paid to protest.

“Accusing her constituents of being paid sounds to me like an excuse,” Bridget Kane, the organization’s president said in a statement released . “It seems that Rep. Tenney is afraid to face her constituents and answer their questions.”

For the record, Tenney is currently on a congressional trip to Afghanistan and Iraq and would not have been able to attend Monday's town hall meeting, even if she chose to do so.

So, what do you think?  Should the Congresswoman still hold open 'in-person' town hall meetings to discuss health care and other federal issues, even if opponents and possible protesters are expected to attend?  Please cast your vote below:

See below a flyer that's being distributed at meetings and around the congressional district...

(Townsquare photo of flyer)
(Townsquare photo of flyer)
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