EAGLE POINT, Ore. -- Friday, Congressman Greg Walden held two town halls in southern Oregon, one in Grants Pass and the other in Eagle Point.
Since 2012 The Congressman’s team said he’s held more than 170 town halls across the district he represents, District 2. Anne Zauner went to the Eagle Point town hall. She's a huge supporter of Congressman Walden and his work. She went to learn more about what's happening in Washington--particularly about President Trump's border wall.
"I'm always interested in learning about what's going on and the other side of the story sometimes because I learn every day and study,” Zauner added. “It's an exciting period in our history."
Ashland woman Jeanne Chouard also went to the Eagle Point town hall. She doesn't agree with many of Congressman Walden’s policies but she's glad he's done more town halls recently.
"I'm really happy that he's back and taking questions from the audience again,” said Chouard. “I hope that he continues to regularly come down and hear us because a lot of folks in the Valley have some real issues with his policies."
Among other things, Congressman Walden talked about his work with veterans, what he’s done to combat the opioid crisis and pharmaceutical companies, how he’s helping to change forest management policies to reduce wildfire risk. Some say he can do more when it comes to climate change.
"I appreciate Mr. Walden's work in trying to have our forests managed better but it's a much bigger issue than that. We have to get our economy off the fossil fuel addiction that we have," Chouard said.
Zauner, on the other hand, doesn’t believe humans contribute to climate change all that much. She said that issue isn’t on her priority list. Instead, she’s worried about big government.
"The alternatives are just way too expensive and we should research and continue for improvements on ways for better fuels," Zauner added.
Congressman Walden said he would not support a cap-and-trade bill nor the Green New Deal.
If you missed any of Friday’s town halls. Congressman Walden is holding 11 more throughout the state over the next week. His next stop is Umatilla County on Sunday.
