HEALTH CARE TOWN HALL MEETING WITH JOE COURTNEY, SECOND DISTRICT

[Sharon Rondeau]

August 7, 2009



Congressman Joseph Courtney
215 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Courtney:

I am writing regarding the circumstances of the health care discussion forum last evening at the Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, CT.

I first heard of the meeting on August 4, 2009, through an email from an acquaintance. There was nothing posted on your website about it nor anything in the newspapers. On August 5, someone emailed me to say that it was not confirmed that you would be there and that it might be a town meeting for Woodstock residents only.

On the morning of August 6, I called your Enfield office to inquire as to whether or not you would be attending a health care meeting in Woodstock that evening, and your aide said that he “didn’t know; it was up to the Woodstock Democratic Town Committee.” That sounded odd. When I asked him if he had their phone number, he said he didn’t, and that was the end of the conversation. There was a similar experience with your Washington, DC office, which said they knew nothing of your plans for that evening. Why?

I then contacted the Town of Woodstock First Selectman’s office, who told me that there definitely was a health care forum scheduled for that evening at the Woodstock Academy with you in attendance. They confirmed that it had been publicized with brochures created by the Democrat Town Committee describing the event as “open to the public.” When I told the First Selectman’s office that your office couldn’t confirm whether or not you would be there, they gave me the number of the Democrat Town Committee Chairman, Mr. Jim Keading.

I called Mr. Keading and spoke with his wife, as he was not at home. Instead of answering my question straightforwardly, Mrs. Keading became unexpectedly rude, demanding to know if I was “from the tea party.” When I told her I had no idea what she meant, she snarled, “What do you mean?” I had simply been asking for information, and her behavior was completely uncalled-for. When I told her that I was a constituent, she accused me of being “disrespectful” when I had been nothing of the kind. It was clear that Mrs. Keading did not consider the meeting “open to the public,” stating, “This meeting is for listening, not showing disrespect.”

She abruptly changed her tune when I told her that I had called your Enfield office and your aide could not confirm that you would be attending. Suddenly she became very worried that “all the people coming” would be very disappointed. I provided her your Enfield office’s number and suggested that she call herself to find out what had happened.

Further adding to the confusion, it was announced later that morning on a local radio station that the meeting was to be held at the Woodstock Elementary School.

When I arrived at Woodstock Academy that evening, I found a dangerously hot, unventilated room filled to overcapacity. Although I do not have a medical problem, I had to leave after an hour due to the intense heat. Frankly, I am surprised the town fire marshal did not arrive and order the meeting closed. I had wanted to bring the rest of my family in, but my epileptic son would never have been able to tolerate the heat, so he and my husband had to sit outside in the car until the meeting concluded.

The speakers who ate up literally half of the 90 minutes allotted for the meeting all expressed the same viewpoint and consumed valuable time in which there could have been more questions and answers. The woman who went up to the podium childishly asking “Does anyone here know me?” was unable to make her point in 20 minutes, rambling on and on about her family farm. Why was someone who spoke completely about herself addressing a health care forum where many ideas should have been shared?

It was obvious that the meeting had been planned for quite a while but not publicized adequately. Why would you not have wanted as many of your constituents to attend as possible?

I did not speak at the meeting. I was respectful as always, met some former acquaintances, and made some new friends. I have no idea why Mrs. Keading verbally attacked me over the phone the way she did, and her behavior was inexcusable. I found many of the Woodstock Democrat Committee members disrespectful as they grunted, groaned and grimaced while someone with an opposing viewpoint was asking a question. They also behaved like elementary school hall monitors, physically approaching anyone who voiced opposition to a comment being made in what I interpreted as an attempt at intimidation.

I would appreciate a formal, written response from you regarding the organization and publicizing of this event. I would think someone with your experience in the political arena could have chosen a more suitable location, arranged for adequate ventilation or air conditioning, and advertised the event so that it truly was representative of our constitutional republic.

Sincerely,



Sharon Rondeau

cc: The Hartford Courant
Town of Woodstock First Selectman’s Office