OLYMPIA – On the heels of town hall meetings in Clallam and Jefferson Counties, state Representatives Steve Tharinger (D – Dungeness) and Kevin Van De Wege (D – Sequim) are coming to Grays Harbor to meet with constituents.
The two legislators are planning to host a town hall-style meeting on Tuesday, March 29, at Beacon Elementary School in Montesano. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.
Tharinger, who is the district’s newest representative, says most people can’t make the trip to Olympia to meet with their state legislators, so it makes more sense for legislators to go to them.
“Part of being a state representative is being accessible,” Tharinger said. “People need to be able to ask us questions directly, and know that we are listening to them.”
Both Tharinger and Van De Wege represent the 24th Legislative District, which includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties, and parts of Grays Harbor. The 24th District is one of the state’s geographically largest legislative districts.
Van De Wege says the district’s size makes multiple town hall meetings necessary. In previous years, Van De Wege has held town halls throughout the district outside of the legislative session. He has also held several telephone town halls, which allow people throughout the district to participate in a virtual town hall by phone. Although both Tharinger and Van De Wege are considering hosting a telephone town hall as well, Van De Wege says now is the time to speak to people in person.
“A lot of tough decisions are going to be made in order to balance the state budget, and it’s important to find out what people’s priorities are,” Van De Wege said.
Beacon Elementary is located at 1717 East Beacon Avenue in Montesano.