In an effort to create open dialogue between residents and their elected officials, a committee of local organizers will hold a “People’s Town Hall” on Saturday at The Barn Resort at Gettysburg.
Due to the overwhelming response, the venue was relocated from its original location at Gettysburg College.
The idea emerged about a month ago, according to co-organizer Bettye Baker. “It came to me one day that we need to get people together and talking,” she said.
The organizers spoke at a meeting of Blue Storm Action to discuss the proposal. “We talked with the gathering, and they thought it was a great idea,” Baker said.
A spokesperson for the town hall, Jane Hyde said the event would provide “an opportunity for people in our community to gather and converse with their legislators in a public setting, giving them a chance to share and ask questions about the current situation in our country.”
Baker emphasized that the town hall is designed to be free of partisanship. “We decided immediately it had to be free of political involvement,” she said. “Every person in the room will recognize their voice is valued. We want everybody to be comfortable expressing themselves in a safe place.”
Invitations have been extended to local elected officials from Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District (PA-13), including Congressman John Joyce, and Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick. “We have not heard a definite yes,” said Baker, noting that invitations were sent according to official guidelines, and, in one case, even hand-delivered. “Short of knocking on their door and asking, we’ve done everything we can to follow up.”
Despite uncertainty about which officials will attend, the event has garnered significant community interest. Baker reported that nearly 400 people have registered to attend, and registration is now closed due to capacity limits.
The town hall will be livestreamed through Community Media of Southcentral PA, but viewers will not be able to submit questions online. In-person participants will be invited to come forward and share their stories, with a strict 90-second time limit to ensure everyone has a chance to speak.
Organizers are asking attendees to cooperate with the event’s logistics, including timekeeping and security measures. “We’ll have a check-in process for what can and cannot be brought into the venue.”
A press release with final details is planned for Thursday.
“I’m going to stay hopeful that their bodies will be there,” Baker added, referring to the invited legislators.
I will be SHOCKED if any of those coward politicians actually show up.
Funny, I called Congressman Joyce’s office earlier in the year to suggest this very idea. I hope he and the others take advantage of this opportunity.