A session where citizens can speak directly to their legislators is set for Saturday in Rhinelander.
The Northwoods Friends For Civic Participation and the group Voters Engaged have invited state and federal elected officials to listen to citizens concerns.
Coordinator Jane Banning says the session is not a town hall meeting but a listening session...
'...This is a concept through a group called Voters Engaged which is a statewide group that is aiming to bring non-partisan groups together to encourage self-governance at home. The listening session means our elected officials listen...and we speak. It's not about them campaigning. It's about voters expressing concerns..."
Banning says a the end of the citizen presentations, the legislators will speak. State Senator Tom Tiffany and state Representatives Rob Swearingen and Mary Felzkowski have all confirmed their attendance. Wisconsin U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson will have staff representatives there in their place.
U.S. Representative Sean Duffy was unable to attend nor could his staff attend.
Banning says the citizens will have a time limit...
"...We're going to divide the time among the people who are present. We're not going to allow people to hold the floor to dominate. We're going to be very equal handed about how many people get to speak. That each person who wants to speak get a chance to do so. In order to do that, we're going to have two moderators present who represent different political ideologies, but who are committed to making this whole experience respectful for everybody..."
The listening session is set for Saturday, April 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Oneida County Senior Center adjacent to Trig's in Rhinelander.
More information is at votersengaged.com
