Smith, Walden visit Ontario for a town hall meeting
Tuesday, August 14, 2001 10:00 PM PDT
Shannon Filonczuk
A stopover in Ontario by U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden for a town hall meeting brought out a standing-room-only crowd to Four Rivers Cultural Center Monday night. Smith, the first speaker, gave his perspective on recent political events, including the national economic slowdown. According to Smith, the economic slump has returned the nation to reality. The slowdown, Smith said, has made the tax refund checks and the tax cut pledges made and kept by President Bush very important. "You'll spend it better than we will in Washington, D.C.," Smith told the crowd about the tax refund. Walden praised Oregon Dist. 60 Rep. Tom Butler for helping push a bill through the Oregon Legislature negating state tax on refund checks. Walden also said the Bush tax-cut package is very important. After 45 minutes of rhetoric by the two politicians, the floor was turned over to Ontario residents. The residents had plenty to say. "Why isn't the federal government protecting our borders and culture?" one resident asked. Smith said he had never tackled an issue as difficult as illegal immigration. He said he is working on a guest immigration program so people can come to America and legally work. Smith then launched into an explanation of his support of the space-based missile defense system Bush is proposing to protect the country's borders. Walden also voiced his support for the plan. "Technology matters and saves American lives," Walden said. Ontario resident, Norma Simpson, a Democrat, said she believes the space-based missile defense system would not be the best way our nation could spend its defense funding. On the health care front, an Ontario resident asked, "Why do so many not get medical attention when needed?" Walden said Bush is working on further funding for community health care clinics. The resident said she has not received any medical attention since May, even after trying and being denied several times. An area veteran spoke up later and said the medical benefits he served for are being denied to him. Walden said that the country has not kept its promises to people who wore its uniform. One thing that could help the veterans, Walden said, is a system where veterans can receive prescription drugs by mail. Walden also said more needs to be done. When a resident called for Smith to not fund the Endangered Species Act, crowd members clapped and cheered. Smith said that is not entirely possible, but that reform of the ESA is needed. Last, but not least, among the several other issues brought up was the possible effects of the total maximum daily load process upon the lower Treasure Valley. Smith and Walden both spoke against the federal government setting arbitrary standards upon resources and said the government shouldn't lose sight of common sense.
