Constituent care hasn’t been Blum’s priority

Starting in early 2017 I frequently went to U.S. Rep. Rod Blum's local office to express concern on certain issues. Often the staff would take issue with my comments rather than just take notes. I would not hear anything back from my Congressman.

Then his office moved and all I would find whenever I visited was a clipboard hanging on the door for constituents to leave a note, which I did. I would never hear back.

I've emailed him multiple times. I don't hear back. When I visited Washington, D.C. in May, I made appointments with each of my congress people - Blum's office was the most difficult to arrange. When I arrived at the appointed time, they were surprised to see me! Someone did sit down with me to visit but turned hostile when I brought up issues I wanted to talk about. I never heard from Blum.

I've signed up to get his e-newsletters but in nine months I've only gotten six news releases and recaps, with three of those in the last month. I've never gotten invited to any of his telephone 'town halls” but did to his opioid 'conferences.”

But now he's everywhere! His postcards and ads say how he's looking out for me in Congress! He's doing so much! He's just a regular Iowan, in his white T-shirt!

Blum hasn't shown interest in holding town halls, in meeting with his constituents, or responding to emails or messages. Who does he represent?

Anne Salamon

Cedar Rapids