Letter: When do our reps meet the public?

Can you find dates when our state legislative and national congressional representatives have scheduled meetings with the public? I can't.

I looked on the official websites for each of our representatives and found very little. With all of the talk about forums in the Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha and Robins area, I wanted to see if they had a calendar on their websites listing when the public could meet with them.

Rob Hogg and Liz Mathis listed upcoming events including dates and times for local forums. They didn't say if they were attending. Kirsten Running-Marquardt has a regularly scheduled 'Monday Morning Coffee” in Des Moines where you can meet with her. Ashley Hinson, Liz Bennett and Ken Rizer didn't have anything listed. Chuck Grassley says he goes to 99 counties, but has not been to the Cedar Rapids area in recent memory. Joni Ernst has a schedule when you can meet with her campaign staff.

If these people are going to represent us shouldn't they have at least four dates a year in their district scheduled ahead of time when people can meet with them to discuss issues? I think they should be available in their districts where they are easily accessible in face-to-face meetings. I don't like the form letters I get nor the failure to call be me back with answers from my representatives' helpers who answer the phone. How can they represent us without meeting with us?

Jan Kvach

Hiawatha