Letters to the Editor: Forum of D.C. reps in Brooklyn brings out blasts at Donovan
Editor’s Note: The recent Brooklyn Newsmakers forum sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce brought together Brooklyn representatives in Washington, D.C. to share their perspectives on the new administration and on the 2017 Congressional session. Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, who represents Bay Ridge and Staten Island, was targeted by protesters whose views were as overwhelmingly anti-Trump as the various letters on this page are. In a representative democracy, where bedfellows can help or hurt, Donovan takes the heat. In fairness to those who want to be heard and have written, we publish these letters and urge readers with insights and impulses on both sides to utilize our open, daily forum.
To the Editor,
I am writing to express my frustration at the conflicting information coming out of the office of U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, in particular the quote he gave to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in response to the protest at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Forum Monday, Feb. 6.
As a Bay Ridge constituent of Donovan, I have placed many calls to his offices over recent weeks expressing concerns about the Muslim ban (or in his chosen language, the “pause”) and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), among other topics. I have yet to receive a single return phone call.
I have additionally requested an in-person town hall so that he can dialogue in person with his constituency, but been informed by office staff that no such town hall will be forthcoming. Indeed, I was told that the only format to be offered will be monthly “tele town halls,” of which one has yet to be announced for February. A request for an in-person meeting when the congressman is in town during the week of the 20th has yet to receive a response.
These facts are in direct contradiction to his statement that he has “an open-door policy: I’ll meet with any constituent who wants to share his or her opinions and concerns. All they have to do is ask for a meeting.” I fear it is unlikely that I will have an opportunity to meet in person with my elected official if I can’t even get a return phone call from a staff member.