Sheriff hosts town hall meeting with Congressman Jeff Flake

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu will be hosting a town hall meeting featuring 6th District Congressman Jeff Flake on Monday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m.at Poston Butte High School. The new high school is located at 32375 N.Gantzel Rd., San Tan Valley and has a capacity of 3,100 people.

Town halls across the nation have focused largely on health care reform, proposed by President Barak Obama. Sheriff Babeu helped organize a town hall meeting for Congressman Flake at Basha High School in south Chandler in early August, attended by an overflow crowd of 1,500 citizens. Over 500 additional residents were denied access for capacity concerns.

Lieutenant Tamatha Villar, spokesperson for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said, “Sheriff Babeu understands the need and importance for citizens to speak directly to their congressman. The sheriff wanted to help organize this first town hall meeting with Congressman Flake in Pinal County. Many Pinal County residents have felt left out of the discussion, and we are extremely excited that Congressman Flake is coming to hear us.”

Sheriff Babeu said, “Voters are angry and need to be heard on issues that affect our families and our safety. I want to ensure that Pinal County residents’ voices are heard in an orderly and organized setting. The last town hall we hosted was an amazing example of our democracy in action. I will go over the ground rules of the town hall and expect another very positive exchange. Congressman Flake listens to his constituents and then thoughtfully responds to their frustration, anger and concerns.”

Past town hall meetings have largely focused on concerns over national health care reform yet have also included discussions on the bailout of the auto, banking and insurance industries. Sheriff Babeu invites citizens to have their voices heard and to attend this meeting.

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