'We want a good discussion on both sides'
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- National health care has been the hot issue for Congress this summer, with members of Congress escaping the heat of Washington, D.C., only to go home and hold some very heated town hall meetings.
This Wednesday in Cottage Grove, Congressman Peter DeFazio finds out what his reception is going to be.
"We have a lot of differing viewpoints," DeFazio said, "and for the most part my experience is, the discussion may get hot, but at some point we agree to disagree -- and I expect and hope the meetings will go that way."
The August break has so far seen numerous town hall meetings held by Democratic lawmakers disrupted by boisterous opponents.
The folks in Cottage Grove hope things are different.
"We're just hoping not to have that, honestly," said Mark Bass, executive director of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce. "We want a good discussion on both sides."
Bass believes there's no reason cool heads cannot prevail on Wednesday at the 9:30 a.m. town hall at the Cottage Grove Community Center.
"If you come into Cottage Grove, please be respectful of the ideas that everyone has, not just one certain group," he said.
"On our side it will certainly be civil," said Kerry Ferguson, president of the Republican Women of Central Lane County committee. Her group has serious concerns over the House bill now being debated.
"I hope that Congressman DeFazio will spend equal time listening to both sides," she said. "It's only the people standing up and saying 'wait a minute' that has caused it to come to this point where we at least have an opportunity to come to these sessions."
In the end, when DeFazio comes to town, officials hope the town hall won't be lit up by verbal pyrotechnics.
