Friday, June 16, 2023
By: Mariah Hill
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley hosted a town hall meeting today at the Oregon Institute of Technology gym, marking Merkley’s 30th town hall across the state in 2023.
Carl Andrews, a resident of Klamath Falls and attended the town hall and said he plans on asking the senator about an energy site expected to be in the city.
“We have so much potential here and we have Oregon Institute of Technology, which was the very first university or technical school to offer a lower degrade in renewal energy,” Andrews said.
Throughout the meeting, Senator Merkley drew tickets and read them aloud to randomly choose someone from the crowd with the matching number.
Some residents had concerns about wildfire safety and Pacific Power’s prices going up in connection with the dam renewal project.
Later in the day, the senator stopped by Lakeview High School to speak to people in Lake County about their concerns.
Andrew said having town hall meetings can help the community better understand what is going on.
“When you speak directly with your senator or congressmen, you have a chance to understand what’s going on in the government,” Andrews said. “And how that person is going to represent you.”
Senator Merkley plans on hosting another town hall meeting in Deschutes County at Ridgeview High School in the Performing Arts Center.
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