Addressing the issues

U.S. Rep. Meeks holds town hall meeting

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About 100 people packed into the Gateway Christian Center in Valley Stream on Feb. 18 for a town hall-style meet-and-greet with U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Far Rockaway) focusing on two important issues: immigration and the Affordable Care Act.

Referring to the recent news-making moves on immigration by the Trump administration, Meeks said it was important for his constituents to be well armed with information to protect themselves. "There is due process - remember, you have rights," he said. "If agents come to your door, do not open it. Ask them whether or not they have a warrant. If they do, it must be signed by a judge." 

"They're coming to intimidate," he added. "Don't get scared, but make them identify themselves. And this is very important: If the signatures on the warrant are of an administrator or district attorney, it is not enough. It has to be a judge."

Turning to the subject of health care, Meeks said he kept hearing that the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was going to be repealed, but that it was encouraging that it had not. "For the last eight years, Republicans kept saying they want to abolish it," he said. "Now they say they want to but have nothing to replace it, no backup plan. Many of their constituents have Obamacare. I think they want to repeal Obamacare and replace it with the Affordable Care Act," he added, inferring that some Republicans don't understand that the two programs are one and the same.

Before he fielded questions--whose topics ranged from his future plans to local development to politics--he introduced his staff to the attendees so they would know who to direct questions and concerns to when he is out of the office.

Joyce Stephenson attended the meeting, representing St. John's United Methodist Church in Elmont. "I wanted to know more about your thoughts on the increase in taxes with regards to Green Acres," she said. 

Meeks said he thought it was a "local versus federal issue, basically a county" issue. "What I would like to discuss more is the development of Belmont racetrack in Elmont," he said. "I can't really comment on the Green Acres tax issue because it's a local and county issue. I want to see a new request-for-proposals submission period opening up. I want input from the community on that. We need to get folks from the community and their ideas out there open for discussion, and then pass them along to the governor. I guess that sometime in April this year, we will be doing this."

Lucia Grunin, a senior at Valley Stream High School, said she had come with her A.P. History and Government class to learn more about how the political system works. "I think it's great to see what the congressman can do for the town, our area and for young people," she said. "It's good to hear people voicing their concerns."

Meeks said he was encouraged to see the class sitting in on his meeting. "Millennials did not come out to vote as I thought they would have," he said. "We need to get back to civics education. I love the spirit of the young people. I know they do want to be heard."

Others, such as Patti Drake of Lynbrook and Jennifer Matelli of East Rockaway, said they had come simply because they wanted to meet the congressman and hear what he had to say. "During Congress's recess, he's the only one who's had a town hall meeting," Drake said. "He gave us a chance to let us be heard."

Matelli said she supports the leaders who listen to her concerns. "I think we all have to speak up," she said. "I support those representatives like Meeks because we need them to know how badly we want them to work for us. I'll go to every town hall meeting every politician has."