By Nicole Jennings
Issaquah Reporter
ISSAQUAH — At least 150 residents of congressional District 8 braved the rain outside Rep. Dave Reichert’s Issaquah office Tuesday morning to protest what they saw as the congressman’s lack of availability for his constituents.
The protest was triggered by the Washington Republican’s decision to hold a Facebook Live event with constituents Thursday, during which he would answer pre-selected questions in front of a camera at the KCTS studios in Seattle.
Protesters said that the filmed event was not good enough, and claimed that Reichert has refused to meet with constituents in person at his office and to answer their phone messages and emails..
Neither Reichert nor his employees met with the protesters on Tuesday. Police told the group of constituents that they could not enter the parking lot of Reichert’s office.
“I’ve called several times about a variety of topics … I have not gotten any sort of call back or email response,” Christina Finley said.
Terri Lovato, of Auburn, who helped to organize Tuesday’s march, said that she has “emailed Reichert on numerous occasions about numerous issues” and always waited weeks for a “pre-written, canned response.”
Some residents said they were treated very well at Reichert’s office, but said they were still concerned about the congressman’s choice to do a Facebook Live interview.
“Reichert’s staff has been available and receptive to calls and questions. I did hear back when I asked questions about the Affordable Care Act replacement and have a letter … about his thoughts on the repeal and replacement,” Grady Brumbaugh told the Reporter in a Twitter message. “My word of advice to Reichert is that … he needs to be transparent and answer questions openly.”
Cathy Wittel said Reichert has always made himself open in the past, but surmised that his recent change in behavior was due to a fear of owning up to a pro-Trump voting record.
“This is the first time he has chosen not to appear in person,” Wittel said. “He doesn’t want to answer questions about why he’s supporting [Trump’s policies].”
“My team and I have always made every effort to make ourselves available, including proactively arranging meetings with groups with opposing views, scheduling Facebook Live events, holding teletown halls, attending public events, and responding to constituent mail and phone calls,” Reichert wrote the Reporter in an email.
Constituents said that they have quite a few issues to discuss with the congressman in the wake of some of President Donald Trump’s actions and statements, including the immigration ban and the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
The protesting constituents suggested that Reichert hold a town hall meeting to to interact with those he represents face-to-face and hear their concerns. They felt that an event held during working hours on a social media site that not everyone may belong to was not encompassing enough residents.
Stephen Wilhelm, who held a sign comparing Reichert’s number of town halls with those of other members of Congress from Washington state, said that he was “confident there haven’t been any town halls (with Reichert) since 2010.”
“Congressman Reichert is not doing his job,” Wilhelm said.
“I just would like to be able to have a decent kind of conversation with him … to understand where he’s coming from,” Finley said.
Constituents also took umbrage with the fact that the Facebook Live questions were pre-chosen.
“I fear that a Facebook Live event … allows Rep. Reichert to strictly control the comments and questions he chooses to respond to,” Jay Thaler said in an email. “It reeks of becoming a scripted event rather than actually seeking comment from his constituents.”
Reichert said that based on past experience, there is little value in a town hall meeting, and only the potential for danger for those involved.
“Over the years, town halls have disintegrated into shouting matches with no productive results and in some cases put attendees and staff at risk,” he stated.
Reichert wants everyone to contact him if they have something to say.
“I encourage anyone who would like to meet with me or my staff to contact my office anytime,” he said.
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