Staying in Touch
The First Amendment to our Constitution grants freedom of speech and a right to petition our government. Each day I hear from constituents across Southeastern North Carolina who exercise that freedom and give voice to the people whom I am honored to represent. Those opinions, comments, and concerns do not fall on deaf ears. In fact, they can shape public policy in an extraordinary way.
Today’s technological advances have dramatically transformed modern day communications. The age of instant messaging, emailing, and texting, has enabled our society to communicate more effectively in real time. In addition to the hand-written letters, faxes and phone calls my office receives each week, thousands of emails are sent every week from those seeking assistance or those wanting to participate in the political process. We are always striving to improve and more effectively reach out to constituents across the Seventh District in order to provide more useful information. We recently launched a new Facebook page and will soon announce a new website in order to bring you the most updated and timely information available.
Earlier this spring, I hosted a telephone-town hall meeting with constituents from Robeson, Bladen and Columbus counties. Approximately 5,000 people participated in a live telephone call which was structured like a traditional town hall style meeting. Telephone participants asked questions or voiced comments directly to me. It was an informative and unique opportunity to engage in conversation about jobs, the economy, health care reform, and other important issues affecting all of us. It was just one of the technological tools we are using to keep constituents informed of policies affecting them and the services which are available.
While technology is serving a critical role in our outreach efforts, it has not replaced the value of a face-to-face encounter. We have local offices in Bolivia, Fayetteville, Lumberton and Wilmington, and we have regular mobile visits to locations in every county throughout the district. Additionally, I personally hold meetings in each county so that anyone can come and speak with me privately on a first-come, first-served basis about any issue on their mind. Just in the first two weeks of this month, I drove over 1,200 miles travelling to events and meetings all over Southeastern North Carolina. Our part of North Carolina is extraordinarily diverse, and my visits are a reflection of that rich diversity. No matter what part of the political or philosophical spectrum someone may represent, I try to be accessible and listen closely to the concerns of our citizens.
Southeastern North Carolina and our entire nation are facing some challenging times ahead, and in order to most effectively represent you, it is important that I hear from you. I encourage you to stay in touch, exercise your rights, and participate in the process as public policy is shaped. Please visit my website at www.house.gov/mcintyre where you may email me directly or go to www.house.gov/mcintyre/enewsletter.shtml to sign up for my e-newsletter to receive periodic updates about the issues most important to you and your family. You may also visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mike-mcintyre. I value your thoughts and always welcome your input and insight.
