TRACKING OUR LEGISLATORS SERIES - BOCCIERI : HIDING OUT IN MINERVA?

UPDATE: 08/20/2009 6:39 AM

E-MAIL RESPONSE TO ORIGINAL POST BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MINERVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I was provided a copy of your blog and wanted to clarify some items for your readers.

The Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce asked Congressman Boccieri to come to Minerva shortly after his vote on Cap & Trade; to address our chamber members, various issues affecting our businesses in Minerva, and in this case, specifically on his vote on CAP & TRADE and the potential impacts. The congressman agreed to meet with us sometime over the recess session. Working with the congressman’s staff we were able to identify a mutually agreeable date to hold the event. In addition, the chamber, not the congressman nor his staff, set the forum and the agenda. As a benefit to being a chamber member, the chamber, not the congressman nor his staff, limited the invitations to our current chamber members as a benefit of being a member. This forum will allow our chamber members, our businesses leaders, the opportunity to be heard on issues directly impacting them, and to have a direct dialogue with the congressman.

Our chamber members are faced with serious issues regarding various legislative initiatives such as CAP & TRADE, CARD CHECK, Health Care Reform, Bush era tax relief rollback, etc.; and the impending impacts they will have on their operations. We are pleased that Congressman Boccieri has accepted our invitation, which will allow Minerva area business leaders the forum to address issues impacting their business directly with the congressman. A “town hall” meeting is beyond the scope of the mission of the chamber and is well beyond the capability of this office. Should any of your readers wish to join the Minerva chamber and attend the event, they may contact me directly at the number listed below.

V/R

Lawrence A. Kosiba

Executive Director

Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce &

Economic Development

Ph: 330-868-7979

If you are a United States congressman, it is hard to "hide-out." But 16th District Congressman John Boccieri is trying.

The SCPR has received a copy of an e-mail generated by the executive director of the Minerva Chamber of Commerce which makes it abundantly clear that in these days of "town hall meetings" at which congressmen, U.S. senators and even the president have to answer tough questions, John Boccieri has gone low profile.

What is interesting here is that one wouldn't think that Democrat John Boccieri would seek refuge with chamber of commerce of types.

But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Note in the e-mail (see contents below) that the Minerva Chamber has given the Boccieri staff the final call on who gets in and who doesn't at Boccieri's appearance at the chamber on August 24th.

Here is a list of chamber/Boccieri people who you might contact if you "really, really" want to attend this event.

And here is the e-mail:

Subject: Congressman Boccieri Breakfast - Not Releasable Yet

I’ve arranged to have Congressman Boccieri come here to Minerva on Monday August 24 from 8:30 – 9:30 to talk with our Chamber Members.

THIS IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND IS NOT A TOWN HALL MEETING AND NOT A HEALTH CARE FORUM

The meeting will be presented as a BENEFIT to our CURRENT chamber members; be limited to current chambers members ONLY; and will focus on what the proposed legislation in congress will have on our businesses.

Anyone from the public wishing to attend will be directed to contact the Congressman’s office to find out where and when he will be conducting Town Hall meetings that they can attend – this is being presented as a benefit to our chamber members.


Each Chamber member will be allowed ONE individual from the company (must be a senior employee – no relatives/associates/etc) to attend via prior reservation/approval to get a head count;
Cost will be $10 per person to cover the cost of the meal;
Although not confirmed yet, the breakfast will be held at Classic 57;
Board members will have a separate invitation so if you are on the Board such as American Road & Machine; Dave Hank will have an invite and his business will have one invitation;

We are looking at four areas for discussion and how they will impact Minerva businesses:  CARD CHECK; CAP & TRADE; Health Care Reform; and Banking legislation.

Any questions – let me know – we will discuss more at Monday’s Board meeting.

Larry

Lawrence A. Kosiba
Executive Director
Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce &
Economic Development

Ph: 330-868-7979
FAX:  330-868-3347