How do our elected officials know what’s important to us if we don’t tell them?
They don’t. That’s why the International Falls Chamber of Commerce and Borderland’s state representative and senator deserve credit for giving us just that opportunity.
From noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 31, Rep. Tom Anzelc and Sen. Tom Saxhaug will be at the Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall to meet with area residents, thanks to the chamber’s Legislative Priorities Planning Session.
The planning session is intended to give Borderland residents a chance to get the ear of the their state representatives before the 2008 Legislative session convenes Feb. 12.
It’s that chance to speak directly to the senator and representative that makes this a valuable opportunity for both sides of the table.
It allows area residents to tell their elected officials how they believe they should vote on issues that will be raised at the Capitol. In addition, it gives people a chance to raise new issues that should be brought to Legislature for consideration.
The planning session will also allow Anzelc and Saxhaug to discuss the topics, projects and issues they expect to see the House and Senate take up this year. And it will give them an opportunity to explain to their constituents what direction they plan to take on those items.
Local leaders and elected officials already effectively and regularly communicate their thoughts to Anzelc and Saxhaug as well as other state officials. The chamber’s planning session offers Borderland residents a true grass roots opportunity to make their views known to the people that have been elected to represent us at the state level. But without public participation, the value of this session will be lost.