Dear Editor,

Congressman Diane Black continued to avoid her constituents on Friday April 7th at the Smithville Community Center. A number of residents of DeKalb County contacted her two weeks in advance of her scheduled speaking date at the Reagan Day Dinner to ask that she come early and meet with them. Although they made repeated communications to her staff in DC and Tennessee, they were told on Wednesday that she didn't have time.

Members of Indivisible/Huddle Upper Cumberland were already scheduled to have their bi-weekly meeting in the art room at the Community Center on Friday afternoon. Organizer Pam Anderson said "She could have stuck her head in here for 15 minutes to at least put names with faces. Everybody here has been calling about our concerns, and we're not being heard".

About six people from other counties and Indivisible groups also showed up to make their voices heard. They were surprised to find members of the Huddle making signs and eating homemade cookies in the art room. After introductions, they displayed their signs in vehicles in the parking lot and stood together in the entrance to the Community Center as people arrived for the Reagan Day dinner.

Congressman Black did not enter through the front door, or even the side door, where some people stood waiting to speak with her. She came in through a back entrance, thereby completely avoiding any contact with the constituents who have been asking to meet with her to discuss their concerns. As longtime resident and retired Special Ed teacher Merril Harris said - "What is she afraid of?".

Among those who gathered, improving the ACA was high on their list of concerns. Several people in the group received lifesaving health care through the ACA and want to see Congress work to improve it rather than continuing to weaken it as Republicans have promised to do.

This week is the second Congressional Recess of the new administration. During these times, members of Congress travel back to their districts to connect with the people they serve. Although many people have requested to meet with her, Congressman Black has so far failed to hold a public town hall anywhere in her district during the last recess and has none scheduled for this one.

The Jackson County Democratic Party, in conjunction with Indivisible TN-06, is organizing residents of District 6 to gather at Congressman Black's offices in Cookeville (April 18th at 4 PM), and Gallatin (April 20th at 4 PM) to ask that she meet with and hear the concerns of all her constituents. If you are interested in being a part of this, please send an e-mail with your contact info to huddleuppercumberland@gmail.com.

Krista Eickmann

Liberty