Congressman answers tough questions on healthcare and Smurfit-Stone
Read more: Local, Stupak Meeting, Healthcare, Smurfit Stone, Western U.P.
ONTONAGON -- From Smurfit-Stone to healthcare reform hundreds of Ontonagon residents got a chance to share their concerns with Congressman Bart Stupak at a town hall meeting Wednesday night.
People filled the seats, lined the walls and crowed in doorways of the cafeteria at the Ontonagon Jr./Sr. High School.
It was a full crowd and a crowd full of tough questions for the Representative.
One woman simply asked, "What are you doing to help us?"
Stupak spent the first half of the meeting going over an in-depth power point presentation on the current healthcare situation.
"He did a good job of explaining the healthcare issue, especially the house side of it,” said Ewen resident Al Warren. “I hope he's right, that it will prevail and we'll get a public option."
After the slides, Stupak opened the meeting to discussion, which quickly shifted the focus to the most pressing local issue - how to save the mill.
"He’s very supportive of us and he's done a lot to try to keep jobs in the area and support the rural economies of the Upper Peninsula," said Ontonagon resident Meredith Strong.
"We need a little guidance,” said another Ontonagon resident, Debra Dix. “We had a meeting earlier and we can help our selves as well. What we have to do is get through to Smurfit."
Stupak agreed, commending the community for their passion and urging them to turn up the heat on Smurfit-Stone.
"You know what has to be done,” said Stupak. “Tell us and we can get it done."
Stupak’s tour of the Western U.P. isn't over just yet.
He has several stops planned in Houghton County on Thursday and then he heads to Baraga on Friday.
Click here to watch the lengthy raw video from Wednesday evening's discussion.
