Marshall moves Forsyth town hall meeting

Republican Carlisle to moderate

Monroe County residents will have a chance next week to tell their congressman what they think of the sweeping $1 trillion health care bill now in Congress. But the date and venue were changed on Tuesday night, after this week's Reporter went to press.

Congressman Jim Marshall (D-Macon) announced Tuesday that he was moving his town hall meeting to 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Monroe County Board of Education auditorium on Brooklyn Avenue. On Monday, Marshall's office announced the town hall meeting would be Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the American Legion Post 34 at 350 W. Main Street. The Reporter informed Marshall spokesman Doug Moore by e-mail on Monday night that the Legion hall doesn't have air conditioning. Then on Tuesday Marshall's office announced the move, noting the lack of air conditioning.

Marshall had asked former county commission chairman Harold Carlisle, a Republican, to moderate. Carlisle said on Wednesday that he hadn't heard about the change from Marshall's office but that he did read it in the Macon Telegraph.

The controversial health care reform bill has sparked some heated debate at town hall meetings of members of Congress across the U.S. during the current August recess. The 1,000-page bill would set up a government insurance option to compete against private insurance plans, restrict any changes in private insurance plans and raise taxes to fund the plan. Critics have said it would force citizens into government-controlled healthcare.

Marshall has said he does not support the current health care legislation in Congress. A press release from Marshall's office said constituents will have a chance to speak with Marshall about the economy, health care, energy prices and protecting American jobs, ask questions, and discuss these issues.