U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross will meet with constituents in his first Plant City town hall, April 4. Ross will listen to concerns, opinions and questions and then take time to respond and explain any issues.
“The first thing is to find out what the constituents want to talk about,” Ross said. “It’s important we do this as a listening session.”
Ross tries to do open town hall meetings twice every two months. He held two in January in Temple Terrace and in Lakeland.
“As a Congressman, I’m supposed to reflect the will of the people and be related to the people I represent,” Ross said.
About two weeks ago, Ross and his staff also conducted a telephone town hall from Washington D.C., reaching 11,000 by phone.
Prior to serving the 15th district, Ross served the 12th district.
Due to redistricting base on 2010 Census data, a little more than half of Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ old district fell in the redrawn 12th district. Before, the 12th district encompassed much of Polk County, parts of eastern Hillsborough County and a small piece of western Osceola County. Now the 12th district no longer includes Polk County.
The 15th district contained most of Brevard County south of Cocoa, all of Indian River County, most of Osceola County and a small portion of Polk County. The district also took in Kissimmee, Melbourne and Vero Beach. Now it includes portions of Hillsborough and Polk counties.
Ross’s first foray into politics was when he was active in student government at Lakeland Senior High School.
“It was something I wanted to do all my life as a kid,” Ross said. “I don’t look at is as a career, I look at it as a chapter of my life — serving in Congress.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Plant City Town Hall
WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4
WHERE: Commission chambers, first floor, 302 W. Reynolds St., Plant City
Bartow Town Hall
WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4
WHERE: Polk County Administration Building, first floor, 330 W. Church St., Bartow