Rep. Wilson may be calling you to ‘town hall’ meeting

The program will
discuss the economic stimulus package and other issues.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — Instead of calling your congressman, your congressman will be calling you.

The office of U.S. Rep. Charles A. Wilson Jr., D-6th, will make the mass call for a live “town hall” meeting — by phone.

Wilson’s office will be making 40,000 calls for the meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

If your congressman doesn’t call you, his office says you can feel free to dial in yourself to listen or ask questions.

The program will discuss the new economic stimulus package that calls for up to $600 per person and $1,200 for a married couple and $300 per child.

“The congressman is working hard to make sure that our working families, our seniors, and veterans were included. Charlie wants to make sure they get what is theirs,” said Hillary Viers, a spokesman for Wilson.

The district starts in Mahoning County and moves south through 11 other counties.

To take part, people can call toll-free at 1-866-447-5149.

Callers will be guided to use a PIN Number — 13016 — in order to ask questions.

The technology to make 40,000 calls is manageable and cost-effective, Viers said.

Realistically, the calls will result in about 2,000 to 3,000 participants, she said.

The calls will be screened to make sure callers don’t ask the same questions.

Many people have questions, Viers said. There are many senior citizens in the district.

Social Security is all they receive, and they may not have filed an income tax return in several years, Viers said.

But to get the rebate, they must file a 1040 A form with the IRS.

Viers said the people involved in the calls will also play another important role by passing on the information.

wilkinson@vindy.com