By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Over a dozen people attended mobile office hours for Congressman Rudy Yakym in Warsaw on Wednesday, March 19.

According to a news release issued by Yakym’s office in early March, the mobile office hours are “designed to be respectful, one-on-one conversations with the congressman’s team, primarily for federal casework assistance. These are not town halls and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.”

Marty Schultz, district deputy director for Yakym; and around 15 constituents were present during the office hours, held in Warsaw’s city hall council chambers. Only one of the constituents in attendance had questions about federal casework assistance.

Each person at the meeting was given the opportunity to speak, with multiple people requesting Yakym host a town hall for constituents to directly voice their concerns about national politics.

Schultz took notes on everyone’s comments and said they would be given to Yakym.

One man asked if Yakym was aware his constituents, including Republicans, are upset with the current administration.

“They’re doing stuff that seems to be out of line, stuff that needs to be discussed with the Senate and that’s not being done,” said the constituent. “(President Donald Trump)’s running rampant. I’m not a Republican, I’m not a Democrat. I’m right down the middle, I’ve voted both ways. But I sure don’t agree with what Rudy is doing right now or what the president is doing. I don’t want my grandkids to grow up with this, I really don’t. I’m tired of the anger.”

Several also expressed concerns with national programs being cut and the effect that could have on local businesses; Medicaid cuts; and actions taken by Elon Musk, Trump’s senior advisor and head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

“There’s an old saying … ‘You measure twice and cut once,'” said another constituent. “You guys are doing that backward. What sense does it make to fire somebody and then a week later, hire them back because they’re essential? The top brass is not thinking clearly.”

Lee Harman wrote a letter addressed to Yakym, read it aloud, and provided it to Schultz. He requested Yakym conduct town halls in his district so constituents can speak to him directly about the Trump administration’s actions.

Harman and several others in attendance said they had sent emails and made phone calls to Yakym’s office. Harman said he had “little faith” his emails to Yakym had been read.

“There is great concern among many people that the rule of law seems to be under attack,” said Harman. “Why are we firing our tax collectors with the IRS cutbacks, while at the same time moving toward the continuation of tax cuts that Congress says will add at least $4 trillion to the national debt? What line must yet be crossed until you, Congressman, say ‘enough’ and stand for the Constitution over the authoritarian wishes of the current president?”

Sherman Goldenberg, another constituent, said he believed it was troubling for “a lot of people to watch this evolve.”

“Even centrists like me … this doesn’t feel like it’s going to end well,” said Goldenberg.

One constituent in attendance who identified herself as a Republican noted Kosciusko County has “the nicest Democrats ever.” She asked Schultz to pass along a thank-you to Yakym for his work, but requested Yakym help with “activist judges.”

Don Guthrie commented on the February mobile staff office hours, where close to 30 people attended to speak with Savannah Smallwood, a field representative for Yakym. Guthrie said both Smallwood and Schultz were respectful to the constituents, but that he wanted an apology from Griffin Nate, Yakym’s district director.

On Feb. 25, Yakym’s office issued a statement on “prioritizing respectful accessibility and transparency,” with the press release including a quote from Nate.

“We’re here to serve and represent all Hoosiers in the Second District — but we won’t stand for leftist lies meant to disrupt, disrespect, and intimidate,” said Nate in the release.

“I don’t care about the leftist part, I’m a centrist,” said Guthrie. “But he called me a liar in the press and I want an apology for that. Either that, or tell me how I lied.”

Nancy Rooker said she wants a government to be “civil discourse.”

“I’ve been a lifelong Republican and I’m embarrassed by that now,” said Rooker. “I cannot call myself a Republican because things have been degraded so much that we’re threatening each other and calling each other names. That’s not doing anyone any good, that’s not governing to me, and I want my representative to stand up to that.”

Those in attendance thanked Schultz for being respectful and hearing their comments.