Live Oak Townhall Meeting Reports

RAUCOUS HEALTHCARE DEBATE DRAWS NEARLY 500

Half the crowd was turned away for lack of space

By Stephenie Livingston and Jeff Waters

No one got escorted out by police and everyone given a chance to speak was also given a chance to be heard – if often over boos and catcalls. All in all, the crowd at Live Oak City Hall Wednesday for Rep. Allen Boyd’s town hall meeting was relatively tame, at least compared to the spectacles seen at other such gatherings around the nation of late.

With about 250 crowded into the council chambers, 100 or more inside the building listening at the door and at least 100 more milling around outside, the meeting illustrated just how controversial the issue of healthcare has become. However, prior to the Congressman's appearance, most in attendance seemed to share the attitude of Live Oak’s George Mortimor.

... Read more: http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/local/local_story_225081246.html

Healthy debate

Hundreds rally in Live Oak to discuss proposed health care reform
By TROY ROBERTS

Hundreds of area residents gathered in Live Oak City Hall on Wednesday to share their opinions of the federally proposed health care bill with Democratic Congressman Allen Boyd.

Boyd, who represents Florida’s second district, discussed his views with residents, a majority of who vocally opposed the health care bill. More than 500 were in attendance, although the number could have been significantly higher as many people were coming and going throughout the hour-and-a-half meeting. The meeting was held in the city hall chambers, but the room, which could hold about 150, was not nearly large enough to host the crowd, and spilled out into the lobby area and outside of city hall as well.

... Read more: http://www.lakecityreporter.com/articles/2009/08/13/news/doc4a83665a22ded042916861.txt