Letter: Sarvi has proven to be in touch

To the Editor:

Michael Osskopp’s letter to the editor is extremely misleading. It would be a biased and inaccurately revisionist version of history to pretend that U.S. Rep. John Kline has a perfect track record when it comes to meeting with constituents (R-E, June 12). On the contrary, Kline has notoriously neglected to meet and hear from the citizens of Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

In 2006, Kline had to be petitioned by his own constituents to hold a town hall meeting. Why would a congressman have to be petitioned? Not because he has a “tireless” record of meeting and speaking with the citizens he represents.

I’ve also personally felt the burn of a Kline snub. I am a college undergraduate who works with a group called the Student Campaign for Child Survival. Every year, SCCS attends the National Conference for Global Justice in Washington, D.C., and SCCS staffers set up meetings for each member with their home district’s representative. I was told by SCCS staffers that Kline never responded to their requests for a meeting. Fortunately, I was able to spend some time with Congressman Jim Oberstar.

As for Kline’s opponent in District 2, Steve Sarvi: When I first caught wind of his campaign in early March, I sent an e-mail to the “Contact Us” e-mail address on his Web site, asking him questions about his stance on an array of issues. Iraq, economy, fuel, environment, LGBT equality; you name it. I received a response with answers that were both clear and concise on each position.

Sarvi has already proven that he will find no problem making himself available to meet and speak with the constituents of Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

Andrew Schultz

Red Wing

Tags: letter, john, kline, steve, sarvi, 2nd, district, andrew, schultz