LOCATION CHANGE: Ron Johnson Town Hall (Constituent Hosted)

Due to large numbers of people interested in attending, the location for Senator Ron Johnson's Town Hall Meeting has been changed to First Congregational Church, 1609 University Avenue, Madison, WI 6-8:30PM.

press release: Madison residents who are disappointed with Sen. Ron Johnson’s failure to schedule a Town Hall in Wisconsin during the February Congressional break have scheduled their own Town Hall and invited Johnson to speak and field questions from constituents.

The Town Hall will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave. in Middleton.

“Many Wisconsin residents have phoned and emailed Senator Johnson asking him to hold a town hall meeting during the break,” said Ann Jamison, 35, of Madison, one of the organizers. “Despite our requests, the senator has not scheduled any meetings to meet with his constituents.”

Jamison said she has phoned and e-mailed Johnson’s office in Washington, D.C. at least three times to request that Johnson schedule town halls. “I was told by a staffer in D.C. that Johnson has no plans to meet with his constituents in Wisconsin due to ‘everything that’s going on in D.C.’,” she said.

Fellow organizer Stephanie Kurtz, 27, Madison, said that after the senator’s staff said he had no plans to offer town halls in Wisconsin, she banded together with Jamison and Adam Wood to organize a Town Hall.

“Along with many other people, I have been trying to communicate with Senator Johnson by phone, e-mail and letters, but have been met with a voicemail recording or a form letter response. I feel we are not being heard and not being respected,” said Wood, 34, of Madison.

Organizers say the Town Hall will take place whether or not Johnson makes an appearance.

“Wisconsin residents deserve to be heard. This event gives a place to voice our issues whether or not the senator attends to hear them,” Jamison explained.

Organizers will insist the Town Hall meeting remains civil and respectful. Organizers ask that attendees please limit signs to a manageable size of 8.5x11 inches. A limited number of Agree/Disagree signs will be made available at the event.