Rick Boucher Holds Town Hall Meeting in Stuart, VA
April 19, 2009
Apr. 18. At the Historic Star Theatre in Downtown Stuart, VA, Congressman Rick Boucher, from the 9th District of Southwest Virginia greeted the public in a Town Hall meeting.
He gave reports on the following:
He announced that Patrick County Education Foundation had just received a Federal grant for $334,000 to continue their work with improving high school graduation rates, completion of GED certificates and workforce training.
He told about Jonathan Large, Supervisor from Dan River District of Patrick County coming before the subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet (which Mr. Boucher is Chair) in April and speaking about the need for High Speed Internet services in the Claudville area of Patrick County where residents are "underserved" or "unserved". The Federal stimulus package has authorized expenditure of $7 billion for expanding High Speed Internet services in rural communities in America.
He reminded folk of the extended deadline for conversion overe to Digital Television on June 12. Citizens only need to apply for the coupons from the Federal Communications Commission, if they are currently relying upon rabbit ears or antennas. This will allow the people to obtain a $40 coupon toward purchase of a conversion box.
He discussed the 47 million Americans without Health Care Insurance, which is a high cost to the public when people go to the Emergency Room for care, which is very costly. This will come up for debate in the U. S. Congress in the next 12 months or more.
He announced the Veterans Cemetary under construction in Pulaski County, VA which will be complete in 2010. Applications for this cemetary are being taken now.
Report and picture by Tom Bishop, Executive Director, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
Telephone: 276-694-6012
