Community Forum with

Candidate Chris Murphy

All are invited to attend a Community Forum with Congressional candidate Chris Murphy in the Chapel, on Friday, September 22nd.  Mr. Murphy will discuss his plans and priorities and will answer questions.  A potluck supper will be held at 6:30p.m., in the Dining Room, and the community forum will follow.

Community Forum with Chris Murphy September 22, 2006 

Despite a scheduling conflict with a concert at the Norfolk Library many people from the community turned out for our second Community Forum of 2006.  The evening began with a pot luck dinner at 6:30 pm.  The Hospitality Committee had everything set up and people from the community brought lots of good food-- one generous person even providing a roast turkey.  Mr. Murphy and his assistant Jesse arrived at the last minute-- they had been knocking on doors and meeting people on Maple Avenue.  Reverend Erick Olsen welcomed everyone and explained the ground rules of the forum-- the church endorses no candidate and the forum is for information only, with no campaigning allowed.  Rev. Olsen then led us in a prayer and  food and fellowship were then enjoyed by all.

We moved upstairs to the chapel after eating.  Nels White introduced congressional candidate Chris Murphy.  Mr. Murphy spoke briefly about his background and motivations for running for congress.  He first ran for and won the office of State Representative from Southington at age 25.  He is currently a state senator, finishing his 8th year in elected office, and emphasized his work in healthcare legislation and his desire to overcome cynicism in politics.

Mr. Murphy then fielded questions from the audience on healthcare, the environment, the Iraq war, homeland security, energy policy, and other areas.  Despite a few people having to leave at 8 pm for the concert at the library, the audience seemed pleased with the opportunity to learn more about the political process in our area.

Reverend Erick Olsen welcomed the community, explaining that the church would take no position in the current congressional campaign-- that we were sponsoring the forum in order to help the community become better informed about our government and our political representatives.

Nels White introduced United States Representative Nancy Johnson of Connecticut's 5th Congressional District.  He explained how his chance meeting with Ms. Johnson on a flight between Hartford and Baltimore had led to this meeting in Norfolk. 

Congresswoman Johnson spoke briefly on her recent activities in Washington, including  the current status of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage program.  She then opened the session to questions from the audience.  She responded to questions about healthcare, loss of jobs in Connecticut, environmental issues, the war in Iraq, and other areas.

Around 5pm we adjourned to the dining room where the Hospitality Committee had set up a bountiful pot luck dinner for all.  Ms. Johnson and her husband Dr. Ted Johnson joined us for continuing conversation over a delicious meal.