In the last two days we’ve receive quite a few calls and emails from readers complaining about “robo-calls” from First District Congressman Andy Harris. Some have even complained that they received two calls in one day.
Indeed, there were two calls that went out Tuesday. One call was an actual robo-call. Its purpose was to inform citizens of the toll hike hearing being held tonight in Berlin. The other call was a “Tele-Townhall”.
What’s a Tele-Townhall?
These are large conference calls. On Tuesday night Harris held a Tele-Townhall with over 6,200 constituents from the Eastern Shore. According to Harris Press Secretary Ryan Nawrocki:
This is the most cost efficient means for Andy to communicate with his constituents. Andy truly cares about how he spends taxpayer dollars. There aren’t any other means that we’ve found so far where Andy can talk to the people of the First District, but more importantly hear what they have to say and do so in an efficient manner.
Andy tries to do at least one of these every two weeks or so. It usually starts off with Andy speaking about a particular issue. The citizens can make comments or ask questions over the phone. Finally, we usually do a short poll where folks can give their answers via their phone keypad.
Here is one of the e-mails we received:
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can stop all of the automated phone calls that I receive from Andy Harris? I got 2 of them just today. I like him and did vote for him, but he is beginning to really annoy me. I usually get at least 2-3 each week..sometimes, as today, several in one day. A couple of weeks ago I sent an email to him requesting that he remove my number from his phone base, but still the calls persist. Unfortunately the Do Not Call list does not include politicians and charities, so do you have any ideas on this subject?
We asked Nawrocki about this as well. He was sorry that this individual’s email somehow was overlooked. “We put people on a ‘do not call’ list all the time. If they would send an email again, or call one of Andy’s offices, I’m sure that they wouldn’t be bothered again.”
Harris’s offices can be found on his US House website or you can call:
| Washington, DC 506 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5311 Fax: 202-225-0254 | Kent Island 100 Olde Point Village Suite 101 Chester, MD 21619 Phone: 410-643-5425 Fax: 410-643-5429 |
| Belair, MD 15 East Churchville Road Suite 102B Bel Air , MD 21014 Phone: 410-588-5670 Fax: 410-588-5673 | Salisbury |
6 comments:
Yes we are the caller ID says political call 406-219-2401 and he even leaves a message on the machine. The problem is this is not the only call we are getting 2-3 a day it drives me nuts!!!!
GA your so called lefty buddies never complained when it was Kratovil sending mail or robocalling, I for one appreciate greatly Andy Harris keeping in touch with us.
It's way more than Barack Hussein Obama or OMalley is doing for us.
How much are this guy's political panderings costing the taxpayer?
he's calling about the "bridge toll increase". good reason to alert his constituents. if you don't like it; don't answer. i'm sure you have caller id.
Anon 1639 -
I know I complained about some of the mailings that Kratovil did on the taxpayers' dime. I'm not totally comfortable with Andy sending out a card or robo-calling about the toll hike issue because it's not federal. However, he is informing his constituents.
Kratovil sent out franked mail pieced that were blatantly political. The only thing missing was "Vote for Me!"
All politicians (left, right, center, independents, ad nauseum) do these things, it's just a matter of degree. Don't answer the phone, hang up as soon as you know what it is, check your caller ID, delete the messages, block the number and vote appropriately. But no matter who holds the office, you will continue to see this happen. And, if it isn't the guy or gal YOU voted for, you will gripe, moan and complain to make him or her seem unworthy of re-election.
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