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Uploaded: Saturday, January 19, 2008, 8:53 PM
McNerney's 'Corner Congress' in Pleasanton turns out to be one-on-one chat
San Jose station, few constituents get chance to hear congressman's views
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| A small crowd of 25 people turned out Saturday to meet and talk to Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) but only a few did and even fewer ever heard what he had to say.
The event, billed as "The Congress at Your Corner," turned out to be a one-on-one taping event for the local San Jose NBC11 television station, which arrived with a cameraman, on-air reporter and a lapel microphone it pinned on McNerney. McNerney then proceeded to talk to constituents face-to-face and one-on-one with only the constituent and the TV station able to hear the dialogue.
Others in the room who strained to hear were told by two of McNerney's Pleasanton office staff aides that McNerney did not intend to speak to the crowd, only to one individual at a time.
Those who stayed waited their turn to talk to the congressman. Others at the session, held in the back room of Coffee Beans & Bistro, moved to the front of the coffeeshop and out onto Main Street to Saturday's Farmer's Market, being held across the street. - Jeb Bing Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by janet v, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Jan 20, 2008 at 10:48 am Would have gone if the Pleasanton Weekly announced it.
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Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Jan 20, 2008 at 11:42 am They did.
Web Link
Sounds like it turned out to be some sort of joke meeting.
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Posted by Pete, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 20, 2008 at 3:16 pm Another mindless comment! Good job Stacey.
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Posted by Paulette, a resident of the Val Vista neighborhood, on Jan 20, 2008 at 4:52 pm I'm sorry not many people showed up to share their hopes and concerns; but, that's the way it's been lately. People are too busy; they imagine their voices don't matter. And, by thinking this, they make it so.
For an interesting article on the lack of liberal involvement in politics in the suburbs, read Michael J. Thompson's "The Suburban Assault on Democracy." You can find it at www.urbanreinventors.net.
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Posted by Marjorie, a resident of the Carriage Gardens neighborhood, on Jan 23, 2008 at 8:13 pm Half the time I don't get the Pleasanton Weekly in my mailbox. I read other newspapers last week and didn't see any mention of this.
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Posted by watch dog, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 24, 2008 at 1:20 pm Another mindless comment! Good job Stacey.
Posted by Pete, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 20, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Look who's talking....
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Posted by Nancy, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 24, 2008 at 1:30 pm What do you mean by "joke meeting"? I have to say that at least McNerney is making himself available to constituents. Can't say I recall seeing Mr. Pombo around these parts... It is too bad that so many people blog about issues but so few show up to express them to someone with political will to make change happen.
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Posted by Pete, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 24, 2008 at 3:32 pm To Watch Dog
When Kolln Hardware becomes a bank and you are tied to a post outside, please bark and I'll throw you a dog biscuit on the way out. That is the nicest comment I've heard in quite some time. I'll keep your comment in mind. Thanks. And yes, Congressman McNerney should be reminded to organize the town meetings, a bit more receptive. I'm sorry,that was mindless of me. Advice to Staff, check out area first to empower your constituents to engage.
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Posted by watch dog, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 24, 2008 at 4:14 pm Woof.
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Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Jan 24, 2008 at 5:26 pm Nancy,
What I mean by "joke meeting" is based upon how the event was advertised (Web Link) and how it actually turned out. It appears from the PW article that only a few people got to speak with McNerney while NBC taped them and not everyone who showed up was able to hear what was going on. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great for representatives to get "out and about" and become accessible to their constituents in such a manner, but this sounds like it was more of media show.
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