Town hall by phone sounds like a cop-out

I called 14th District Congressman Bill Foster's office recently to ask when he might be having town hall meetings during the August recess. I was told that they could not locate an appropriate venue, and that he would be conducting a "town hall by phone."

Huh? What's a town hall by phone? Do we get to hear preselected questioners ask softball questions over the phone? Doesn't sound much like a real town hall to me. He might as well put up a prerecorded phone message with talking points. Heck, he could even computerize it: "Press 1 for my thoughts on the budget, Press 2 for... "

I urge all voters in the 14th District to call Foster's office and ask him to conduct true town hall meetings like other congressmen are doing all over the country. His Batavia office number is (630) 406-1114, or fax him at (630) 406-1808.

Tim Baldwin

Aurora