Rep. Costello sets town hall meeting on Jan. 4
WEST CHESTER » U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th Dist., who has been under siege by weekly local protests focusing on his votes on health care and tax cuts, is going to meet the public on Jan. 4.
The congressman announced Friday he will host a town hall at Downingtown West High School Thursday night. The ticketed event will be held at the school, 445 Manor Avenue, Downingtown. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for check-in.
Constituents from Chester County will be given the first opportunity to reserve tickets for the session. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Everyone who wants to attend this town hall must register at www. eventbrite.com/e/chestercounty-conversation-withcongressman-costello-tickets-41608930431 or by calling Rep. Costello’s West Chester Office at 610-6962982 by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Confirmation will be issued by Wednesday, Jan. 3. The West Chester office is closed until Tuesday.
Costello has held 11 town halls this year. Most were tele-town halls.
The congressman met with constituents and answered questions at an Aug. 7 town hall in Pottstown, and an April 8 session in West Chester.
The town hall that made the biggest splash was a Feb. 25 event in Phoenixville that Costello did not attend.
Months later, Costello said he didn’t attend for security reasons and that he perceived a “potential threat” with non-Costello event organizers setting him up.
Demonstrators have met weekly outside Costello’s courthouse office since Donald Trump’s inauguration last January.
Costello was applauded by demonstrators after changing his original committee vote in favor of repeal of the Affordable Care Act. He voted against the final version of the plan in the vote by the full House.
A group of more than 100 protestors met on the courthouse steps mid-December to urge Costello to vote against the Republican tax plan. Costello has steadfastly supported the plan, and voted in favor. The plan was signed into law by President Trump last week.
A group of 15 protestors recently held a four and half hour sit-in at Costello’s West Chester office.
Since then, the office welcomes visitors by appointment only.
Costello said he is excited to meet with constituents.
“It’s always nice,” Costello said Friday. “And I find it to be one of the most enjoyable and important aspects in my capacity as congressman.
“Last Friday, in fact, I met randomly with a few protesters one-on-one in my office in West Chester, and had four other one-onone meetings with constituents in my West Chester and Wyomissing offices,” he said. “So this is just a continuation of my pattern of being accessible and doing my best to accommodate everyone who requests time to meet with me.”
The two-term representative noted that it’s good to answer questions and let people know how a congressman stands on the issues.
“That’s my responsibility as an elected official in our democracy, and especially so in this environment when there’s such a heightened interest in what is happening,” Costello said.
Getting out and visiting the district also is important, according to the congressman.
“That’s why I’m constantly doing it, and why each week I issue a report to my constituents on how I voted, why I voted as I did, and where and with whom I visited in the congressional district. It’s called Ryan’s Report and anyone can sign up online to receive it by logging onto my website at https:// costello.house.gov/contact/ newsletter.
Ryan, as will all members of the House of Representatives, will run for election in what are expected to be hotly contested mid-term elections next November. Several Democrats have indicated they will seek the nomination to challenge him.