Boyd does not expect protests at town halls

PANAMA CITY — Despite town hall meetings across the county being interrupted by protesters, U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd predicts things will be different for him.

“I’ve known our people in North Florida for many, many years,” he said Tuesday in a two-hour meeting with The News Herald’s editorial board. “I would be surprised if people came out just to disrupt.”

Boyd will hold the first of 14 town hall meetings today in Live Oak, at the eastern end of his district. He will wrap up the events Aug. 28 at Gulf Coast Community College.

“I can’t presume what people may or may not do. I want to have a constructive dialog about the issues. ... That’s what I’m going to focus on,” he said.

All over the country, protesters have gathered at town hall meetings hosted by Democratic members of Congress, expressing their opposition to the creation of a government-run health care plan that would compete with private insurers.

Some have labeled the protesters as Republican operatives or insurance company employees dispatched with the sole intent of disrupting the events. Boyd said he knows nothing of those efforts.

“I have no information to confirm or deny” those rumors, he said.

He said those in attendance will be allowed to bring signs and show opposition at his events, but there will be people on hand to ensure the events do not become unruly.

“I think when we go to these communities, we invite the whole community,” Boyd said. “There will be folks there who will hold people accountable that want to be disruptive.”

Town Halls from Boyd's website

Monday, August 17

Cross City Community Forum
10:00 a.m.
Cross City Woman’s Club
NE 134 Street
Cross City, Florida

Mayo Community Forum
1:00 p.m.
Lafayette County Community Center
150 SW Community Circle
Mayo, Florida

Perry Community Forum
3:00 p.m.
Perry Woman’s Club
502 N Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida

Tuesday, August 18

Blountstown Community Forum
10:00 a.m. CDT
W.T. Neal Civic Center
17773 NE Pear St.
Blountstown, Florida

Bristol Community Forum
2:00 p.m. EDT
Liberty County Courthouse
County Court Room
10818 NW State Road 20
Bristol, Florida

Wednesday, August 19

Marianna Community Forum
10:00 a.m. CDT
Jackson County Agriculture Conference Center
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue
Marianna, Florida

Tuesday, August 25

Crawfordville Community Forum
9:00 a.m.
Wakulla County Senior Citizens Center
33 Michael Drive
Crawfordville, Florida

Quincy Community Forum
2:00 p.m.
William A. “Bill” McGill Library
732 Pat Thomas Highway
Quincy, Florida

Tallahassee Community Forum
6:00 p.m.
City of Tallahassee City Hall
300 South Adams Street
Tallahassee, Florida

Wednesday, August 26

Port St. Joe Community Forum
10:00 a.m.
Robert M. Moore Administration Building Board Room
1000 Cecil G. Costin Blvd.
Port St. Joe, Florida

Apalachicola Community Forum  
1:00 p.m.
Apalachicola Community Center
1 Bay Avenue
Apalachicola, Florida

Friday, August 28

Panama City Community Forum
5:30 p.m.
Amelia Arts Center
Gulf Coast Community College
5230 West Highway 98
Panama City, Florida

Further details will be announced by Congressman Boyd’s office in the coming days.