Area Residents Speak, Putnam Listens

By Mitch Traphagen

mitch@observernews.net

SUN CITY CENTER - With a stop in Sun City Center on April 16, Congressman Adam Putnam has continued his tradition of holding town hall meetings with his District 12 constituents. As a result of redistricting, Putnam now represents a sizeable portion of Hillsborough County including Sun City Center and parts of Ruskin.

Although the predominantly Republican Sun City Center would normally be considered friendly territory to the relatively conservative Putnam, residents did not hesitate to challenge the Congressman on issues they felt were important.

Those issues included opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil production and other environmental issues as well as topics involving the economy, taxes and the federal budget.

In terms of oil production, Putnam did voice support for finding means of alternative energy but also reminded the audience that having lights at night and cars to drive currently depend on having oil. "As much as we would like to lessen our dependence on oil, at least for the medium term, that's not a viable option," he said.

Many in the audience, however, expressed concerns about drilling in the wildlife refuge.

Putnam also discussed two issues of importance to most Sun City Center residents: Social Security and Medicare reform. He mentioned the future challenges to both programs as the number of recipients increase in relation to the number of contributors.

Putnam expressed some frustration that more isn't being done to protect and preserve the programs.

"The longer we wait, the more expensive it becomes, the more painful it becomes," he said referring to ensuring the survival of the programs. "Congress is pretty good about waiting until the last minute to do things," he added.

Putnam's candor in placing responsibility not only on the opposing party but also on his own political party seemed to clearly be appreciated by the audience.

The Congressman, currently in his second term, was elected in 2000 with 57 percent of the vote.

He currently serves on four committees, Agriculture, Budget, Government Reform and Joint Economic and is one of the few house members to hold four committee assignments. Additionally, he was appointed Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census for the 108th Congress.

Elected at the age of 26, Putnam is the youngest member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is married and has two children.

Putnam encourages District 12 residents to contact his office with concerns and ideas. He may be reached by email at adam@mail.house.gov, by phone at (866) 534-3530 or by mail at 506 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515.