On Monday, August 22, I was privileged to speak to several dozen people at the Hazleton Senior Citizens Center. I spoke about what we're doing in Washington. I answered questions. And I addressed a group of protesters who tried to disrupt the event.

This forum was free and open to the public.

Six days later, the Pocono Record accused me of "agreeing only to functions where those attending must pay to attend."

This is an outrageous lie, and dozens of senior citizens, representatives of the media who attended, and even the protesters can prove it.

I have never refused to meet in free, open forums. I do not charge constituents to hear me speak.

Since I took office eight months ago, I have held four "town hall meetings" — including one in Stroudsburg, which the Record covered. I also held a joint public forum with my colleague, U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, from the 10th Congressional District.

In eight months, I have held nine roundtable meetings with local experts — including those from Monroe County — in various sectors, including education, higher education, small business, labor, health care, health care administration, and agriculture.

Full story: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110906/NEWS04/109060315