U.S. Rep. Steve Womack's second trip to Bella Vista in six months had a decidedly informal tone despite the serious issues many of his constituents wanted to discuss.
Womack, who represents Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District, was at City Hall Feb. 20 to host "Coffee with the Congressman." He was in town last fall for a similar session.
"I always enjoy returning to Bella Vista," Womack told the overflow crowd of about 50 people.
Aldermen Larry Wilson, Frank Anderson and Becky Morgan also were present, and they sat and listened as Womack fielded questions and complaints for about two hours on everything from President Barack Obama and the national debt to social issues like abortions and homosexuals serving openly in the military.
Womack, while noting the importance of every expressed frustration, said his focus was on reigning in mandatory spending and recapturing the White House for conservatives.
Medicare and Social Security are the two largest mandatory spending programs. Together, they account for nearly half of the federal budget, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a non-profit Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
Womack said that's detrimental to our country's youth. He held up a chart that showed several graphs depicting federal spending, much of which was dominated by mandatory budgets, well into the next decade.
"Something happened at midnight Feb. 19," Womack solemnly told residents. "And when the clock struck midnight, about 11,000 people were added (to Medicare and Social Security). And at midnight tonight, there will be another 11,000."
Womack's statement refers to a report released by the Social Security Association in 2012, which showed that about 10,000 Baby Boomers -- people born between 1946 and 1964 -- retire each day. Thus, a large portion of Americans are becoming eligible for retirement benefits, draining the system.
As far as the social evolution of the country, Womack said he can "read the tea leaves" that the U.S. is changing. But he added that getting a conservative back in the White House to appoint judges would have a significant impact on national policy.
Following his coffee session, Womack was scheduled to tour Bella Vista with Mayor Peter Christie. The goal was to give the congressman an in-depth look at the roads in Bella Vista. But because Coffee with the Congressman ran long, Christie took Womack to Morey's Auto Body on Forest Hills Boulevard.
"(Morey's) is a classic example of when you have responsible business, government and citizens all working together to put a wonderful business along (Arkansas) 279 that did not destroy property values," Christie said.
The body shop opened last summer after a round of fiery complaints from nearby residents.
As far as Womack visiting Bella Vista, Christie said the event was a success.
General News on 02/25/2015