This last weekend, Charlie Brown held his 2nd neighborhood BBQ Town Hall in the city of Oroville. The crowd gathered in the Oroville Veterans Hall, a fitting place for a meeting that consisted largely of veterans and their families.
Introducing Charlie was the Mayor of Oroville, Steve Jernigan. Having local officials introduce your candidate is nothing new, but the interesting point about Steve Jernigan is the highly respected Republican Mayor of Oroville. Steve is a sought-after commodity in Republican politics. Everyone from Mitt Romney to John McCain to Ron Paul have sought his endorsement, but only one has been given: to Charlie Brown.
Steve told the gathered crowd about the importance of putting patriotism before partisanship, and how real work gets done by those who are willing to put the country first.
After taking the microphone from Mayor Jernigan, Charlie began to explain his 26-year history in the United States Air Force and his experience as a teacher, Roseville Police Department employee, and the chair of a $5 million credit union.
Most of the question from the crowd revolved around the economy, and one man asked Charlie how more jobs could be brought to Oroville and the rest of the district. Charlie’s answer surprised some: he could get new jobs to the district by pushing for alternative energy.
Under Charlie’s energy plan, thousands of new jobs can be created by transitioning to "green collar" jobs that produce solar, wind and biofuel energy. With a new wind farm being proposed in Lassen County, right here in the district, new jobs can be brought right here to the district. We simply need the leadership to make it happen, and Charlie is the man for the job.
Another question brought up during the town hall revolved around Charlie’s ideas on tax cuts. Charlie explained his view on taxes, promising tax relief for the middle class while pointing out that Tom McClintock’s Auburn Dam would cost tax payers $10 billion. Charlie explained exactly what taxes he would eliminate: the Alternative Minimum Tax, Widow’s Tax for Military Families, and concurrent receipt to name but a few.
More than a few veterans were in the audience, so the conversation naturally turned to military-talk. One veteran, a fellow Vietnam vet, asked Charlie about what changes he would like to see to the VA. Charlie voiced his support for mandatory VA funding, specifically regarding disabled veterans receiving their full benefits. He also again pointed to the Widow’s Tax on military survivor benefits.
The day was full of substance and spirits were high, as Charlie has proven once again that he is the only candidate in this race concerned about serving the needs of the district and having the desire to listen to the voters in California’s 4th Congressional District.
This weekend, Charlie travelled to South Lake Tahoe for the 3rd BBQ Town Hall meeting at Bijou Park. Details from that exciting day are coming soon!