Countywide : GOP Congressmen to Host Town Meeting

Four Orange County Republican congressmen on Saturday will host a town meeting, during which they are likely to bash President Clinton’s economic plan as well as hear from constituents about the job they are doing.

The Orange County meeting is part of a nationwide series of forums that will be held by GOP House members Saturday. The town meetings are a vehicle for Republicans to campaign against the President’s economic package and to promote a GOP alternative.

The participants in Orange County’s meeting are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) and Ed Royce (R-Fullerton).

Saturday’s gathering is the second such meeting the four congressmen have held in Orange County this year. Last April, about 700 people attended a town meeting in Fullerton. The sponsors are expecting a similar number to attend the event Saturday.

The meeting is to be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Forum I building at Golden West College, 15744 Golden West St., Huntington Beach. It is free and open to the public.

“President Clinton’s tax increases will effect everyone in the country and everyone in Orange County,” Rohrabacher said. “This town hall meeting gives me a chance to inform my constituents about what is in the tax package and to seek their opinions about these new economic policies.”

Those in attendance will also be asked to complete a survey that the congressmen will present to Republican leaders in Washington.

The lawmakers are also likely to get some reviews from their constituents about the jobs they are doing.

One group seeking greater deficit reduction called “Lead or Leave” is encouraging people to attend the town meeting and meet their representatives. The group was formed nationwide last year and is opening a new chapter in Orange County. Its leaders have been critical of Orange County’s delegation for not being more aggressive in seeking to reduce the deficit.

“It will be productive . . . if people come away thinking, ‘I’ve got to do something because these people won’t,’ ” said Dave Boufford, one of the organizers.