ELGIN, Okla_Fourth district
Congressman Tom Cole's constituents didn't complain about Washington politics today. Their concerns
are much closer to home, the drought and West Nile Virus.
There was no
arguing or heated dialogue today between Congressman Tom Cole and his constituents.
Only assurances he's deeply involved in getting relief from this seemingly
never-ending drought. Cole said the house has already passed legislation to
help farmers and ranchers survive.
"Obviously
nobody can control the weather but there are things we can do to make it a
little bit easier for the men and women that are farming and ranching and have
to deal with this kind of problem. We ought to get those things done."
The $383
million emergency relief package will help but Cole said they need a broader
farm bill and hopes that will happen before September. Another big debate, to
spray or not to spray statewide for West Nile Virus that's already taken three
lives in the state.
"There are
local measures being taken as to whether you spray or not for mosquitoes. That
becomes a big global debate but at the end of the day it's a concern. We've got
folks at the Center for Disease Control that are actually looking at this long
term for cures, but we're in a dangerous season, people ought to take that into
account."
When asked for
his thoughts on the possibility of BRAC base closures, Cole said he was not
worried about any imminent closures coming to Southwest
Oklahoma.
"The President
has thought about recommending BRAC in the future. Congress has no inclination
to take that up. Anytime you go through one of these things, it's very
disruptive, it's very threatening."
Congressman Cole
said he doesn't expect any action until 2014 in reducing our armed forces.
Cole has one
other town hall meeting scheduled in Newcastle
later this week.
