Clawson meets with constituents at military museum
U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson is spending the next week in Southwest Florida listening to concerns and discussing current events with constituents.
The Republican lawmaker started his tour Monday by visiting the Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library in Cape Coral, where he found a receptive group of veterans who asked questions related to their plight and other topics.
Clawson, who was also at the museum for Patriot Day events, took a few general questions before going around the room and speaking with residents either one-on-one or in small groups, where he discussed everything from refugees to cars to football.
Joe Lentini of the South Cape started by asking about what Washington can do to stop the seemingly increasing numbers of police officers being gunned down in the line of duty, such as grants to put a second officer or deputy in the car.
“Active conversation is going on, not only in D.C., but we’ve had discussions about it as recently as Saturday with Sheriff Mike Scott, so we hear you,” Clawson said.
Other residents asked Clawson questions concerning bringing 10,000 refugees from Syria and how they would be vetted to keep people safe and if anything would be done for the Christians who live there.
They also asked about the Iran treaty, Planned Parenthood, health care for veterans and other topics.
No matter what the concern. Clawson said he would vote in a conservative manner.
“Are you all happy that I vote conservative? I can assure you that, as in the past, I will vote conservative. I don’t take money from specials interests. I’m not here for a career. I’m here to advance America by being part of conservative solutions,” Clawson said.
Lisa Cohen, who brought her newborn son, Jackson, said Clawson has done a good job earning her trust after being tough on him during.
“Curt is a great guy. He’s very conservative. I’m very skeptical of anyone new going into office. They make promises and you see they lie,” Cohen said. “I can honestly say he has not let me down.”
Following his open forum, Clawson got together with small groups and individuals to discuss issues important to them.
Matthew Stieg, president of Edison Innovators Association, a group that supports local inventors, came with a small group of fellow inventors to speak with Clawson about a bill (HR9) that could make it difficult for small businesses to gain, hold and protect their own patent from a large business.
“He’s one of our advocates. The legislation is dangerous because it makes them financially involved if a patent is challenged and it makes a patent easier to challenge by a large company,” Stieg said. “He’s against the legislation. Unfortunately, there are others who are not.”
Eunice Rofsky talked about the refugees. She wanted to see a program along with the churches where families would sponsor those who are Christian and Jewish.
“I think he’s awesome. He’s fair, a human being who’s concerned about others. He went to Washington with his own principles,” Rofsky said.
Ralph Santillo, founder of the Invest in America’s Veterans Foundation, which runs the museum, was happy to have Clawson ask to come speak.
“We always agree to have him come here. He’s a good supporter for us and we’ve known him since he took office,” Santillo said. “We lucked out by having him. We like that because it gives our veterans a chance to get their issues out directly.”