Blue Mountain Community College and the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to host twice-monthly videoconferences with Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) and Rep. Greg Barreto (R-Cove) at BMCC, starting Wednesday, Feb. 6.
This is the third year BMCC and the chamber have partnered to offer these sessions.
The videoconferences will take place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from February through June at 7-8 a.m. in the BMCC Pioneer Hall Boardroom. Hansell and Barreto join the videoconference from Salem, where they’re representing the region in the Legislative Session. The sessions are open to the public, and are an opportunity for citizens to express concerns, address proposed bills, and gain feedback directly from Hansell and Barreto.
“Hundreds of proposed bills cross legislators’ desks over the course of the Legislative Session,” said BMCC Interim President Connie Green. “These videoconferences are so valuable because it gives us the opportunity to let our local legislators know what’s important to us as constituents, and how various proposed bills have an impact on the college. BMCC appreciates the time Sen. Hansell and Rep. Barreto give to us during these videoconferences.”
BMCC officials said that while numerous legislators around the state offer opportunities to check-in throughout the Legislative Session over the phone on proposed bills, Hansell and Barreto are the only ones in the state to offer a regular videoconference.
