Woolsey: No chaos expected at health forum

<p>A town hall meeting Monday in Petaluma on overhauling health care is expected to draw hundreds of North Coast residents eager to join the national debate.</p><p>But there is little sign the forum at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall organized by Rep. Lynn Woolsey will be marked by the chaos and venom that has disrupted similar forums across the country.</p><p>Liberal groups are planning a strong turnout for the 6 to 8 p.m. event, staged in the middle of the 6th Congressional District encompassing all of Marin County and most of Sonoma County.</p><p>“I don't think people will start a brawl,” Woolsey said in a phone interview. “That just isn't our district.”</p><p>The eight-term Democrat surprised many people when she announced this week she would hold the public session to answer questions and solicit views on health care.</p><p>A champion of a public option for health insurance, Woolsey's outreach on the topic was limited mostly to a one-hour telephone conference earlier this month and a forum at The Sea Ranch, on the northern Sonoma County coast. On Saturday, she spoke at a Sonoma rally that drew about 300 people.</p><p>She had seemed unmoved by critics who accused her of avoiding controversy and being unconcerned about constituents' views. </p><p>But Wednesday she joined other lawmakers around the country to announce health forums in the last week of the congressional recess. </p><p>The Petaluma meeting, she said, will “continue the dialogue on this important topic.” </p><p>“I never said I wouldn't have one,” Woolsey said.</p><p>Woolsey said she expects dissenting views in a district of more than 780,000 constituents, but no shouting matches or fist-fights.</p><p>The former Petaluma City Councilwoman said she wasn't planning security measures, but managers of the public building with a capacity of 675 people insisted on it, she said.</p><p>Petaluma police will do the honors, she said.</p><p>She'll open with brief remarks, take questions from the audience and listen to opinions.</p><p>Auditorium managers said Woolsey's office requested a theater-style seating arrangement with benches pulled out from the wall, looking down on a stage.</p><p>“I think for sure people are going to come and disagree with what's going on in Washington and what they think is happening,” Woolsey said. “I will be glad to tell them what in reality is happening. I won't try to convince anyone of my perspective. But I will certainly listen.”</p><p><NO1><NO>Political advocates were lining up on both sides for the event.</p><p>David Walls, a coordinator for the west Sonoma County branch of liberal MoveOn.org, said e-mails were going out to as many as 10,000 people urging them to come.</p><p>Walls said he participated in Woolsey's “tele-town hall,” but was looking forward to seeing her in person. He said he expects minor demonstrations from opponents.</p><p>“There could be a few free-lance conservatives who just turn up there,” Walls said. “But there doesn't seem to be a major organized effort at this point.”</p><p>Bonnie Allen of the slow-growth group Petaluma Tomorrow said rumors were flying that anti-overhaul activists would try to upset the meeting. She said Woolsey allies would be there to counter them.</p><p>“I suspect the meeting will be very full,” Allen said. “People will be out in the halls. And there will be people who try to shout (Woolsey) down.”</p><p>Michael Erickson, chairman of the Sonoma County Republican Party, didn't return calls seeking comment Friday.</p><p>Matt Heath, a leader with the county's Republican Liberty Caucus, said the short notice might prevent some people from coming. However, he said it will be a worthwhile discussion about a topic that has people on edge, even on the liberal North Coast.</p><p>He hopes Woolsey and others will be open to other views.</p><p>“Folks may disagree with her and I am one of them,” Heath said. “But I think if enough people are speaking out, she would certainly want to listen to them.”</p>