Retired Air Force member JD Baily from Thorsby ask Congressman Gary Palmer questions about the current state of our government and concerns about the level of training provided for our military. (Photo by Keith McCoy)

Residents of Chilton County were given the opportunity to raise questions and here from Congressman Gary Palmer, who represents Alabama’s sixth district, during a town hall meeting on Wednesday.

Palmer spoke to residents in attendance about his plan and how he sees the country moving forward into the future.

He mentioned the importance of the United States using the natural gas and oil resources available to help with the economy by exporting to Europe and elsewhere internationally.

“You’ve got to be honest about what we’re encountered with, and what all it will take to overcome it,” Palmer said.

Palmer used the events that took place in 1979 to help explain how history can change in a hurry and a decade is a “blink of an eye” in historical terms.

That year, gas was being rationed, unemployment and inflation affected the nation, and the Soviet Union was expanding throughout the world and appeared to have an edge in the Cold War.

However, at the same time Margaret Thatcher was being elected Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ronald Reagan was running for president. Almost a decade later, the landscape of the world completely reversed.

“Greatness requires something,” Palmer said. “We argue and fuss, but when push comes to shove, we’ve got things done together.”

Prior to the town hall meeting, Congressman Gary Palmer socialized at Senior Connection. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

Steven Miles, representative with the Lake Mitchell Home Owners and Boat Owners Association, was one of a handful of residents who took advantage of the question and answer portion of the event.

Miles was seeking support from Palmer concerning the Army Corps of Engineers and living shoreline bank stabilization, which will expose the sea walls.

“We like our sea walls and it seems to keep the land from washing away,” Miles said. “We’ll work with you, but I live there along with a lot of other people. This is not the way we want to go about this matter.”

According to Miles, the association has contacted its local representation with the hope of having a voice in finding a resolution.

“It’s not just a localized area, because when you’re dealing with waterways the whole state is affected,” Miles said. “It could be a pond in someone’s backyard.”

Prior to the town hall meeting, Palmer stopped by for coffee and snacks at Senior Connection.

There he met with some of the members of Senior Connection and spoke to them, further reiterating what he would expand on in the town hall setting that followed.

Palmer mentioned the hospital and the avenues that it will open up for Chilton County and the surrounding areas.

According to Palmer, a major focus of his time in congress has been spent dealing with the economic development in the district as well as the national issues at hand.

“I typically don’t give long speeches,” Palmer said. “I’d rather hear from people than to talk to people. It took me a while to figure out, but you learn a lot more when you’re listening.”