U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman held a heated town hall Thursday night with community members vocal the entire time he stood in front of the group.
The congressman came out for a one hour question and answer session with the community at Ellison Place in Gaylord.
9 & 10’s Blayke Roznowski and photojournalist Noah Jurik were there through the chaos and talked to Bergman.
"We’re seeing a lot of folks. I mean every chance we get we’re stopping," Bergman said.
One of those stops Thursday was in Gaylord for a rowdy town hall of a few hundred people.
Before Congressman Bergman even took the stage, the crowd was chanting during an opening prayer.
Some of the congressman’s answers were met with cheers.
"I’m not going to do anything that’s going to jeopardize the quality of that water," Bergman said.
While other responses were clearly protested.
"As part of that tax reform will also probably be to tackle the crazy, extremely high corporate tax rate we have that drives corporations away," Bergman said.
Others got a mixed review.
"I don’t support the funding for planned parenthood and that funding is going to be taken from them and be given to community health clinics," Bergman said.
Bergman supporters were shocked by the atmosphere at the town hall.
"Unfortunately people want to go to chaos and there’s, you know, you can yell and scream, but you have to look at solutions," Shelley Wnuck from Alcona County said.
While many of those who opposed Bergman were also not happy with the crowd reactions, they were still hoping to hear more.
"He was always wanting to wait to see what the bill would say which I understand, but I really kind of wanted to know his views," Faith Hershiser from Antrim County said.
Bergman says the first hundred days have been a big learning curve.
"The president and I share something in common. We both have our first hundred days in office," Bergman said. "From going from no governing experience, but yet business leadership experience."
He left the crowd with one final remark.
"We may disagree, but I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to do the best I can for you," Bergman said.
The congressman will be in the district until next week.
© 2023 - 910 Media Group
