Allegan Residents Voice Concerns at Tea Party Town Hall

ALLEGAN, Mich. (WZZM) - Thousands showed up at Allegan High School to meet Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who grew up in Holland, Mich., for a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, Nov. 14. That meeting was followed by a rally held by the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots.

"If people are frustrated about what's going on in Lansing or if they're frustrated about what's going on in Washington, the power to change Lansing and the power to change Washington is right here," said Hoekstra, who was invited to speak at the event.

The large crowd filled the Allegan High School gymnasium to voice their concerns and ask questions, too.

"We're not Rebel Rousers; we're not trouble makers. We just want facts," said Ron Zeigler, a long-time Allegan resident, who's originally from the east side of Michigan.

The Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots are a group of conservative Americans, who say they oppose big Government.

Similar rallies have been held across the country all year, and Saturday they got a chance to express their concerns to Michigan gubernatorial candidate and congressman Hoekstra.

"It's kinda, like, special to talk to a congressman. It shouldn't be special; it should be ordinary," Hoekstra said. "They should be able to do it each and every day, each and every week."

While some expressed feelings about United States President Barack Obama, others voiced their opinions about issues like the auto industry, the economy and healthcare reform.

"We've gotta start pounding away on (Carl) Levin and (Debbie) Stabenow, our senators, to understand that a lot of things that are in the healthcare plans, presently, are good," said Zeigler. "I pay my share and I'm not asking for anymore. And government run options, I don't understand them completely and 1,992 pages sure as heck isn't going to enlighten me any."

Organizers say, in the end, the important thing is to bring people together.

"It let's people know that we do know what's going on. We pay attention," Zeigler said.

For more information about the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots, visit their web site at http://kzooteaparty.ning.com/