Representatives for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Marietta) will hold an open office day from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Monday at the Historic Courthouse.

Marc Fordham, regional director for Northeast Georgia, and Tate Izlar, field representative for this area, will be available to talk to Isakson’s constituents about any federal issues.

“This open office day will help ensure that the views, concerns and local efforts of all Georgians are reflected in the operation of our office,” Isakson said in a press release.

In related news, U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) will hold a community meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., August 27 at Porterdale City Hall, located at 2400 Main St.

The meeting had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, but the U.S. House of Representatives has been called back into session to vote on a $26 billion plan to prevent the layoff of tens of thousands of teachers and other public workers, according to various media sources.
Marshall’s spokesman Doug Moore said Marshall will briefly talk about issues like health care and illegal immigration before devoting the majority of the time to taking audience questions.

Moore said Marshall makes it a priority to visit Newton County on a regular basis, because Newton is a larger metro county and its been underrepresented in previous years.

“When we got Covington and Newton County, when they became part of our district, one thing we did straight away was travel to the area to introduce ourselves,” Moore said.

In 2005 Newton County was one an “orphan counties, those counties that were switching between districts, Moore said. In addition, Newton County is split between two congressional districts, further adding confusion.

“People may not be represented as well because elected officials would no longer represent them. One of the things that your editor told me was that you had not had the representation you wanted in the past,” Moore said. “We were committed to being there as often was we could and making sure they have a member of Congress who cares about them…to be honest with you, we don’t even recognize the split in the county. We represent the whole county.”

According to a City of Porterdale official, the capacity of Porterdale City Hall is about 60 people.