Merkley Announces 100 Towns for Change

Putting Oregonians Before Special Interests

In towns across Oregon, families are ready to change the direction of America by changing the priorities in Washington D.C. It is time to put Oregonians before the powerful special interests.

Today House Speaker Jeff Merkley, candidate for U.S. Senate, announced his 100 Town for Change tour. Born in rural Oregon and the first in his family to go to college, Jeff Merkley comes from a different place than Gordon Smith and fights for very different things. Merkley has spent his life fighting the special interests to create real opportunity for hardworking families and delivering for communities across the state.

For too long politicians like George Bush and Gordon Smith have served only the lobbyists and most powerful special interests, ignoring the needs of hardworking families in every corner of the state.

Because real change in Washington D.C. begins in Oregon, Merkley will travel to 100 towns across the state. Starting in the timber town where he was born, Merkley will meet with hardworking families struggling to pay the bills, workers worried about their jobs being outsourced overseas, and business owners squeezed by skyrocketing health care costs.

From Lincoln City to Baker City, from Milwaukie to Medford, Merkley will travel across Oregon visiting schools, health clinics, factories, and businesses to talk about his plans to create quality jobs; establish universal health care; and make college and technical schools affordable for all families.

In 100 towns across rural and urban Oregon, Merkley will visit with doctors, nurses, teachers, students, law enforcement officers, and other community leaders who are ready to change the direction of America by changing the priorities of Washington D.C.

People across Oregon and across the country can join Merkley on his tour at the campaign's web site, www.jeffmerkley.com. There people can read the campaign blog and see pictures and video from the 100 Towns for Change tour.

The 100 Towns for Change tour will begin this Saturday in Myrtle Creek, where Merkley was born, and continue in Roseburg, where he spent his early years. He will meet with local leaders about restoring timber payments to rural communities and talk with workers and small business owners about plans for universal health care. From there Merkley will travel to Sutherlin, Cottage Grove, and Creswell to meet with families, citizens, veterans, and community leaders about Merkley's plans to change the priorities in Washington D.C.

100 Towns for Change

Town #1: Myrtle Creek
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Meeting with citizens about the rising cost of health care
Peree's Restaurant & Lounge
335 N. Main St., Myrtle Creek

Town #2: Roseburg
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Downtown Roseburg
Meeting with small business owners and others about high gas prices
Corner of Jackson and Douglas Streets

Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.
Chi Garden Restaurant Meeting with local leaders and citizens about timber payments and other important economic issues
528 SE Stephens St., Roseburg

Town #3: Sutherlin
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
White Horse Coffee & Tea Co.
Meeting with community members about global warming and energy independence
960 East Central, Sutherlin

Town #4: Cottage Grove
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.
Meeting with community members about heath care and education
Cottage Grove Relief Nursery
720 North 14th Street, Cottage Grove

Town #5: Creswell
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.
Meeting with community leaders about economic development
Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant
106 W. Oregon Ave., Creswell

Town #6: Fairview
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Meeting with community members and activists about creating jobs
Country Inn
1712 Fairview Dr.

Town #7: Troutdale
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at NOON
Meeting with citizens about high gas prices and the local economy
Troutdale General Store 289 E Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale

Town #8: Boring
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 1:15 p.m.
Meets with community members about climate change and energy independence
Farmers' Market
Hwy 212, between Walley Rd. & Dee St., Boring

Town #9: Sandy
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
Holding a town hall meeting on the war in Iraq and a new G.I. Bill for veterans
VFW Post 4273
38452 Proctor Blvd., Sandy

Town #10: Estacada
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
Talking with community members about restoring fiscal responsibility
Scenes & Beans
264 South Broadway, Estacada

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Posted June 12, 2008
Press, Spotlight