The Mathews historic courthouse was three-quarters full last Thursday, with around 75 people showing up for a meeting with Joe Schumacher, district director for Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montross).

The animated crowd raised a number of issues during the meeting, including Republican threats to do away with the U.S. Department of Education and establish a voucher system, the rollback of environmental regulations such as Congress’s vote to rescind President Obama’s order on coal ash, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, women’s rights, immigration, and the tone and tenor of the current White House.

Bert Cross of Cobbs Creek, who moderated the meeting, said that there were people from across the political spectrum in attendance. The atmosphere remained civil and respectful throughout the more-than-two-hour meeting.

Town hall meeting wanted

Cobbs Creek resident Lynn Jaeger, who organized the meeting, said that her original request had been for a town hall meeting with Wit...