Residents of the 9th Legislative District need not travel to meet with Sen. Mark Schoesler on Tuesday, Feb. 18 – except to find a telephone. Starting at 7 p.m. that day Schoesler will host a town hall meeting conducted entirely by phone, using a format the Senate Republican leader sees as ideal for his legislative district.

Many residents will receive reminders by phone just before the meeting begins, inviting them to stay on the line; those wishing to call in directly should dial 877-229-8493 (toll free) and press 17455 when asked.

“It’s always enjoyable to meet in person with the people I serve,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, “but when we’re in session at the Capitol, and the weather is cold and the roads are treacherous, a traditional town-hall meeting at the local school library or the fire hall just isn’t very practical – especially for a district as large as ours, which includes part or all of Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Spokane and Whitman counties.

“A telephone town-hall meeting allows thousands of people to listen to me answer questions, ask their own questions and participate in opinion polls – all from the comfort of their homes. It’s no wonder this approach has proven to be very popular in recent years.”

Lawmakers are nearing the halfway mark of the 2014 legislative session, which is scheduled to end March 13.