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Some constituents press Rep. Collins for meeting

Posted at 9:15 PM, Mar 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-06 21:15:39-05

Some Western New Yorkers are calling on Congressman Chris Collins to hold town hall meetings, but he has said he will not hold one because he believes there are better ways to communicate. One woman tells 7 Eyewitness News that she still can not get a hold of the Congressman.

Sharon Dobkin lives in the 27th congressional district and says she's been getting the run around from Rep. Collins' office since she first tried to schedule a meeting with the congressman in January.

"I would ask how do I get a news letter? And every answer would be things like well you need to go online, and I said well I have requested an online meeting. Then, well you need to write a letter. I have written a letter," said Dobkin.

Michael Caputo is a GOP operative and he believes Rep. Collins has good reason to avoid certain attacks.

"The name of their group is Citizens Against You, and their icons on social media is resist, and they're working with social media accounts that make fun of him, why would Rep. Collins ever agree to meet with these people," said Caputo.

Rep. Collins defended his accessibility -- in a statement he said -- "In the past few days, I've attended events such as a cub scout ceremony and an agriculture dinner in Wyoming County, met with constituents on casework issues, and sat down in my office with group of constituents from the Muslim Public Affairs Council. I will continue to meet with Western New Yorkers and hear their concerns and ideas."