Renita Fenick, left, aide to Rep. Tom Marino, speaks to Tea Party members rallying outside the congressman’s Tunkhannock office, from left, Greg Liggett, Montrose; John Lukach, Towanda; Edna and Bruce Paskoff, Montrose; Al Aronowitz, New Milford; and Loretta and John Daly, Oakland Township. STAFF PHOTO/MIKE RUDOLF
BY MICHAEL J. RUDOLF
About a dozen people identifying themselves with the Tea Party movement staged a rally in front of U.S. Rep. Tom Marino’s office in Tunkhannock on Thursday.
The group of activists said they were rallying in support of the Republican congressman’s opposition to the current federal budget impasse, and the continuing resolution by Congress to keep the federal government operating. They are also pushing for repeal of federal health care legislation that was enacted last year.
The noontime rally was timed to coincide with a similar, larger event in Washington, D.C.
John Lukach of Towanda represented some of those in attendance, members of the Tea Party Patriots of Bradford County. He said they wanted to show Marino that he had support for his positions.
“We’re here as a pro-rally for Marino to vote as his constituents want against Obamacare,” Lukach said.
Others at the rally were from the Susquehanna County organization Northeast Pennsylvania Spirit of 1776.
“The government is out of control. Many people haven’t even figured out that we are broke, broke, broke,” said Bruce Paskoff, a member of that group from Montrose.
Lukach explained that the Tea Party movement is trying to help the national economy by getting the health care legislation revoked. He said by defunding that program, about $105 billion dollars would be returned to the federal coffers.
In addition, Lukach said there are logical flaws in the continuing resolution, which keeps the federal government operating while the budget talks continue.
He said in the current situation, so-called “non-essential” government personnel are laid off to reduce expenses during the budget negotiation procedure.
“If they’re non-essential, what are they doing there in the first place?” Lukach wondered.
“The continuing resolution is not a way to run a government,” Paskoff added.
During the rally, Renita Fenick, Marino’s director of communications, came out to hear what the Tea Party members had to say. She told them the congressman would appreciate knowing he had that kind of support, and would pass on their comments.
Fenick said after the rally, she was able to get Marino on the phone from Washington to speak with those at the Tunkhannock office.
“We pulled him out of a Homeland Security meeting to do it,” she said.
Fenick noted that as a Tea Party member himself, Marino was pleased to have that support.
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