MOUNT VERNON — Dick Mavis wanted some answers from his U.S. Representatives. The former Democratic Mount Vernon Mayor waited 45 minutes to share his thoughts on the current federal administration and its impact on Knox County.

While waiting to speak with U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson’s staff, Mavis drew up questions he’d like the U.S. Representative to eventually answer. 

“Some key questions would be what he thinks about the cutting of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and local radio stations,” Mavis said. 

“We’re constantly bombarded with development, other issues involving water, wastewater, so all of a sudden those things will not be immediately available, but overall I think we have to have a better explanation of why we’re cutting this business of just laying off thousands of people.” 

By noon, over 50 people had signed up to speak with Balderson’s staff on Monday.

‘I’ve got deep concerns’

Some waited over an hour inside Mount Vernon City Hall, congregating with others about what they see happening since President Donald Trump took office just over 100 days ago. 

Knox County resident Richard Wunderlin, 72, said he was “tired of watching our Democratic rights being slowly eroded by the current regime.” 

Wunderlin expressed concern that the government will cut Social Security and Medicaid.

“I’m a recipient,” Wunderlin said. “I’ve got deep concerns about those two and what they’re going to do.”

Wunderlin said his mother, who had Alzheimer’s, “wouldn’t have lived as long as she did without the help and assistance of Medicaid. 

“I worry about these people who are being pulled off the street, and the attempts at deportation without any kind of due process are appalling and are unconstitutional and illegal, and that needs to be addressed,” Wunderlin said. 

Out of a job

Jeanne Griggs was sitting outside City Hall, waiting to speak with Balderson’s staff.

Griggs’ daughter-in-law worked for the Department of Agriculture researching controlling pests in apple orchards through a federal grant.

“It wasn’t any kind of political topic,” Griggs said. “And now she’s out of a job. She and my kid are trying to find a place to live and they can’t find any jobs because the federal government has basically gutted science in this country.”

Hope for a reply

Walking up the white stairwell, Mavis said he had a productive conversation with Balderson’s staff. He left City Hall with the same questions he came with and no answers

“I think they came in with the notion they wouldn’t be answering questions. They may not know the answers, but they did record our questions,” Mavis said.

Balderson communication director, Kyle Chance, said the office meets with every county at a bare minimum once a year. Those community sessions also help folks to get in touch with Veterans Affairs and other programs, Chance said.

Despite the absence of answers, Mavis said he’s hopeful he’ll hear back from either Balderson or his staff. 

“That’s why they got your email,” he said. “I did get the sense that they may try to respond to questions that we had. I did ask that question, whether or not Troy had voted against any of the presidential initiatives presented to Congress.

“He didn’t know that.”