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Congressman Brett Guthrie met with about two dozen Boyle County residents during a community forum Tuesday at Danville city hall.
Guthrie represents Boyle, Mercer, Garrard and Jessamine counties in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The communities became part of the new 2nd District under a redistricting initiative passed last year.
Guthrie, a Republican from Bowling Green, just started his third Congressional term. His past experience includes a decade as a Kentucky state senator.
“Wow, I get to hang out in Danville,” Guthrie said. “That’s going to be a treat.”
Other elected officials in attendance were state Rep. Mike Harmon, a local Republican; Perryville Mayor Anne Sleet and Danville City Commissioner Kevin Caudill.
Guthrie praised Danville and Perryville during the approximately two hours he spent at city hall.
Several audience members asked the congressman to discuss issues such as his stance on prayer during local government meetings, as well as immigration and the economy.
Regarding prayer, Guthrie only mentioned that Congressional sessions begin with prayer.
Recently, Boyle County Fiscal Court switched to a “moment of silence” when Danville resident Ricky Smith insisted magistrates keep church and state separate.
Danville City Commission has not changed its long-standing practice of having people stand and pray at the beginning of meetings.
Immigration is a key issue, and “our system’s failed since 1986,” Guthrie said.
The congressman and several audience members expressed the importance of allowing honest people to come to the United States to work, but at the same time weeding out people involved in terrorism or drug dealing.
“The security of our country and our borders are important,” Guthrie said.
The economy is a major concern for all types of leaders, and “we’ve got to get our budget back in line,” the congressman said.
“The American dream is that your kids will live a better life.”
After the forum, which also offered residents access to Guthrie’s staff members to discuss issues, Guthrie said he plans to conduct more events in Danville, Harrodsburg, Lancaster and Nicholasville.
“My emphasis is that people will have regular access to a member of Congress,” Guthrie said. “Also, my staff and I are just a phone call away.”