Bean blasts voter gatherings as 'Fake Townhalls'

Just hours before Amelia Island voters gathered Wednesday in Fernandina Beach to voice their concerns over Trump Administration policies, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean issued a statement calling the meeting a "fake town hall."

The second town hall at the Atlantic Recreation Center again attracted a large crowd of concerned voters who voiced their concerns about President Donald Trump's agenda and the involvement of Elon Musk on cutting federal programs.

Bean of Fernandina Beach, who represents the 4th Congressional District, has not met directly with Amelia Island voters to answer questions since Trump took office.

In an email statement issued just before the town hall was to begin, Bean said "I will not be attending any of the fake ‘town hall’ meetings sponsored by the Democrat Party and their cohorts – not today and not tomorrow. I remain committed to being an active and engaged representative that listens to and fights for his constituency. Serving the voters is my most important job as their representative in Congress – one that I take seriously each and every day – but I will not be participating in these Democrat attack rallies falsely billed as ‘town halls.'"

At the first town hall in March organized by Sheila Cocchi, a former local Democratic Party official, Bean issued a video on the social media platform X stating it was “Democrats holding a town hall.”

Cocchi has said there is no involvement of the Democratic Party in the events and all people, regardless of their political affiliation are invited to participate and speak.

Bean conducts monthly telephone town hall meetings, but critics contend the questions are pre-screened and that not all participates are afforded the opportunity to interact with the congressman.

"By the way Bean - I am not a fake, never been a fake - I am an American - a defender of Democracy - never sold my soul for a seat in Congress and turned my back on my country or my constituents. You serve all the people," said local activist Zen Waters on Facebook.

Annie Marie Sinor, a park ranger, spoke at the town hall about her concerns regarding the environment.

"My future is dependent on these politicians. I have reached out to Aaron several times about my concerns over this administration. The EPA is in the biggest deregulation period in history. If these policies move forward the public will definitely be exposed to highly dangerous chemicals linked to cancer, pollution and essential habitats for endangered species will be lost," she said.