Rep. Andrew Garbarino reschedules virtual town hall to April 7

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) is expected to host a town hall in April after postponing one scheduled Monday evening, he said in an emailed statement.

Garbarino, who represents the 2nd Congressional District along a stretch of Long Island's South Shore, will be the third member of Long Island’s congressional delegation to host a town hall this year, following similar virtual events held this month by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove).

Garbarino's virtual town hall will now be April 7 with a time to be determined. A spokesperson for the congressman told Newsday earlier this month the town hall would be March 24. Some constituents told Newsday they were frustrated trying to confirm details on the original date, which did not appear on the congressman's website or social media feeds. 

In a statement to Newsday Tuesday, Garbarino said his office rescheduled because of a "small group member meeting with [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson" that was called the same time as the virtual town hall.

"[T]o make sure the town hall wasn’t cut short and I have time to answer as many questions as possible, I’ll be holding it on April 7," Garbarino added in his statement. 

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) announced she would host an in-person town hall in April, but the time and date are not yet solidified, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

Patricia Patsy of Holbrook said she signed up through Garbarino’s website for his virtual town halls. When she never received information on the March 24 event, she said she reached out to his offices in Patchogue and Washington, D.C. She said she was advised that March 24 was not listed on the website and the offices had no information.

She said in an interview with Newsday she has been eager to hear Garbarino’s stance on a number of topics.

"He’s been kind of pretty silent about his opinion of things," she said.

A spokesperson for Garbarino said Tuesday constituents can continue to sign up through the website for information on town halls and his office has "been in touch with those who have expressed interest."

The House Speaker earlier this month encouraged Republican lawmakers to skip town halls and expected angry crowds, echoing a President Donald Trump claim that "professional protesters" were responsible for disruptions, according to The Associated Press.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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