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PLATTSBURGH — Response to a town hall meeting on state government has been so strong that organizers had to find a new venue.
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey hopes the interest is the beginning of real reform for the state.
"Change is going to start with people who show up," Duprey said.
"They've had enough, and that message needs to get out across the state."
Duprey (R-Peru) and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) will host a town hall meeting tonight at 5:30 at 130 Arizona Ave. on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base to hear thoughts on holding a constitutional convention.
The meeting was originally planned for the conference room at Plattsburgh International Airport, but with more than 80 people planning to attend, a larger venue was needed.
"I am delighted with the response, and we need to hear what the people have to say," Duprey said. "There may be some good ideas that come out of this that we haven't thought of."
A similar meeting will be held in Glens Falls this morning with Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro) hosting.
A constitutional convention would feature three representatives from each Senate district and 15 at-large representatives who are elected to the convention.
The representatives would study the constitution and offer changes that would make government more responsive.
Duprey said there are a host of issues with the constitution that need to be addressed.
"Things as simple as the succession of offices, and that process needs to be spelled out," she said.
The state stumbled through a difficult period earlier this year when business in the Senate was stalled for about a month as a leadership squabble dragged on.
Gov. David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor also brought controversy as opponents argued the governor did not have the authority to appoint a lieutenant.
The Court of Appeals eventually upheld Paterson's appointment.
Voters will have the ultimate say in whether a constitutional convention will be held.
"People have to understand that it will be a long process, but we want to escalate it," she said.
"And we want to hear from the average citizens who will look at things from a non-government stature."
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
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