In the midst of a constitutional crisis, inside the picturesque Barn Resort set against the rolling hills of one of America’s greatest battles, Gettysburgians gathered for The People’s Town Hall. With over 215 confirmed in attendance, the townspeople listened to Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-PA181) describe the dismantling of our Democracy, then shared their own concerns. Clearly absent were the elected legislators who actually represent the concerned citizens of Adams County and other parts of Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District – Congressman John Joyce, M.D.(R-PA-13), Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). Graciously acknowledging Senator Fetterman’s absence due to recent health issues, The People’s Town Hall committee, chaired by Dr. Bettye F. Baker, who gave the opening remarks, presented empty chairs for the legislators as none had responded to multiple invitations over the last three weeks, but name signs for Congressman Joyce and Senator McCormick only.
In addition to Dr. Baker, The People’s Town Hall committee members Dr. Jane Hyde, Dick Shoap,(retired) Esq., Pat Shoap, Esq., Scott Bucher, Lois Starkey, Diane Frenette, Lorraine Phillips, Warren Steen, Evelyn Steen, and I, Beth Farnham, managed to hold what their elected legislators have denied them repeatedly – an in-person public Town Hall to discuss important issues. In this pivotal moment in history, the issues are grave and far-reaching – from the illegally-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, that has decimated trusted federal institutions through impoundment of congressionally-approved funds and unjustified firings of federal workers, to outright corruption of the Trump Administration (his Bitcoin bribe being just one element), to the lack of due process regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations, to unsecure Signal chats, and threats to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, just to name a few.
With clear messaging, though frequently punctuated by technological glitches during her appearance via video-conference, fourth term Congresswoman Dean described the crisis from a federal perspective as “not normal”. Reminding the audience that “In this first hundred days [of this administration],…we have been inundated with lawlessness, a disregard for the Constitution, incompetence, grave uncertainty, corruption, criminality. In his first 11 weeks, President Trump has lost this country 11 trillion dollars in wealth…”. In response to various points of her speech, many audience members enthusiastically waved purple cards in the air, signaling their agreement, as advised to do by emcee Dick Shoap. In something akin to a civics lesson, Congresswoman Dean reiterated the role of Congress to “control the purse” of the government. As a member of the US House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Dean noted that committee’s responsibility to send appropriations bills to the US President for his signature and that the process “doesn’t work the other way around.” “President Trump is trying to claim Article One’s power and [instead] legislature through Executive Order” she summed up.
Referencing Congressman Joyce, Congresswoman Dean also noted that if he and just a few other Republican House members would vote along with her and other Democrats, they could collectively “stand up for the Rule of Law.” She labeled the 4 C’s of her understanding as to how to solve the crisis – Congress, the Courts, Citizens, and Calling out the “appalling silence of good people.” She encouraged the town hall attendees to “please continue to show up to volunteer” and likened this time to the difficult days in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg by referencing President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “…highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that the government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from this earth.”
Congresswoman Dean then answered questions from the audience.
After Congresswoman Dean left the video-conference, Dick Shoap introduced Representative Malcolm Kenyatta who addressed the crowd in person with the empty chairs of the elected legislators as his backdrop. With a deftness in public speaking unmatched by most elected oifficials, Representative Kenyatta referenced his speech on the grounds of Gettysburg battlefield in a bid for the senate seat that Senator Fetterman ultimately won, and stated, “Democracy requires something of us…it require[d] something of those brave men on that field that day that sacred ground where folks had to literally take up arms to protect this fragile experiment and self-governance.” Underscoring the history of the US Constitution, Representative Kenyatta noted, “it’s the job of every generation to make sure that those words actually mean something in our lifetime that’s our responsibility and it’s our responsibility certainly in this moment to say no to a guy who thinks he’s going to be a king.” Like with Congresswoman Dean, the audience members waved their purple cards in the air to signal their agreement, but unable to contain their enthusiasm, they frequently erupted in bursts of applause and cheer in response to the representative’s speech. His comments about Congressman Joyce’s absence rang particularly true as the congressman had not only failed to appear at the Town Hall, but had cancelled his confirmed attendance at the legislative breakfast held by the Adams County Republican Committee that took place that same morning.
After noting the harm of the Trump Administration to various groups of American people, Representative Kenyatta then listed his reasons for being a Democrat, which was unsurprising given that he also holds the position of Vice Chair to the Democratic National Committee. The representative then remembered the many ways during his childhood that his family received support through programs that had been initiated by Democrats and Democratic ideals such as “public school that is fully funded…family sustaining job…retir[ing] with a level of dignity and decency,…food on the table.” Referencing coal miners, which is quite correct for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District that includes Johnstown, a former coal mining town, Representative Kenyatta reminded audience members of coal laborers who, not even speaking the same language, assembled and struck, until coal barons agreed to better working conditions. In referencing the Trump administration, he stated, “…these folks are not going to win.” Representative Kenyatta admonished the audience on not “talking to the people you already knew,” but to listen to neighbors describe their fears and worries over the current administration.
He advised the townspeople to “…demand better and different from the people who are supposed to represent you and if we are lucky and you all continue to do this work after today we can have a congressman whose name is not Representative Joyce.”
The People’s Town Hall was a nonpartisan, non-campaign event. But now, let me, Beth Farnham, respond to the question Representative Kenyatta left us with as your Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. I have refiled (you can still find my campaign at www.bethfarnhamforcongress.com) to run against Congressman Joyce in the 2026 election and I am currently working to hold him for his failure to serve the people of his district.
If there is a fault from The People’s Town Hall, let it be that we didn’t hear enough from The People. After Representative Kenyatta spoke, various members of the audience were invited to the two microphones to relay what was on their hearts and minds. Both lines, almost ten people deep, belied a strong desire to share how Trump’s second term was harming them or someone they knew. David and Judy Young spoke of the cuts to USAID funding and personnel, Mark Cochran shared the uncertainty for National Park Service rangers who had been fired, then rehired in a manner that was directly contrary to the efficiency DOGE keeps trying to claim. Yeime Bautista spoke of the pain of losing her child to cancer, but her gratitude to the National Institute of Health that provided treatment and hope through those dark times, yet is now on the chopping block of this administration. A few more people spoke with heartfelt concerns, but because of time constraints, the event had to end before the constituency could voice their concerns.
However, I will hold Town Halls around our 13th Congressional District in which I will campaign, but more importantly, will also provide much more time for The People to speak. Because if there’s anything I know, it is that our elected leaders work for us, not the other way around. And so, it is absolutely correct that we continue to assemble peacefully, to redress our grievances with the government whether our elected leaders attend or not, because the power of our government has always rested with us, The People, and we #ChooseDemocracy.
See you soon,
Beth Farnham for Congress