More than 400 people showed up at the Athens Clarke County Library on Tuesday, Mar. 18 hoping to ask questions about what’s happening to the federal government and to talk with Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. Instead, they had to settle for an empty chair with a red MAGA cap on the seat.
Across the country, several Republican Congress members who’ve met in person with their constituents encountered upset people, some of whom disrupted the meetings by shouting their disapproval. Republican leaders said actors and “outside activists” had taken over the meetings and suggested elected officials meet on Zoom.
Those in Athens were orderly and respectful. One woman assured Flagpole, “No one paid me to be here.” They came from across Collins’ 10th District, which stretches from Athens to the deep red metro Atlanta exurbs and rural areas in between.
State Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) moderated the meeting. He drew loud applause when he said he was disappointed that Collins wouldn’t speak with his constituents.
Four people spoke about how their lives and livelihoods have been affected by the slashing of federal funds, jobs and departments and by the proclamations coming from Washington.
After finishing her Ph.D., wildlife ecologist Claire Teitelbaum said she had found her “dream job” last September with the U.S. Geological Survey in the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. She provided research on bird migrations and diseases, including avian influenza, to the USGS, as well as to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and UGA, to help better manage public land. She said she had left a job she liked to do applied research for the federal government—but her job was eliminated. Many who work in natural resources conservation face a similar fate, she said.
Cellular biologist Mark Farmer wanted Collins to say why he’s letting the executive branch run all over the legislative branch: Doesn’t Congress set the budget? He worried about the loss of so many young researchers and scientists and the end of America’s premier higher education system. “Why are you not doing your job?” he asked the absent congressman.
Joel Ringdahl, co-director of UGA’s Center for Autism and Behavioral Education Research, said the budgetary cuts to the National Institute of Health will impact research for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The NIH funds training for those who work with special needs populations, and he’s worried about how services will be interrupted or discontinued.
Abby Horvath served as a military medivac pilot for more than eight years in Iraq and the Northeast sector of Afghanistan. Diversity, equity and inclusion “is a legacy,” she said, while the term “DEI” is used to avoid accountability.
Many of those in attendance then read questions they had written for Collins. Donna Byrum scolded Collins for saying Episcopal Bishop Marian Budde should be deported for telling President Trump to be merciful to people. Alan Brown of Hartwell wondered what Collins is doing to restore democracy. Gail Sheldon said she’s unhappy with the closing of Social Security offices and reducing phone contacts. Frye’s Democratic legislative colleagues, Rep. Ruwa Romman and Sen. Josh McLaurin, answered some of the audience questions.
Organizers of the town hall included Indivisible Georgia 10, Indivisible Boldly Blue and Democratic committees from Oconee and from Clarke counties.
Two days after the library meeting, Collins was scheduled to speak at Paloma Park to the new UGA chapter of Women Lead Right about the Laken Riley Act, with attendance limited to 50 people and registration required beforehand, but the event was canceled after word got out.
Collins’ office said in a statement: “Since joining Congress in January of 2023, Rep. Collins and his staff have hosted a town hall nearly every quarter, including our most recent on February 20th, 2025; brought in over $24M into the district; held over 800 meetings and publicly available events in Georgia’s 10th Congressional District; and have answered 102,895 emails and letters from constituents. Representative Collins, in two years, has passed two bills into law under two U.S. Presidents, under two different parties—getting dangerous fentanyl off our streets and passing the Laken Riley Act, respectively. His commitment to Georgia’s 10th Congressional District and his constituents is unquestionable, regardless of if he [is] unable to attend a rally hosted by Democrat organizations.”
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