NEW BERLIN – As a result of his 2009 Community Meeting series, Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R,C,I - Schoharie) is spearheading the formation of new regional Education and Property Tax Reform Committees throughout the seven-county 127th Assembly District with the goal of building community consensus on proposed education and tax reforms. To begin the process, the Assemblyman is inviting all residents to participate in the regional “town hall”-style meeting closest to them.

“Although I travel roughly 1,000 miles a week across the district to stay connected with the community on key issues and priorities, these community meetings will provide me with the opportunity to sit down and have an in-depth conversation with residents on the critical issues of lowering our tax burden without compromising our schools. By bringing the community together to review existing proposals and identify new approaches, we can move toward solving these long-standing issues,” said the Assemblyman, who hopes his committees will include residents from not only schools and tax advocacy groups, but parents, businesses, farmers and residents from all walks of life.

All residents are invited and encouraged to attend any of the three regional meetings. For more information, questions, or to share your ideas in the event you cannot attend, e-mail Assemblyman Lopez at lopezp@assembly.state.ny.us or call one of his regional district offices.

Western Regional Forum: 7 p.m., Aug. 23 at the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium.

Contact Lopez’s Sidney Office: 563-2919.

Middle Regional Forum: 7 p.m., Aug. 30, Golding Middle School Auditorium.

Contact Lopez’s Schoharie Office: (518) 295-7250.

Eastern Regional Forum: 7 p.m., Sept. 1, Catskill Middle School Auditorium.

Contact Lopez’s Catskill Office: (518) 943-1371.