NORWICH – Around 40 residents from across the county met with Congressman Richard Hanna yesterday for an open forum held at the Norwich Fire Department on East Main Street. Following the approximately 45 minute session, many of those in attendance had an opportunity to sit down face-to-face with the Congressman behind closed doors.

A number of topics were touched on during the open forum, including state hemp regulations, the plight of local dairy farmers, veteran’s benefits and the country’s ongoing presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet one topic overshadowed a significant portion of the gathering, as a small group of Norwich Tea Party Patriots peppered Congressman Hanna with questions and demands concerning the nation’s debt ceiling and its potential increase.

Norwich Tea Party Patriots Coordinator Gilda Ward said the Tea Party – on the local, regional and state levels – are firmly against raising the debt ceiling “under any circumstances.” Instead, she and her fellow patriots would like to see the federal government reduce spending dramatically.

As Ward, said, at this point, “We’re just increasing the pain.”

Michael Kicinski, a resident of Earlville and part of the Norwich Tea Party’s coordinating team, said the debt limit is there for a reason and any increase to it would only lead to an increase in spending.