Protesters: Young Must be Replaced

They have sent letters, called, emailed, went to his office and even approached him in person, but according to the members of the Florida Consumer Action Network, or FCAN, they still have not heard from local U.S. Congressman C.W. Bill Young. 

On Tuesday evening outside a private fundraiser for Young at 900 Park St. N, around two dozen protesters gathered not in hopes of speaking with Young, but to influence others to vote for Young's opponent, Jessica Ehrlich. 

"I don't think we're going to be able to get a response from him," protester Bill Hurley said. "I think the only thing we can do is replace him and put someone in there that will listen to people and what we have to say. 

"A lot of our citizens are apathetic, (so) we'll do it for them," Hurley said of why the group continues protest despite failing to meet Young. "We hope they go to the voting booth in November and replace Bill Young with Jessica Ehrlich."

On Wednesday, Ehrlich released a statement regarding Young and a recent story in the Tampa Bay Times where he claimed he was being stalked and that his home had been burglarized. 

Ehrlich's statement:

"I am deeply relieved to learn Congressman Young and his family have not suffered any physical harm following reports his home has been allegedly burglarized over the past several years. And I have faith the Indian Shores police department will continue their thorough investigation. Following the attack on Rep. Giffords, nothing can be taken lightly."

However, I am disturbed by several comments made by Congressman Young in today's story. The Congressman acknowledged he is 'more on guard' after he was 'recently caught on video' telling a voter who asked him a question about raising the minimum wage to 'get a job'. He also said he is 'not used to this kind of personal treatment' and claimed he was being 'stalked'."

With all due respect to Congressman Young, I think he is confusing voters legitimately inquiring about his stances on important issues with being 'stalkers'. Thousands of Floridians saw the video of Congressman Young telling a young man repeatedly to 'get a job' after he respectfully asked Young a question. Further, Young, in another incident 'caught on video', walked away from a military veteran asking him a question about our treatment of America's returning military heroes."

For Pat Erickson, even if Young decided to speak FCAN, at this point her mind is made up for the Nov. 6 election. 

"Bill Young, we have tried several times to contact him," Erickson said. "We went to his office, he couldn't see us. We wanted to talk to him about minimum wage, we wanted him to talk about the Ryan (budget). We to just talk to him and he never showed up, kind of like he did at the debate. 

"There isn't a whole lot he can say to me to change my mind now because he's turned us down so many time when we've tried to see him," Erickson added. "I think he should retire and enjoy life."