Recently, thousands of residents of Pennsylvania’s 12th Legislative District received a very glitzy, shiny mailing from their Rep. Daryl Metcalf announcing three meetings to which they were invited.

It does seem these open meetings held by Metcalf are much more frequent as we get closer to Election Day. That leads some to conclude that these are not official constituent information activities but are campaign events designed to make it appear that he is listening to the wishes of his constituents.

For someone who refuses to meet with representatives of groups that oppose his positions on various issues, this proliferation of open meetings is curious. If these meetings in fact are part of Metcalf’s re-election campaign, we must ask Metcalf who is paying for the design, production and mailing of these fancy fliers?

I would bet if you asked him and he answered honestly the answer would be that you paid for them through your taxes. More curious is that the use of taxpayer money, to fund what to me clearly are campaign events, is coming from someone who: votes against funding the transportation bill which will make our roads and bridges safer; opposes adequate funding of our schools so they can provide the best possible education for our children; won’t support funding for people who have been put into poverty by the Recession. He is more than willing to have your tax dollars pay for him to suddenly decide to meet with constituents only weeks before the election but opposes any taxpayer funding for essential services for his constituents.

He needs to be given his walking papers. Do you want this man representing you in Harrisburg again next year? I know I don’t.