In what’s believed to be the first event of its kind for the city, Oak Grove officials hosted a meet & greet for 1st District Congressman James Comer Thursday evening at the Community Center — in which the Oversight Committee ranking member visited with Christian County dignitaries, discussed US involvement concerning Russia/Ukraine tensions, condemned President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions, the need for rural broadband, and deeply discussed bi-partisan, cost-saving postal reform for America’s mail system.
Certainly at the forefront of everyone’s mind: the actions occurring on Eastern Bloc, which oddly enough have a unique tie to west Kentucky and its proud command of the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell.
With some of its units deployed to bordering NATO countries, and others on standby, Comer noted that Congress has “no interest” in putting America’s forces in harm’s way — particularly in the Ukraine.
Multi-faceted and complex, Comer said his personal opinion on Russia’s actions stem from a wide variety of geopolitical notions, including the United State’s reliance on foreign oil and rare Earth metals, Putin’s desire to push back against wealthy Russian oligarchy, Putin’s admiration for the former Soviet Union and its territories, and America’s perceived weakness in its retreat from Afghanistan.
Comer also mentioned that some of President Joe Biden’s opening actions in office — namely his shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline — have likely played a factor, and that the US should be more self-reliant for energy production.
Regardless, Comer called Putin a “bad guy.”
Pivoting to domestic needs, Comer admitted while he didn’t vote in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act from Biden’s office — citing inflation concerns and rising national debt — he knew Kentuckians would benefit from the relief, and hoped municipalities would spend it wisely on things like rural broadband. Comer heard updates on fiber expansion efforts from magistrates Jerry Gilliam and Phillip Peterson.
Postal reform will come in the refitting of package-sorting machines and better efficiency standards, Comer said, in hopes of saving more than $1 billion annually nationwide.
Oak Grove Mayor Theresa Jarvis said she hopes this is the beginning of a strong series of political events for the city, with plans of energizing not only the local voting base, but also instilling confidence that this part of Christian County can be a place of permanency for military families.
Comer spent early Thursday in Elkton, before eventually heading to Murray late Thursday night.
