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A visit by U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, brought more than a dozen city officials and local business people to Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Invited guests interested in hearing how national policy has affected Davidson County exchanged questions and answers with Foxx during an hour-long lunchtime meeting. Foxx – who represents a district that includes a very small part of northern Davidson County – spent most of her time in the Chair City railing against the federal government, in large part criticizing the Affordable Care Act.

Jane Murphy, newly elected councilwoman and community engagement manager for Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center, prompted the most direct critique from Foxx, however, with a question regarding the process of demolishing abandoned buildings. Murphy asked Foxx if she was aware of any measures that could be taken to receive aid from the federal government to defray exorbitant costs of demolishing empty Thomasville furniture factories.

Foxx said she was unaware of any such assistance, but said she understood the frustration of Thomasville and other cities that are inundated with unusable structures that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars simply to be torn down. She attributed this cost to regulations dictated by the EPA.

“It's very expensive now to tear down buildings and dispose of them, because of the rules and regulations, generally by the EPA,” Foxx said. “It's an agency that's totally out of control, in my opinion.”

Foxx also spoke directly to representatives of NewBridge Bank, sympathizing that the banking industry is heavily regulated. In an all-inclusive statement, she attempted to encompass her concerns regarding national politics.

“What I have focused on since I have been in Washington, and again what most of my colleagues on my side of the aisle are focused on, is how can we make the economy better,” Foxx said. “How can we get the federal government out of your way, how can we make life better for the people of the country – not worse, not more regulations, not increasing burdens, but doing what we can to make things better.”

Among the proposals she made, Foxx said taking the responsibility of healthcare from the federal government and putting in the hands of states and individuals would allow for better coverage. She suggested the modern interpretation of the Constitution does not resemble the vision she believes founders had for the nation.

As a result, she said the role of the federal government does not leave room for input from the citizens affected.

“There are a lot of problems that are created in Washington for individuals and small businesses in the country, and that’s not the way it should be,” she said. “Washington should not be throwing roadblocks up for people. We should be making the way as smooth as possible.

“The federal government’s number one job is to defend the nation. Everything else can be done at the state and local level and by the individuals.”

Members of Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center, including TMC President Kathie Johnson, seemed impressed by Foxx's remarks and expressed their appreciation for her concern with medical care in the country.

“The part I heard was very informative, about her plans and how she sees the future. I really appreciated her coming and speaking to us today,” Johnson said. “I listen to the news, I consider myself well-informed, but still I learned a lot today from listening to her.”

http://www.hpenews.com/tvilletimes/chamber-of-commerce-hosts-rep-foxx/article_981ecca4-8d59-11e5-a390-ef94f7a81c31.html