Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) has been talking in the open about healthcare reform. He accepted a challenge to debate Kenneth Lewis and other Democrats who will be challenging him for his seat in 2010. He also plugged his alternative reform proposal, which, in spite of its merits has been likened to Massachusetts healthcare, in the obscure hamlet of Town – er, rather, town of Hamlet. Wednesday and Thursday, Burr will be making several appearances in Western North Carolina. The following is lifted from his web site:

Wednesday, August 19
9:00 AM
Burr to speak at the North Carolina Veterans Affairs Summer Conference
Renaissance of Asheville
Windsor Room
31 Woodfin Street
Asheville, NC 28801

12:00 PM
Burr to attend Fletcher Rotary Meeting
Fletcher Park Inn
150 Tulip Trl
Hendersonville, NC 28792

2:00 PM
Burr to tour the Technology Education and Development Building at Blue Ridge Community College
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731

4:00 PM
Burr to stop by Transylvania Vocational Services
11 Mountain Industrial Drive
Brevard, NC 28712

Thursday, August 20
7:30 AM
Burr to attend Arden Rotary Club Breakfast
The Orchard at Broadmoor
101 French Broad Lane
Fletcher, NC 28732

10:00 AM
Burr to visit Yancey EnergyXchange
*Anyone wishing to cover this event should contact Heather Dawes (828) 675-5541
66 EnergyXchange Drive
Fletcher, NC 28732

12:00 PM
Burr to attend Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce Lunch
2360 Swiss Pine Lake Dr.
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

3:00 PM
Burr to visit Frye Regional Medical Center
*Anyone wishing to cover this event should contact Eddie Salyards at (828) 315-5852
420 N. Center Street
Hickory, NC 28601