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Bonamici gave a general overview of issues that surfaced at other town hall meetings, ranging from healthcare and immigrant family separations, to the environment, Social Security, Medicare and the Trump administration.

Bonamici began by explaining her view on healthcare, a topic she said many are worried about. "I'm interested in strengthening access to health care, not taking it away," she said. "We need to work together to find a way to make sure that people have access to health care."

Bonamici, a Democrat, held the meeting as part of a swing through the district she represents, Oregon's First Congressional District in the northwestern part of the state. After being introduced by Banks Fire Chief Rodney Linz — the meeting was held at the Banks Fire District's station in downtown Banks — she talked for a few minutes about her legislative priorities before taking questions from constituents.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat from Beaverton, helped secure a $400,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to perform cleanups at the former gas station and a nearby brownfield site.

"We know that because of the (population) growth and the Cascadia subduction zone, we need to prepare for those emergencies and the eventual earthquake," Bonamici said. "We need to have our police force and emergency managers have the tools and have them in a seismically sound building."

Bonamici discussed the Family Case Management Program, a pilot program created in 2016 that aimed to keep families seeking asylum together. Former President Barack Obama created the program in response to a refugee crisis in Central America, and it was shut down last year.

"A lot of them are seeking asylum for religious persecution," Bonamici said. "Isn't that what United States is about?"

Visitors flocked to the Heights Elementary School in Seaside Saturday for a groundbreaking and celebration of the new campus construction project.

"What a great day for Seaside!" State Sen. Betsy Johnson said. "You guys have laid down an example not only for this town, but Clatsop County and this state in preparedness and visionary determination to bring this to a conclusion. Today's the start. We'll be back when we open the doors and cut the ribbon."