Kay Hagan brings 'Conversations' to area

Sen. Kay Hagan walked into the room. Cleveland County residents sat at rectangular tables at the Life Enrichment Center in Shelby.

After a brief introduction, Hagan, D-N.C., didn’t stand for long.

She sat down at each table. With her hands folded, the conversations began.

“I want to know what you want me to do so I can take it back to Washington,” Hagan told the audience. “I need to hear first from local people.”

The senator hosted “Conversations with Kay” for her Cleveland County constituents. The personal, small-group chats across the state allow the senator to hear North Carolinians’ worries.   

Shelby High School students from the Cleveland County chapter of Young Democrats North Carolina attended the event. Around seven students discussed same-sex marriage legislation and education with Hagan.

Senior Nick Carpenter said Hagan told students that the work she does is for future generations.

“It’s good they come back and take what we say into consideration,” sophomore Laney Schenck said about politicians. 

A Shelby native, Hagan joined the U.S. Senate in 2009, serving on four senate committees, including Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Martha Bailey came to the event with her husband. Bailey, from Shelby, is a member of the local Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

She said her husband is a Korean War veteran.

Bailey spoke about her worry regarding the livelihood of veterans. She said someone needs to care.

 “My heart won’t let me accept a veteran on the street,” she said. “They should be taken care of. “

Bailey said she felt comfortable talking to Hagan. She compared the conversation to chatting with a next-door neighbor.