Brown criticized for being arrogant, unresponsive

Two letters in the Myrtle Beach Sun News this week criticize Rep. Henry "Pyro" Brown for being arrogant and unresponsive.

In a letter posted Monday, writer Daniel DiMingo commented about Brown trying to get out of a fine after accidentally setting fire to 20 acres of national forest:

Brown tried to excuse his actions by stating that he was acting as an ordinary citizen when he attempted to bully his way out of paying what he owed. Two Forest Service employees have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, saying Brown threatened closer congressional scrutiny of Forest Service programs. Now, Brown says he will pay the fine but mentions nothing about paying the damages.

Where do our elected officials get such arrogance? If Brown doesn't think the U.S. Forest Service's current regulations are fair, he is in a perfect position, as a U.S. congressman, to address the situation. Until the law is changed, however, Brown needs to accept his responsibility and pay up.

In an Oct. 6 letter, Web Williams of Myrtle Beach complained that Brown had done
nothing to help move a bill that would bolster efforts by ham-radio operators to
serve as communications links in times of national emergencies, such as 9/11:

Unfortunately, my own 1st District congressman, Rep. Henry Brown, R-Hanahan, has not lifted a finger to help. In fact, in response to my correspondence, he will not even tell me his position on this bill.

Perhaps public disclosure of his current unresponsiveness in this newspaper will motivate Brown to co-sponsor H.R. 1478 and support its inclusion in the Sept. 11 commission bill. I certainly hope so.