EYANA ADAH MCMILLAN - The York Dispatch

Updated: 10/28/2011 02:48:30 AM EDT

Phil Harrison describes himself as a liberal Democrat. After attending U.S. Rep. Todd Platts' town meeting, Harrison said he'll have no problem voting for the Republican congressman.

"At this point, we don't need to vote for the Democrat or the Republican, but for somebody to get something done," said Harrison, 59, of Spring Garden Township. "I did research on Platts, and I can trust he'll do what's best for his country."

Harrison and more than 70 other people attended Platts' town meeting held Thursday at Red Lion Area High School. Their discussion included the economy, job creation, the national debt, Platts' voting record and concerns about President Barack Obama's use of executive order.

"This is the first time I heard (Platts) in person," Harrison said. "How many times do you actually get to sit down and look at your congressman and say, "I have a question."

Harrison said that while he doesn't agree with all of Platts' votes and positions, he is impressed with Platts' voting attendance and his practice of not taking contributions from political action committees.

"That's what encouraged me to come to the meeting and hear what he has to say," Harrison said. "And from what I've seen of him, I know he's an honorable man."

Among the questioners were members of the York 912 Patriots, a political grassroots group that has criticized Platts, R-York County, and has called for him to be voted out of office.

About 20 members from the group attended the town meeting, said Scott Burkholder, its leader. Group members challenged Platts on his stance on the cap and trade issue and about the congressman's support of the federal government's regulation of the private sector, including the tobacco industry.

"(Platts) deflected a lot of the questions," Burkholder said afterward. "He really didn't give real answers about what he's doing."

At times during the meeting, the congressman's answers were interrupted by people in the audience. Platts also reminded the attendees to only address questions and comments to him after several of them began to debate among themselves.

After the event, Seairra Frey, 14, and her friend Alexa Budzynski, 15 - freshmen at Red Lion Area Senior High School - both said they attended to get extra credit for their history class.

However, they said they were surprised by several adults' disrespectful behavior toward Platts.

"I like to hear other people's opinions, but some of the people were mean to him," Seairra said. "You can give your opinion without being that way." "People were cruel to him," Alexa added. "Adults being childish. That's not right."

Platts said he was glad to see young citizens at the meeting and hopes to more youths in the future. He said he hopes they will understand that people are passionate about their convictions and express themselves that way.

He said there are constituents who are frustrated about the current economic struggles and political atmosphere in the country and he needs to hear their concerns.

"It wouldn't help me if they say everything is nice and they agree with me on everything," Platts said. "I want to hear about the things they like and don't like. The more engagement I get, the better."

-Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.