By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — The conflict in Iraq should be ended by the time President George W. Bush leaves office, U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette said Wednesday.
A military report to be released next month, should indicate the recent troop surge has been effective, providing incentive for Bush to start downsizing the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, LaTourette, a Republican, said.
“I think the war will be over (by the presidential election),” LaTourette said. “We will see a drawdown in troops. (Bush) won’t leave office with this thing going on.”
LaTourette’s comments came during a morning visit to the Star Beacon. LaTourette, who represents the 14th District, is nearing the middle of his seventh term in Congress.
He had planned other stops during the day, including meetings with local and county officials on infrastructure projects and a session on the River Partnership program.
Other issues are percolating in the district, LaTourette said. Aside from ballooning fuel prices, his office fields more calls on immigration issues than any other topic, he said. Concern about a proposed amnesty program for illegal aliens has spurred comment from every corner of the district, and the vast majority of constituents is opposed to the proposal, LaTourette said.
The foreclosure epidemic in Ohio is also a priority. “It’s a nightmare,” he said.
An initiative is in the works to improve consumer education on mortgages and lending practices, as well as changes in the tax code. A town-hall meeting on the mortgages and lending may be scheduled, LaTourette said.
Dialogue is also well under way on a wind-energy-related development within the district, as well as a Lake Erie ferry service that could link Ashtabula County and Port Maitland, Ontario, Canada.
LaTourette said he plans to seek an eighth term next fall.
