BOUNTIFUL -- Bountiful native and U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ashdown (D) will hold a meet-and-greet at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. to discuss issues surrounding health care in the 21st century. The event is being organized by Ashdown's friend, Dr. Raymond Ward, a family doctor in Bountiful. "I think Pete has some great ideas about how we can extend health care benefits to more Utahns and Americans," said Ward. "I'm also glad that he's willing to listen to others' ideas and bring them into his campaign." "As a small businessman myself, I know the tremendous pressures that health care costs have on our economy, our state, and our nation," Ashdown said.

He is the founder and president of XMission, Utah's first Internet service provider.

"I am willing to listen to anyone's ideas about how we can fix this crisis in Utah and America."

The public is invited to attend and ask questions.

Those interested in attending should enter at the main entrance and immediately turn left to 630 East Medical Drive.