Whether a Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated, Beaufort County residents and residents in some parts of Pitt County will have an opportunity Thursday evening to bend state Rep. Bill Cook’s ear.

Cook, the Republican who represents the 6th District in the N.C. House of Representatives, is hosting a town hall-style meeting at 7 p.m. in the Superior Courtroom of the Beaufort County Courthouse. The 6th District includes all of Beaufort County and a portion of Pitt County.

Cook, a freshman legislator, plans to provide an update on what the N.C. General Assembly is doing in Raleigh. Cook, in a statement received by the Washington Daily News on Monday, said he also plans to listen. We like it when politicians listen, especially if they listen more than they talk.

And as much as we are interested in what Cook has to say Thursday, we are just as interested, if not more so, in what his constituents have to say that night. Their comments should provide insight into what people in the 6th District expect from Cook, the General Assembly and state leaders.

“I’ll try to brief people attending on what has been going on in Raleigh but I am even more interested in listening,” Cook said in the statement released Monday. “I hope people will come out and help us do a better job of representing them by expressing their ideas, comments and particularly their suggestions.

“Our state is facing some critical decisions, especially with regard to the budget. While it is natural for everyone to want to preserve their particular interest, we are at a point where we need as many suggestions for how we can hold down the cost of government as we can get. I hope we will get some good suggestions along these lines on the 21st.”

There’s no doubt Cook will hear some good suggestions Thursday. What his constituents, and we, want to know is what will Cook do with those suggestions?

We hope Cook will listen to and act on credible suggestions from Republicans, Democrats and others. We don’t expect Cook and everyone who attend the meeting to agree with everything one another has to say. We do expect Cook to listen to all speakers, not just those who voted for him in November 2010. Since taking office, it appears Cook is willing to listen to those with differing views.

Cook’s constituents should take advantage of this opportunity to provide the legislator with a broad range of suggestions and views on matters important to them.

Politics aside, Cook is their voice in the N.C. House. His constituents must make sure he hears their voices. That will happen only if they attend the meeting and speak up.

As for Cook, if he truly listens more than he talks Thursday, he will have served his constituents well.