Both of Maine’s U.S. senators departed an event in central Maine last Monday without taking questions from hopeful members of the press. Right now, that simply isn’t good enough.

As the president continues to play things fast and loose and recent instances of political violence reverberate on our airwaves, online and throughout our communities, it’s reasonable that the public would want to hear directly from their elected representatives.

What’s the expectation? Sometimes it’s reassurance. Sometimes it’s nuance. Sometimes it’s just a bit of color, delivered off the cuff, some comment or explanation that brings the political process to life, reminding us that, yes, we are represented and we are being listened to.

Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins have both come under fire in recent months for failing to hold town hall meetings with sufficient regularity — Rep. Jared Golden, too. They simply ought to, one argument goes; these meetings, if they ever happen, shouldn’t be virtual, insists another, but conducted in person.

The counterarguments tend to hinge on safety concerns. Some will add that a town hall, right now, is a pointless exercise because it is all but guaranteed to descend into an unproductive shouting match. This argument conveniently ignores the fact that similar meetings are carrying on at organizations all across the country. Yes, tensions can flare and disagreement can dominate. Is that not an important part of these meetings’ purpose?

Furthermore, isn’t it the case that, in a vacuum, this particular form of tension will only intensify? Where the people are asking for something — here, an audience — and repeatedly not getting it (for years, in some cases), is it any wonder that, for the representative or senator in question, the prospect of finally relenting and saying “OK” carries some additional weight?

One obvious and easy way of defusing this tortured standoff over town halls is to commit to making time to speak to the press — if we may, to the local press in particular — whenever an opportunity presents itself.

If, for whatever reason might be offered, that’s an impossibility, one could take steps to hold a town hall. Better again, hold a town hall every month. Conduct these meetings until the loud cries get softer and until attendance starts to drop off, which it will.

There’s no doubt that every incumbent wishes they could take the stage in a rallying spirit, cheered on by supporters and capable of tapping into what could yet be. The president, for example, has never stopped rallying. It’s also easy for the likes of, say, Graham Platner to harp on about how appallingly difficult it is to get a sitting senator’s time.

We don’t dispute that. We also cannot at all see the point of leaving Washington, D.C., and traveling to Skowhegan — conveying to us that this place matters, the people who live here and work here matter — only to skip out and duck questions on the burning issues du jour.

The trouble with the drumbeat criticism regarding our senators’ deficient connection with constituents is that it is valid.

Back in April, when the Trump administration first upped the ante with executive orders and signaling of sweeping reforms, this editorial board called for more face time.

“The town hall format seems to appeal most to voters’ sense of tradition — and perhaps their more contemporary thirst for accountability,” we wrote. “But it is far, far from the only format of outreach available, and voters in Maine do not have to accept nothing at all as an alternative to something.”

Recent developments have offered little in the way of relief to those voters — most of us would acknowledge they have done the opposite. The need to ask questions, register concerns and be heard is much more pronounced than it was six months ago. In six months’ time, without a change in approach, our elected leaders should expect it to be more pronounced again.