Originally in the Echo Press
Staff from the office of Rep. Michelle Fischbach were in Alexandria last week holding mobile office hours, during which they addressed questions and concerns from local constituents and leaders.
The office hours were held on Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Douglas County Library in the large meeting room.
The office hours were part of an ongoing effort to hold monthly meetings in the district, with a different community being visited each month.
"Staff come to a location in the district to be accessible to constituents and local leaders, whoever it might be, just to make it easier for them to come and talk with us about whatever issues they have with various departments and agencies with the federal government," said District Director Ben Anderson.
Visitors share feedback or opinions on policy issues, as well.
"We share that with Michelle and other staff, and go from there on it, whatever direction that is," Anderson said.
In addition to answering questions and addressing concerns, the staff were also available to assist constituents with issues like passport processing, veterans' needs, tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and also connect them with federal agencies like FEMA and FSA.
Anderson said last week's office hours were attended by approximately three dozen local residents.
"When we started at 11:30, there were probably 10 people waiting for us, so we got started right away," he said.
Anderson added that the visitors were a mix of constituents and local leaders.
"Jerry Rapp from the county board was here," he said. "The mayor was here, so that's usually what it is. It's usually some local officials, but mainly its constituents, just needing assistance."
Among the constituents, issues with the IRS were "pretty common," Anderson said.
"The local officials are just kind of talking about the projects and the needs that they have in the community and how they can partner with us," Anderson said. "We have those conversations with them on an ongoing basis."
Anderson said events like the one held last week are an important way of keeping people in contact with their representatives.
"We're just always looking for ways to be accessible and available for constituents and local officials," he said. "So it's just this is just another way that we try to connect with people directly and be there for them and help them with things that they need."
