Politics & Government

Location Changed, Constituents Didn't Follow

No residents showed to speak with a representative from Sen. Lautenberg's office at the monthly mobile office.

Representatives of Sen. Frank Lautenberg's office came to the Bridgewater Township Public Library eager to talk to constituents Thursday. They didn't have much luck. 

Evey month, staffers with Frank Lautenberg's office host mobile offices in each individual county. Normally, the Somerset County meeting is held at the county's administrative building in Somerville, but they decided to make a change for Wednesday's event.

"This is our first month trying the meeting at the Bridgewater Township Public Library," said Michael Pock, project specialist in Lautenberg's office, adding that the recommendation to hold it there was made by the county. "The suggestion was made for here because this is the main county library."

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But not one member of the public came to talk.

"There is a lot of traffic in the library, which is why the county suggested it," Pock said. "Maybe we can try this again in a different month."

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The mobile office is held every month, Pock said, in an effort to make members of Lautenberg's staff available to speak to residents in individual counties and answer any questions they may have. In the past, Pock said, questions have centered on the IRS, social security, transportation and other issues.

The first meetings, Pock said, were held in the fall of 2009.

"Sen. Lautenberg likes to reach out to his constituents who may not be able to get to Newark," he said. "He is making sure the residents know we are here."

At past meetings held in Somerville, Pock said, he's usually seen at least 15 people coming in and out during the two hours allotted to ask questions. He said it was unusual for no one to show.

"It depends every month," he said.

At the county building, Pock said, he normally has a table in an open area of the building. At the library, he had a table set up in one of the conference rooms, which, he said, may be one of the reasons for the poor turnout.

"At the county building, we're in a high traffic area," he said. "At the library, we're hidden away."

To publicize the meeting, Pock said, the county sent out a release, as did Lautenberg's office, and the library put information on its calendar.

Still, Pock said, he did not know why no one showed up this month, but has to wonder if it's because it is the middle of August, or if people missed the release about the location. He said this service has never been offered over the summer before, so it is hard to make a real determination.

"We just don't know how the summer is," he said. "Maybe people are just away."


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