PISGAH – U.S. Rep. Dale Strong joined his staff Monday as they hosted mobile office hours in Jackson County. Mobile office hours allows residents to speak with the staff about their concerns or casework issues.
“I represent three-quarters of a million people in North Alabama. The district practically runs from Georgia to Mississippi,” said Strong (R-Monrovia). “I have permanent offices in Huntsville and Decatur that anyone can call or visit every day. We also do mobile office hours, like today, in smaller communities across the district so it’s easy for any of my constituents to meet with me or a member of my staff for help or just to let me know their views.”
As a congressman, Strong is frequently back and forth to Washington, but said he takes every opportunity he can to meet and speak with the people in North Alabama.
“It doesn’t matter what county you’re in, whether we’re in Lauderdale, Limestone, Morgan, Madison, Jackson,” he said. “And based on the Supreme Court ruling, we will soon be working in Lawrence County to let them know that their needs are important so we can take their voice back to Washington, D.C.”
Monday’s office hours session 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pisgah Town Hall in Northeastern Alabama.
Edward Gilbert of Bryant said he came to talk about a concern with veterans affairs.
“I appreciate the staff and Congressman Strong coming to visit today,” said Gilbert. “It’s more of a sparse population here so for them to come to hear our concerns means a lot.”
Gilbert, a Marine Corps veteran, said the community appreciates Strong’s work for North Alabama.
“Congressman Strong is doing an outstanding job,” he said.
Strong said district offices are always open to constituent needs and his staff is willing to go out to the people who might not be able to make it to the office.
Trey Daniels, a field representative for Strong, said people visit mobile office hours with a variety of concerns.
“Today we’ve talked with a gentleman about crime in the area, we’ve had a conversation with a constituent interested in clean energy, traffic safety and a few about federal legislation,” he said.
Depending on the issue, Daniels said congressional staff can open a case file, talk to city leaders or relay information to other local and federal agencies. He said it’s also a great opportunity for constituents to ask questions about current legislation or see that their opinions on specific bills are related to the congressman.
Caseworkers are also on hand for mobile office hours to assist constituents in veterans, Social Security, IRS, or passport issues.
“I enjoy the mobile office hours,” said caseworker Shauna Collett. “It allows us to see the faces and meet the people we are working to help.”
Strong’s congressional staff has held mobile office hours in 13 towns around the district including Stevenson, Elkmont, Killen, New Hope, Gurley, Somerville, Section, St. Florian, Ardmore, Owens Cross Roads, Falkville and Lexington. There will be mobile office hours in Danville and Triana in November to close out the year.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
