Social Security office saved from closure

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

May 02, 2008 11:43 pm

— CLINTON — Federal officials have agreed to keep Clinton’s Social Security Administration office open, according to press releases issued Friday by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa.
“This is good news for Clinton,” Mayor Rodger Holm said Friday afternoon.
In a letter to Harkin and Braley, Linda McMahon, deputy commissioner for Operations at the SSA, said the original decision to close the office came after an assessment of field facilities. After the assessment, the SSA concluded that overall service could be improved by closing the Clinton office and relocating staff to the Davenport SSA office.
“While we believe we have valid reasons for our original decision, which is part of a larger plan to provide the most efficient service we can in the state of Iowa, we understand the concerns that you raised on behalf of your constituents. Consequently, we have determined it is best to maintain the status quo at this time,” McMahon wrote.
Harkin and Braley thanked the Social Security Commissioner for responding favorably to the concerns raised by the community and praised Clinton’s City Council for its tireless work.
“I’m thrilled the Social Security Administration reversed their decision to close the Clinton office,” Braley said. “The people of Clinton fought hard to keep this office open. After a lot of hard work, our persistence has paid off and we’ve reached a positive end. With baby boomers on the edge of retirement, the demand for Social Security services in Clinton is only going to grow. Keeping the office open will provide Clinton seniors full access to services they need.”
“I am proud to be able to deliver this great news to the people of Clinton. We have fought tooth and nail to ensure that these residents had proper access to their Social Security office,” said Harkin. “The Clinton people’s determination to maintain their community has truly paid off and I look forward to continue working with them as they develop a long-term economic redevelopment strategy that will revitalize their area.”
The Clinton City Council held a special council meeting Tuesday afternoon to approve a resolution requesting that the Clinton office remain open. In an e-mail to council members regarding the resolution, Holm explained how the loss of the local office could affect area residents.
“Many of our disabled citizens cannot travel. Many of our citizens are used to face-to-face service and are not accustomed to using the 1-800 telephone numbers let alone the Internet,” Holm wrote. We have a very bright future in Clinton filled with potential and growth. There are many baby boomers who will need service and after years of contributing to Social Security deserve it.”
The resolution stated the city “has concerns that the local community may not be adequately served if the Social Security Office closes” and requested that the local office remain open to serve the local community. A copy of the resolution was forwarded to Braley, Harkin and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.