BY LANCE GAITHER

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia,com

On Tuesday, staffers of U.S Rep. James Comer, Field Representative Corey Elder and Legislative Director Sarah Coffman were at the Boyle County Library to listen to the concerns and issues facing Comer’s constituents.

“Congressmen Comer likes to host mobile office hours where staff goes into the community to meet people where they are,” Elder said. “He wants to help them with issues they are having with the federal agencies. Social security, the VA, you name it, we are here to meet them and get them help.”

A large number of veterans were in attendance, and Elder and Coffman said they helped roughly 50 attendees with issues they are facing with federal government services.

“We have talked with a lot of veterans today having issues with the VA,” Elder said. “We have one gentleman that is looking to get his Purple Heart. We are going to inquire on his behalf to make sure he gets the medals he deserved. We have heard a lot of concerns with social security issues, people having trouble getting benfits they are entitled too.”

Comer intends to have more listening sessions throughout the year in Boyle County.

“Comer wants to be very accessible and have his constituents able to interact with his office directly,” Elder said. “These mobile office hours are one of the ways he can do that. We will have more throughout the year, but there is not a set schedule.”

It wasn’t just Comer’s staff in attendance, Boyle County Magistrates Tom Ellis and Steve Sleeper were there to greet residents.

“We have had a good rotation of folks for the last 45 minutes. They are going to have these every quarter,” Ellis said. “To have this kind of turn right now, I think as word spreads it will get even better. My career has been 26 years in Frankfort and D.C. I don’t remember this kind of operation taking place at a small community locally. I think this will be good for everybody.”

Comer’s office says the 50 or so residents attending the session is the highest turnout for any such meetings held in Kentucky’s First District so far.