By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
When you’re in the middle of a long, 14-county congressional district it means you often get your lawmaker’s attention whether he or she is coming or going. Fourth District Congressman Jim Jordan was in Bucyrus once again on Monday, this time to officially open an office at Bucyrus City Hall.
Mayor Jeff Reser of Bucyrus noted it was, to his knowledge, the first time a congressional representative staffed an office in Bucyrus.
“This is an honor,” Reser said.
Jordan introduced Dee Dee Knapp of Shelby who will be staffing his Bucyrus office. Those office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on T
uesdays and Thursdays.
Jordan said residents of the area should stop in, or call and set an appointment, to talk with staff and share what’s important to them so he can better represent them in Washington. Jordan said he hears from his constituents in regards to issues they are having with government services as well as concerns they have on issues before Congress.
“Both and sometimes it’s, ‘Look, we’re having problems dealing with the Social Security office, can you help us.’ It’s nuts-and-bolts things,” Jordan said. “Other times it’s, ‘I was watching C-SPAN when I couldn’t sleep the other night and this issue came up, and you know what – they need to do this.’ Citizens want to weigh in on a host of issues, some that directly impact them, some that are broader and have an impact on the entire country.”
The Urbana Republican is currently serving his fifth term in Congress. That current term isn’t up for another year.
“I tell everyone all the time that the founders in their wisdom wanted the House of Representatives to be that body closest to the people. That’s why every two years you get a chance to throw me out, and that’s a good thing” Jordan said. “But to represent the people appropriately you’ve got to be out and about talking to them, see what’s going on.”
Jordan said the relationship between taxpayers and Washington isn’t what it should be and he hopes that having an office here provides better access.
“Right now I’m convinced most middle class families feel like Washington is rigged against them and they think that because it’s true,” Jordan said. “You’ve got way too much influence by special interest and the connected class. If you’re a big corporation you get some special deal in the tax code. We’ve got to stand up and fight for middle class families.”
Jordan said he believes Congressional Republicans will come together during the current session.