Congressman Steil opens service center in Somers

SOMERS — Freshman Congressman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., opened a Constituent Service Center Thursday in Somers.

The office, in the Somers Village/Town Hall, 7511 12th St., is where First Congressional District residents can go for help with federal programming or to offer their opinions on public policy.

"I made a commitment to be as accessible and available as possible," Steil said, encouraging constituents to share their views on issues.

"It is super helpful to hear what people are thinking and what their ideas are. That's helpful for me to be an advocate and try to find solutions to the problems we are facing in Washington."

Walk-in hours will be 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Those wishing to meet outside of these hours can make an appointment.

Help will be available for those who are seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies.

Somers village president George Stoner said he appreciates Steil opening the service center in Somers, adding it is an appropriate use of the public building and will make it easier for local residents to connect with federal services.

Steil, who also met with a group of Hispanic business leaders in Kenosha Thursday and opened another service center in the Racine County Courthouse, said it is exciting to see "job creators" coming to the I-94 corridor in Kenosha and Racine Counties.

"When you look at what is going on in Kenosha County, it's pretty spectacular," Steil said, adding competition for labor will lead to higher wages.

In addition to the permanent location in Somers, Steil or a member of his staff will hold periodic office hours throughout the county. Office hours are set for:

Salem Lakes: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. today, Village Hall, 9814 Antioch Road.

Twin Lakes: 3 to 4 p.m. today, Village Hall, 108 E. Main St.

Kenosha: 3 to 4 p.m. March 1, Municipal Building, 625 52nd St..

Steil said a recurring sentiment he has heard during the listening sessions is the need for "a shift in tone in Washington."

"We need to focus on solutions and less on partisan politics," Steil said. "People are frustrated with the partisan bickering."

He said he will bring a "Wisconsin style of communicating" to Washington in an effort to foster "thoughtful, productive conversation" even when people do not agree.