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Chenoweth Coming To The People Lawmaker Opening Temporary Offices To Cater To Her Constituency

John Miller Staff writer

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth plans to open several field offices in an effort to help constituents deal with government.

Beginning Friday in Post Falls, Rathdrum, and Spirit Lake - as well as at other sites across the state - Chenoweth staffers will man tables at local city halls. It’s an effort to learn not only what is on Idaho residents’ minds, but also to assist them as they navigate the often confusing tangle of state agencies, according to Chenoweth’s staff.

“Since she worked for Senator (Steve) Symms and since she’s been involved in politics, Helen has learned the most important thing is constituent service,” said staffer Khris Bershers.

“It gives people who ordinarily wouldn’t give an opinion the opportunity to give it right away.”

The temporary offices came about partly out of Chenoweth’s concern that her constituents were unable to access government services available to them, Bershers said.

She cited the example of one man whose tax return was being garnisheed for $7,000 by the government.

He disputed the claim, but none of his phone calls or letters to the government departments were answered.

He eventually enlisted Chenoweth’s help.

“Senator Larry Craig’s office did this when he was first elected,” said Heather Sawyer, Chenoweth’s district representative in Coeur d’Alene, who will staff the temporary field offices in Idaho’s five northern counties.

Judging from the calls she gets in her office on Second Street, Sawyer said she expects many people’s concerns to revolve around issues like capital gains taxes and government regulation reform.

“The goal really is to be a presence in each county once a month,” said Sawyer.

“And if I can’t answer their questions on the spot, I’ll get back to them within a day.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TEMPORARY OFFICES Three temporary field offices will open Friday. The first, at Post Falls City Hall, is from 9 to 11 a.m., to be followed by one from 12 to 2 p.m. at Rathdrum City Hall and another at Spirit Lake City Hall from 3 to 5 p.m. The program continues next week in Boundary County, but sites have not been chosen yet. For information: 667-0127.

This sidebar appeared with the story: TEMPORARY OFFICES Three temporary field offices will open Friday. The first, at Post Falls City Hall, is from 9 to 11 a.m., to be followed by one from 12 to 2 p.m. at Rathdrum City Hall and another at Spirit Lake City Hall from 3 to 5 p.m. The program continues next week in Boundary County, but sites have not been chosen yet. For information: 667-0127.