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Social Security office stays in Clinton

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By Steven Martens | Saturday, May 03, 2008 | 1 comment(s)

CLINTON, Iowa — A spokesman for the Social Security Administration said Friday the department listened to the concerns of residents in reversing an earlier decision to close the Social Security office in Clinton.

The decision was announced Friday afternoon by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa.

The Social Security Administration announced last month it intended to close the Clinton office effective June 1 and move the three employees to the Davenport office.

The Clinton City Council approved a resolution earlier this week asking that the office be kept open, and Harkin and Braley lobbied Social Security on the city’s behalf.

Social Security spokesman John Garlinger said Friday that department officials heard and understood the concerns raised by the congressmen and city officials.

In a letter to Braley dated Friday, Linda McMahon, deputy commissioner for operations for the Social Security Administration, wrote that the original decision to close the Clinton office was based on an assessment intended to help provide service efficiently and effectively.

“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 have raised on behalf of your constituents,” McMahon wrote. “Consequently, we have determined it is best to maintain the status quo at this time.”

Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm said officials from Social Security came to Clinton on Thursday to meet with him and local economic development officials.

Holm called it “a very serious meeting,” during which the local officials made their case to keep the Clinton office open.

“I think they left with a totally different perspective about Clinton than when they came in,” Holm said. “I’m just very happy that city governments can reason with federal agencies and that the right decision was made.”

Harkin and Braley praised the decision.

“I am proud to be able to deliver this great news to the people of Clinton,” Harkin said. “We have fought tooth-and-nail to ensure that these residents had proper access to their Social Security office.”

“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.”

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.