Press Release

ARCURI AND MAYOR QUILL MOVE TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES

Washington, DC -- In their continued efforts to ensure local Social Security beneficiaries have access to critical face-to-face services, U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill each sent a letter to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael Astrue requesting the agency move the Auburn contact station from the Boyle Senior Center to Auburn Memorial City Hall in order to better serve local residents. 

“People who have worked their whole lives and paid into Social Security deserve some form of local office where they can go with questions or complications and receive quality face-to-face service,” Arcuri said. “As a temporary location, the Boyle Senior Center has provided a tremendous community resource, now it is time to move the contact station to City Hall and there is no better location. By locating the contact center at City Hall, Mayor Quill and I feel it will greatly enhance and expand local services to members of our community.”

“This is a great opportunity for the Social Security Administration to enhance access to a widely utilized and necessary government resource,” Quill said. “The City of Auburn welcomes the chance to work with Congressman Arcuri to bring Social Security services for our citizens.”

Auburn Memorial City Hall provides sufficient parking, a private meeting room, high-speed internet service and security. The City of Auburn is offering to provide the SSA with part-time space at Auburn Memorial City Hall at no cost. 

After the SSA announced plans to close the Auburn office, Arcuri met repeatedly with high level SSA officials, demanded up-to-date data and analysis, and requested additional SSA funding during the congressional appropriations process. Congress appropriated $9.781 billion to fund SSA operations for Fiscal Year 2008, representing an over $600 million increase from the Fiscal Year 2006 funding level.

When the Auburn SSA office closed last October in spite of congressional action and adamant opposition, Arcuri worked together with Mayor Quill to set up a contact station at Boyle Senior Center.

A copy of Arcuri’s letter to SSA Commissioner Astrue can be found below:

April 9, 2008

The Honorable Michael J. Astrue
Commissioner
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235

Dear Commissioner Astrue:

 As you know, the Social Security Administration (SSA) closed a field office located in Auburn, New York in October 2007.  Following the closure, SSA coordinated with the Boyle Senior Center in Auburn to host a “contact station.” It has been brought to my attention by a host of local citizens and community organizations that the current SSA contact station lacks adequate parking, security and privacy.

 In light of those concerns, I request that SSA move the Auburn contact station from the Boyle Senior Center to Auburn Memorial City Hall.  Auburn Memorial City Hall, located at 24 South Street in Auburn includes ample parking, a private meeting room, high-speed internet service and security.  The City of Auburn will provide part-time space at Auburn Memorial City Hall to SSA at no cost. 

 Your prompt attention and consideration of this request is appreciated. Please have your staff contact Sam Marchio of my staff at 202-225-3665 or via email at Sam.Marchio@mail.house.gov with any additional questions or concerns.

      Sincerely,

      MICHAEL A. ARCURI         Member of Congress  

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