By Vin Gopal
As a direct link to state government, the constituent services team has a vital role in a legislative office. My LD11 partners, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, and I recognize the importance of access to resources as well as constituent feedback. Our office is committed to providing a constituent services team that reflects this recognition.
The Legislative District 11 Office constituent services team assists residents who call our office every day seeking help with a wide range of issues and questions. Many of our callers inquire about the state’s three property tax relief programs; ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ. We often field questions or concerns related to unemployment benefits, the Motor Vehicle Commission, disability services, and rising utility bills. We also offer information on legislative positions and maintain records of constituent support or opposition.
We understand that navigating state agencies can be challenging. To provide improved benefit assistance, our office routinely partners with state agencies to hold office hours and workshops. A recent partnership with the Board of Public Utilities to host a Utility Assistance Day is one such example. We also partnered with the New Jersey Division of Taxation and several LD11 municipalities including Ocean Township, Tinton Falls, and Eatontown, to provide a PAS-1 filing workshop. Our constituent services team frequently schedules a local veteran services officer from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to host office hours.
Benefit assistance is not the only aspect of the constituent services team. The team is also instrumental in helping us recognize the public achievements and accomplishments of our municipalities, communities, and residents. My LD11 partners, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, and I prioritize these milestones - honoring Eagle Scouts, congratulating new businesses, and showing our appreciation for first responders. Events like “Hometown Heroes” and “Teacher Appreciation Day” allow us to work with our local municipal and nonprofit partners and provide us opportunities to listen to residents and learn about issues important to them.
We welcome constituents to visit our office in person, however, we understand the challenges travel can present. That is why we offer mobile office hours so we can meet you where you are. We ensure that mobile office hours are available on a consistent basis so our team can assist individuals with property tax relief, disability services, utility assistance, unemployment and other benefits. If you would like to host mobile office hours in your community, please contact our office, we are ready to help.
Upcoming Mobile Office Hours will be held at the Long Branch Senior Center, 85 Second Ave., Tuesday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; the Neptune Township Senior Center, Tuesday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the Asbury Park Senior Center, 1201 Springwood Ave., Thursday, February 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the Long Branch Senior Center, 85 Second Ave., Tuesday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; the Neptune Township Senior Center, Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the Asbury Park Senior Center, 1201 Springwood Ave., Thursday, March 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about our coming events, please visit our blog at www.donlonpeterpaul.com/events.
We urge LD11 residents who need assistance or information on property tax relief or assistance of any kind - from getting a Real ID to chasing down a state income tax return - to call our LD11 office at (732) 704-3808 and a member of our staff will assist you.
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