Arcuri still protesting SS office closure

By The Citizen staff report

Thursday, October 4, 2007 9:57 AM EDT

Plans to close the Auburn Social Security office this month again sparked opposition from one federal official Wednesday.
In a letter to the agency's commissioner, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, argues the Social Security Administration is not using a projected $401 million increase in federal funds as anticipated. Arcuri first spoke out against the office's closure in June. “Through my meetings with SSA staff regarding this matter, it has been made clear that additional administrative funding was a critical step to staving off closure of the Auburn office,” the congressman wrote to SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. “I find it troubling that SSA would move forward with any district office closures this year before the agency's budget for fiscal year 2008 is finalized.”

The SSA previously indicated the Auburn office at 1110 Corporate Drive off of Grant Avenue would close because of a shrinking caseload and staff. Arcuri argues the caseload will gradually grow with the pending retirement of baby boomers and accused the SSA of allowing the Auburn office to struggle.

“It seems obvious to me that two things have happened: No. 1, SSA has made no effort whatsoever to fill staffing voids in Auburn and No. 2, the decrease in visitors can be attributed to the decrease in available services and convenient office hours for the general public,” Arcuri wrote, requesting another meeting with SSA officials.

Geneva and Syracuse are the closest SSA offices to Auburn.

The Citizens' Say

There are 3 comment(s)

gofigures wrote on Oct 5, 2007 12:05 AM:

" Mr. Arcuri:I was on ssi and i found that by you closing the office in auburn it will hinder the southern end of cayuga county that also depend on the auburn office to get their paperwork done. W also have many elderly that do not drive and switching them to another location is a hinderence to them as well.Take into consideration someone who has a back issue can only sit for a few minutes and a longer car ride to get stuff done is doing damage worse to them, same goes for someone with a heart or breathing issue. So please defend us and others and keep the auburn ny office open!Also take into consideration the old boces bldg its on a bus run and its in a non congested area maken it easier for disabled people to get in and out of, is already a handi capped accessible bldg! "

jen wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:12 PM:

" Thank you, Mr. Arcuri, for fighting to save Auburn's S.S. office. You are so right that the office hours have been shortened over the years. Many disabled people live miles away and depend on a ride, and when the caregiver works, it is difficult to go during short hours. If the disabled person goes by bus up Grant Ave., how can they get up the pot-hole infested, narrow, dangerous driveway? So even the location is not good. As far as service, the phone is always busy. I must say the service is so much more professional at the Geneva office, but it is so far away. "

Dan W wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:02 PM:

" People are leaving NY in droves due to high taxes. Hence a reason to close the Auburn office. Keep voting in the tax increasing spending money like no tomorrow bums. The BOCES campus comes to mind. This is what we get in return "

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