February 13, 2004

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that she will hold meetings with constituents in Port Huron during the evening of March 25. The Governor holds constituent office hours once a month in her Lansing office to discuss concerns with citizens from across the state of Michigan.

"I want to bring state government closer to the people of the Port Huron area to let them know that we are ready to help address their state government concerns," Granholm said. "We’re holding office hours outside of Lansing to make the Governor’s office even more accessible to the citizens of Michigan."

Constituents who wish to have a one-on-one meeting with the Governor in Port Huron must put their request in writing, outlining their ideas, thoughts, or experiences with a state department or agency. The Governor’s Constituent Services Office will review all requests and schedule appointments with as many constituents as possible. Each person gets approximately 10 minutes with the Governor to discuss their concern. Staff from the Constituent Services Office will be available at the conclusion of the 10 minutes if there are remaining issues to be discussed.

The Governor will hold office hours from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Written requests for a meeting with the Governor must be sent by March 5 to Constituent Services Division, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909. Written requests also can be faxed to 517-335-6863.

Issues that the Governor has helped constituents with during past office hours’ sessions range from Medicaid to consumer protection to naming an official state reptile.

"Office hours with constituents give me an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the customers of state government," Granholm said. "I urge Port Huron residents to take advantage of these constituent office hours to share with me their thoughts and ideas about state government."

For more information about constituent office hours, please contact the Governor’s Constituent Services Division at 517-335-7858.