Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2019
Contacts: Alenaa Yarmosky, Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov | Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement: Traci DeShazor, Traci.DeShazor@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Northam Announces Statewide Community Office Hours

First office hours to take place next week

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the launch of statewide community office hours hosted by the Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement. The Community Engagement team will schedule quarterly visits in each region of Virginia where constituents can have one-on-one meetings with a representative from the Office of the Governor. This program will provide residents greater access to the Governor’s Office and assistance with identifying and connecting to state government resources.

Currently, the office facilitates communication between constituents and the Governor through phone, email, letters, and meetings in Richmond. The new regional visits and the recent redesign of the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement are both part of Governor Northam’s commitment to serving Virginians through a responsive state government. The office has also rolled-out a new user-friendly website and biweekly regional newsletters. 

“My office may be in Richmond, but my administration serves the entire Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “I want to ensure that all Virginians have more opportunities to engage with my office. Increasing our regional presence allows our administration to be proactive in meeting constituents’ needs, and facilitates a direct exchange of ideas that will optimize our performance.”

“Governor Northam and his Cabinet spend a lot of time visiting localities and participating in events around the Commonwealth, but those visits do not always allow enough time to engage with many residents on a personal level,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson. “Local office hours will expand the reach of the Governor’s Office by giving our constituents a face-to-face meeting, without requiring them to travel to Richmond.”

Community Office Hours are planned quarterly, open to the public and hosted at accessible places like libraries, community colleges and centers. Community Engagement Specialists will listen to residents’ concerns, connect them to state resources, and provide information on services like Medicaid enrollment and the restoration of rights.

For Quarter 1 of 2019, Community Office Hours will be held at the following locations:

 

Central Virginia

Location:
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Downtown Campus
Richmond Community Room (Room 250), Second Floor
700 East Jackson Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Date:
Thursday, January 31, 2019
7:00 – 9:00 PM

 

Coastal Virginia

Location:
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk Campus
Norfolk Student Center, UN05-5212 (Study Room)
310 Granby Street
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Date:
Friday, February 1, 2019
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

 

Northern Virginia

Location:
James J. McCoart Administration Building, Occoquan Room
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

Date:
Monday, February 4. 2019
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

 
AND

Location:
Fairlington Community Center
3308 South Stafford Street
Arlington, Virginia 22206

Date:
Monday, February 4, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

 

Southside

Location:
Danville Community College
1008 South Main Street
Danville, Virginia 24541

Date:
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Staff:
 

Southwest

Location:
Mountain Empire Community College, Dalton-Cantrell Hall
Kline Foundation Board Room
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219

Date:
Friday, February 1, 2019
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 
AND

Location:
Wytheville Community College, Bland Hall
President’s Conference Room
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, Virginia 24382

Date:
Friday, February 1, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Staff:
 

Valley

Location:
Blue Ridge Community College 
One College Lane, Weyers Cave 
Virginia 24486

Date:
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM


To sign up for newsletters, or for more information on services offered by the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement, visit governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services.

For more information on the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, visit commonwealth.virginia.gov.

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