Gatto maintaining local office during legislative session

MAT-SU -- The Valley legislators have gone to Juneau and the legislative offices at the Mat-Su Legislative Information Office have returned to their in-session quiet -- except one.

Shelley Hughes, a staff member for Rep. Carl Gatto, is the lone member of the Valley's legislative staff group who's remaining in the Wasilla office while the rest of the camp is in Juneau.

"We believe we can better serve our constituents by having an office here," Hughes said.

It's not that Gatto has more staff than other members of the Valley's legislative team, Hughes said. He's simply tapping into telephone and computer technology to make the situation work.

"Normally, the third position in Juneau would be a receptionist," Hughes said. "I'm going to be able to stay here, but I'll be doing a lot more than receptionists' work."

Hughes said two staff members will be in Juneau, but they'll be working on pending legislation and other duties. In the Valley, in addition to fielding calls, Hughes said she plans to attend local meetings and keep Gatto informed of local issues that come up. Hughes will be at Gatto's Wasilla office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. , except during those times when she's at meetings or appointments in the community, she said.

To contact Gatto's office, call 376-3725 during those times. To speak to the Juneau office directly, call 465-3743. Although Gatto has a toll-free number, Hughes said she'll be encouraging people to use the local number instead, and the toll-free number will be disconnected midway through the session. Hughes also encouraged local residents to subscribe to Gatto's monthly newsletter -- to do so, call Hughes at 376-3725.