Senator Joe Simitian Holds 'Sidewalk Office Hours'

Step into the office of California State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and have a piece of fresh fruit at the same time.

Though he had to miss his scheduled appearance at the Palo Alto Farmer's Market on Saturday morning due to an emergency Senate meeting on the state budget, Simitian rushed back to the Bay Area for his appearance at the Menlo Park Farmer's Market on Sunday for what he calls his “Sidewalk Office Hours”--meetings where he invites residents to share questions and solutions regarding state legislative issues. According to Simitian, he holds about a dozen of these events each year in an effort to connect with the more than 500,000 residents that he represents in the 11th district. 

“In order to feel that I really represent all the citizens in my district, it is necessary that I try to meet with residents as much as possible,” Simitian said. “The topics always [vary] from year to year, but it is a great way to meet people. While some residents come very prepared with questions and notes, others just happen to be walking by and stop to ask a question.” 

Read the full story about the topics that were most brought up by residents on our sister site, the Menlo Park Patch,