ZIEGENHORN INSTALLS 800 NUMBER TO HIS OFFICE IN CAPITOL

JEFFERSON CITY - With about 40 percent of his district new territory, State Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn has installed an 800 telephone number in his state capitol office. He hopes it will make it easier for constituents to contact him,

"I just want people to have a better opportunity to call us and stay in touch," explained the Sikeston Democrat. "About 40 percent of the people in my district are new and I just wanted to be better in touch with them and show concern for their needs and views."

The number, 1-800-347-6916, will be a big help to constituents who want to contact his office but do not want to pay for the costs of a long distance phone call, explained Ziegenhorn.

"I always urge people to write or call," he added. "I have never had an 800 number before but always got plenty of calls."

During the legislative session, Ziegenhorn is in Jefferson City from Monday through Thursday, so when he is in his Sikeston office on Friday, he is swamped with phone calls.

"Most of the times, the calls are about something that needs to be done up here," said Ziegenhorn. "Having them call here, will in many cases cut the time it takes to get a response back."

Ziegenhorn said he gets a lot of calls for birth certificates and things that require direct contact with a state office based in the capital. The seven-term representative also believes the toll free number will provide an incentive for constituents to call with views on pending legislation.

After re-districting, Ziegenhorn's new 160th district left him with a lot of new people to represent. The Advance and Bell City portions of Stoddard County and some areas in north Scott County he previously served were shifted to other districts. He retained the entire city of Sikeston, but gained a large new area in north Scott County that included Benton, Kelso, Commerce and a large part of Scott City.

"Throughout my time in the Legislature I have prided myself on responding to the needs of the people I am elected to serve and thought this number would improve my ability to do that," said Ziegenhorn. "It is important that people feel that Dennis Ziegenhorn, as their representative, is accessible to them when they have a problem or want to share their view on an issue."

The cost of the 800 number is being paid from Ziegenhorn's monthly House office expense account.

Legislators have a WATS line to make outgoing calls, but do not have such a line for incoming calls. The House has an 800 number for members to use in calling the capitol from their districts, but they are prohibited from giving the number out for general use.

The Senate has a toll free number to provide information on the status of legislation, however, it does not enable callers to talk directly with legislators.

Ziegenhorn said he knows a few members of the Legislature have 800 numbers, but believes they are not widely used because of the cost.

"I doubt there are many representatives here with 800 numbers, but the price is cheap when you consider the good it provides to citizens wanting to contact their legislator," said Ziegenhorn.