GALLEGLY'S CONSTITUENTS AIR CONCERNS OPEN MEETING HELD MONTHLY.

Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Social Security, health care and even fiberglass filings were among the issues raised by constituents of Rep. Elton Gallegly during an open forum held Monday by local staff members.

Gallegly's district office tries to hold local open meeting times at least once a month, said Brian Miller, the district chief of staff for the Oxnard Republican.

``It gives those who want to come in and discuss something personally the opportunity to do so without having to travel out to Oxnard,'' Miller said. ``They can always reach us by e-mail or phone, but sometimes things need to be done in person.''

Gallegly, in his seventh term in office, faces re-election this fall and is being challenged by Michael Case, a strongly backed attorney from Ventura.

Over a dozen people waited their turns to ask questions, propound on the state of international affairs, or seek help in figuring out Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits.

Chris Garcia, a semiretired veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, came with grievances about how his military pension and disability benefits are being handled.

According to Garcia, his pension is being garnisheed to pay for benefits related to wartime injuries.

``The government is stealing from one pocket and putting it into another,'' Garcia said.

``It is not the amount that matters, but the idea that the government is defrauding its veterans.''

Veronica Whalen, a Simi Valley retiree, came to discuss dental health insurance, taxes and the detrimental health effects of fiberglass, a product she sees as more ubiquitous and dangerous than asbestos.

Mary Hanft said she attended the meeting to bring up a more ideological issue. She was upset by a report published in a Washington, D.C., magazine that said that federal government agencies were tracking conservative organizations.

``I just wanted to bring up the fact that I don't think the American people are paying attention to the rights that are being taken away from us,'' Hanft said. ``I just can't process that.''

Miller assured each of the attendees that their concerns would be noted, investigated and responded to.

As far as Gallegly's agenda for a possible eighth term, high on the list is raising the amount that Americans can contribute to Individual Retirement Accounts from $2,000 to $5,000 a year, Miller said.