Securing a new home
Social Security office moves across Ontario
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 12:23 PM PST
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| Max Trickey, manager of the Ontario Social Security office, talks about the new quarters situated at 908 S.E. Fifth Avenue west of the Interstate 84 overpass, near Southeast 10th Street and Norco. |
ONTARIO — The Social Security office in Ontario is now situated at 908 S.E. Fifth Ave.
The agency moved to the new digs during the weekend, and, because of privacy issues regarding clients, the operation was more like do-it-yourself with rental trucks, though some movers were used.
“I hope it is the last relocation,” Max Trickey, manager of the Ontario office, said.
He noted this is the only move he has been through.
Because of the security requirements, the movers could only handle boxed material and could not pack or unpack, the latter of which the staff is now doing.
“We started the move months ago,” Trickey said, adding the process to set up the computer system and other equipment took up a lot of time.
The Social Security office was formerly situated near Airport Corner for 11 years, Trickey, who joined the Ontario office in 2007, said. The son of a crop duster, Trickey said he will miss the crop-dusting planes taking off from the Ontario airport.
“We needed to move,” he said.
Not only had the office outgrown the former location, it was not designed for the security requirements issued after the deadly, Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was not built to have a guard station, one of new the requirements.
Not only does the new building have a place for the guard, but it has camera system, inside and outside, that he can monitor, as can other staff members. There is a larger reception area, which has more seating for the public and there are four windows where staff can meet with clients, with better privacy.
“We gained about 1,000 square feet,” Trickey said. The new facility has about 5,100 square feet.
There are six employees working there, he said, and he is waiting for a person to complete her training before being added to the staff. There were eight people in the office, but Trickey was only allowed to replace one of the two who left.
The Ontario office serves Malheur and Harney counties in Oregon and Adams, Washington and Payette counties. While in the transition period, the Ontario office is receiving assistance by phone from the Boise and Caldwell offices, and people are asked to file their claims if possible. If they do not need the assistance from the staff, there are forms available they can fill out and put in the drop box.
“We are still able to provide full service,” Trickey said.
Trickey is very happy that the average wait for a person coming into the Ontario office to be served is less than 5 minutes. In some larger offices the wait can be 12 to 15 minutes.
Office is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
