A field representative for Sen. Barbara Boxer held office hours Thursday at American Canyon City Hall, giving locals an opportunity to bring questions and concerns — face to face.

Among the crowd, American Canyon parents came with worries about pedestrian safety on busy Highway 29 and seniors came in support of health care reform. Everyone signed in at the front desk and waited their turn to speak to Megan Miller, a San Francisco-based representative for Boxer. 

Faith Munn said she came in part to support health care reform and to push for mortgage modifications, which helps homeowners stay in their homes by lowering monthly mortgage payments.

“I thought it couldn’t hurt,” said Munn, a member of the Napa County Commission on Aging, who supports the public option in the health care debate.

Others who came during the two-hour session included Sherry Tennyson, executive director of American canyon Family Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that brings social services to American Canyon’s poorer residents.

“Being here physically, she can see who we are,” Tennyson said.

Viola Robertson, the executive director of the Benicia Community Action Council, a nonprofit organization that helps prevent homelessness, said she and member Susana Rodriguez, wanted to put on a face on the organization and let the representative know who they are.

American Canyon residents John Delao, Cynthia Ceja and Lavern Wilson, all parents of school children in town, said they came to highlight the need to improve pedestrian safety in American Canyon by constructing more sidewalks, better crosswalks and lowering vehicular speed.

“How are students supposed to get across Highway 29?,” asked Delao who has children at Napa Junction Elementary School and American Canyon Middle school.

Laurie Puzo, a staff representative for Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, signed up and waited her turn like everyone else to speak for her father, a World War II veteran.

“I really appreciate the accessibility because I’ve had so much trouble dealing with Veterans Affairs on behalf of my father,” Puzo said.

Barry Christian, a member of the city’s Open Space Advisory Committee, who volunteers his time for various organizations that support the outdoors in American Canyon and Napa County, came to speak to Boxer’s field representative about various bike and trail programs.

“I just appreciate her being here to listen to the community. I think that’s good government,” said Christian, the longtime American Canyon resident and activist. “I appreciate that they’re taking interest in what the local citizens are doing.”

Miller, the Democratic senator’s aide, declined comment, referring all questions to the press office.

Boxer, whose closest office to American Canyon is in San Francisco, schedules office hours at various cities every year. American Canyon’s was the 43rd meeting on the road so far this year, according to the senator’s office. Boxer’s staff came to Napa in February 2008.

“California is a big state, and these mobile office hours allow Senator Boxer to help constituents who cannot easily make it to one of her regional offices,” Zachary Coile, a spokesman for Boxer, said in an e-mail Friday.

 City Manager Rich Ramirez said Boxer’s office meeting in American Canyon was scheduled when the city invited various elected officials’ representatives for a staff meeting in American Canyon. The working luncheon took place Thursday at City Hall.

The group included Miller, as well as staff members for Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena, Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa; the League of California Cities and a staff member for Napa County Supervisor Keith Caldwell.

Ramirez said Friday the city did not ask for money, though it did receive support for a city grant application to Caltrans to improve a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Rio del Mar and Highway 29.

“This is a foundation for better working relations in the future,” Ramirez said.