Today there was a Christmas rush at Housing Minister Michael Finnegan’s constituency office on Amara Avenue. He holds his clinics on Thursday and with today being the last Thursday before Christmas – a crush of constituents descended on his office for a little Christmas kindness in cruel times. He asked us not to film any of his constituents but we did speak to him after. He says today’s crowd was nothing new.
Hon. Michael Finnegan, Mesopotamia Area Rep.
“People come to see me about a cross section of things and there are people from the division and legitimately I have to help them or to see them and I am willing to help.”
Keith Swift,
“The question is how do you help over 300 people?”
Hon. Michael Finnegan,
“Well I try my best, the little resources I have, the little resources that the Ministry has, I try to share it and to make everybody happy.”
Keith Swift,
“Did you expect that many people?”
Hon. Michael Finnegan,
“Well I don’t think people really want to come to the office and to stand in line but things are hard right now with the recession, these people are good decent people, and when they come to me I am prepared to help them. As a Minister of Government you have to play the role not only as a Minister but as a friend, as somebody with social conscience, that somebody is prepared to greet and smile and to help people and that is why I am here.
I avail myself to my constituents on a daily and primarily on Thursday morning. Thursday morning belongs to the voters of the Mesopotamia division. If you are not a Mesopotamian you cannot see me on Thursday morning. I make myself available to my people. They are good and decent people.”
Keith Swift,
“Does everybody leave happy?”
Hon. Michael Finnegan,
“Well check with them, I know they are all happy.”
Tomorrow Finnegan will host his annual Christmas party for the children in his constituency.
