Plymouth City Council Chambers packed Monday afternoon for Congressman Yakym's Mobile Office Hours

After a boisterous, overflowing gathering at Congressman Yakym’s Mobile Office Hours in Plymouth on Monday afternoon, the congressman stated on Tuesday.

Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office issued the following statement reiterating his dedication to transparency and serving all constituents of Indiana’s Second District:

“Congressman Yakym and our team are committed to accessibility and transparency, hosting monthly mobile office hours across the district so every constituent can connect and be heard,” said District Director Griffin Nate. “We’re here to serve and represent all Hoosiers in the Second District—but we won’t stand for leftist lies meant to disrupt, disrespect, and intimidate.”

On Monday, over 80 citizens attended Congressman Yakym’s Mobile Office event in the Council Chambers of Plymouth City Hall.  At times, those who could get into the room and those standing in the hallway, were loudly chanting, booing, and even singing songs. They sand This Land is Your Land, and We Shall Overcome.

Typically, one to three individuals attend these one-on-one Mobile Office Hours. So when District Director Griffin Nate walked in, he was surprised to see so many citizens. GIANT fm WTCA was told that people from South Bend and Notre Dame attended the event. It appeared that many thought Congressman Yakym would be at the event, but the news release clearly states that a staff member will be available for the meetings. 

Plymouth resident Michelle Livinghouse met with Nate in a conference room and told him that in October 2023, a group of local citizens including several members of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, met for a Mobile Office event. They voiced some concerns but never received any response or feedback, feedback from Congressman.   Livinghouse stated, “We have not received any response, and this is unacceptable.”

Livinghouse also told the District Director, “The Congressman works for us; therefore, in light of the worries we have about Elon Musk and DOGE (unelected, unvetted, and with no authority) and the current chaos in our government, we are respectfully asking that Congressman Yakym hold a Town Hall Meeting to answer many questions.”  She also asked if Yakym’s staff, as federal employees, received the email from Musk on Friday asking for 5 bullet points of what they had done that week.

Barb Holcomb, who is retired and has pledged to serve the poor and underserved also attended the Mobile Office Hours.  She discussed the housing shortage and gave the Housing Matters study to Yakym’s staff member on a thumb drive.  She said two of our generations are not prepared for the current economic conditions and will require government assistance with housing, food, and mental and medical help for many more years.  Her suggestion was to work on educating more students with skills and or higher education to make a living wage.  As an owner of agricultural ground, Holcomb also wanted to talk about the Farm Bill and said she was counting on and needed a contract this year.

While individuals were meeting with Griffin Nate the standing-room-only City Council Chambers had folks telling their thoughts, concerns, and stories to those gathered. 

Those attending Congressman Yakym’s Mobile Office Hours are trying to organize a Town Hall meeting to allow the U.S. District II representative to hear from the people he represents.