Staffers from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s (NJ 11th) office met with the seniors in Scott Riotto’s AP American Government and Politics classes on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The discussion was held in the Montville Township High School [MTHS] Media Center. The role of public service in community, as well as careers in public service were discussed. Additionally, the staffers defined the differences between the services provided to constituents through a local Congressional district office as compared to the responsibilities of Congressional offices located in Washington D.C.
Riotto, an MTHS Social Studies teacher since 1994, invited the staffers to provide AP American Government and Politics students with an opportunity to ask questions and gain an overview and understanding of the role of Congressional representation in the everyday lives of a United States Congressperson’s constituents.
Willy Tolba, the Military and Veteran Liaison for Congresswoman Sherrill’s District Office, attended the panel, along with Chris Williams, the District 11’s Director of Community Engagement and Grants, and Congressional Fellow Alexandra Cerasiello.
Explaining that the district Congressional office helps individuals, towns, and local groups in a very interactive way each day, while the Congressional Office in Washington D.C. focuses on drafting, building support for, and implementing policy, the three shared their day-to-day experiences with the AP American Government and Politics students at MTHS.
Students and some faculty members asked the staffers more than a dozen questions during the 50-minute class. “How did you get involved in government?”, “How many constituents do you help?”, “What is your day like?”, and “What would you consider to be the most significant help you have provided a constituent?” were among the many inquiries.
All three noted that public service is gratifying, explaining that they believe in government helping people.
“You often talk with people on their worst, most emotionally challenging, day,” Tolba explained.
Williams and Cerasiello emphatically agreed, noting that helping to solve a problem for a person on their “worst, most challenging day,” is important and gratifying work.
“There is work to be done every day to help members – and the communities -- of this district,” Williams explained. “Not every day goes as planned. Sometimes things occur that create new issues to be addressed, but the work of helping the constituent is ongoing, and it is the priority.”
The three each noted that while no two days are identical, the District 11 offices are structured with military precision. Congresswoman Sherrill, a 1994 US Naval Academy graduate, who flew US Naval missions throughout Europe and the Middle East as a helicopter pilot, is adept in structuring the team to be prepared for any occurrence. Tolba, who is also a veteran, explained that there are protocols for helping the district Congressional office to effectively and efficiently assist both individuals and larger entities.
Citing as just a few examples of pressing issues for which people regularly contact the district’s Congressional offices for assistance, the team from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office noted that Medicare or veteran’s benefits, when someone is sick and in need of immediate answers, are among the top of the list of inquiries the office receives. Other frequent inquiries include: Social Security, passports, and utility inquires.
Williams explained that a large part of his job is also to keep mayors and town administrators apprised of available funding, and the timing for that funding, for local programming and opportunities for community members. Things like flu shots, mental health initiatives, green improvements, and utility upgrades or access, are just a few of the kinds of funding for programming from which communities may benefit by utilizing the opportunities.
“I would not want to be doing anything else,” Williams said when asked “Why Public Service?”.
Williams cited his love of history and his commitment to government helping people. Tolba and Cerasiello concurred. All three find fulfillment in solving problems and helping others.
Nearly 50 AP American Government and Politics students attended the panel discussion by the three Congressional District 11 staff members. MTHS is one of seven schools in the Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] district. The school is home to over 1,000 students in grades nine through twelve. MTPS serves over 3,500 students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.