By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — It was a ribbon-cutting, an open house and an event to recognize a longtime congressional liaison. Throw in a surprise visit from U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and it made for a banner day on Friday at the city’s new Social Security Administration office on Pleasant Street.

While the Social Security Administration has technically been operating at the 4 Pleasant St. location since September, district manager Paul Tetreault said the open house is a traditional event designed to show appreciation for its staff as well as representatives from various state and local agencies that the office interfaces with on a regular basis.
The office moved from the Trust Fund building on Broad Street, where it had been located since 1970. Tetreault said the new site, previously occupied by Verizon, offers the public a larger and brighter space with more areas for private consultations.
He also said that the office is centrally located and just down the street from a RIPTA bus stop.
Tetreault credited his staff, particularly Mayda Hammonds, now assistant district manager, and Holly Lazieh, management support specialist, for their help in making the transition go smoothly.
Mayor James Doyle told those assembled that he wanted to “re-welcome you to the city,” and said the staff of about 20 employees to the area would “make the merchants happy,” especially those serving lunchtime fare. He also said that both he and his wife have had occasion to visit the office as clients, “and we received the best possible treatment” from the staff.
Doyle also recognized the building’s landlord, Dr. Peter Baziotis, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eleftherios Baziotis, who ran Kip’s restaurant in the city for many years, saying, “These are the people we want and need in this city.”
Manuel Vaz, regional commissioner of the Social Security Administration, said that the former office space “was a good deal back in 1970, but we were clearly in need of new space.” Of the Pleasant Street site, he added, “We look forward to being here for many, many years...maybe even tying the 37 years’ record.”
Vaz praised the Pawtucket office’s staff and noted that its longest running employee, technical expert Chris Freeman,  would be given the honor of doing the ribbon cutting. He also spoke of the importance of Social Security benefits in general to the millions of Americans who depend on them, and reminded the employees and supporters that they handle “an enormously important responsibility.”
Vaz also recognized Kathy Hinckley, director of constituent services for Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s Office and a liaison with the Social Security Administration since 1994, with the Regional Commissioner’s Public Service Award.
Hinckley was overcome with emotion when Kennedy himself strode in and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.  The congressman credited Hinckley with “speaking from the heart” and said she always deals with people who come into the office “with humility and humanity.”
Kennedy described Hinckley, whom he said “is like a second mother to me,” as having “that old-fashioned sense of fairness and justice to all.” He added that “this is something we need to bring back. It’s been missing from this country for many years.”
Kennedy used the event to speak about how the current economy is squeezing the middle class, and noted the importance of having the government provide assistance in such areas as Social Security, health care, and other social service programs. He said he views health care as something that should be added to the list of civil rights protections for all Americans. “What kind of country do we want to be?” he asked.
Referring to his father, Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy and his recent landmark vote on Medicare legislation, the congressman said the elder Kennedy “never forgets from whence he came. He always said, ‘You never pull up the ladder after you’ve made it.’  He added that in his estimation, “Too many people in this country think they should pull up the ladder after they’ve climbed it.”