On his visit to Zebulon's Eastern Regional Center, Congressman Brad Miller got a chance to view some of the services provided at the center for residents of eastern Wake County. Contrary to popular belief, the ERC isn't just an office for the region's poor to get welfare and health services. People can pay their taxes at the center. People can access veterans benefits. And people can reach law enforcement officers when their help is needed.

Miller was correctly impressed by the idea of bringing services to the people, rather than making everyone find their way to Raleigh -- a trip that is difficult for many, impossible for some.

During his report to Miller, center Director Darryl Blevins explained plans to turn the facility into a development center for human capital as part of the county's Middle Class Express.

What Miller didn't hear, though, is more important. Everyone in the meeting with Miller had some connection to the center, either as an employee, a Human Services official or an elected official.

During his visit, Miller didn't hear from job seekers who have been out of work for months and unable to secure new employment. He didn't hear from any of the people who have helped grow the center's list of free gas recipients. He didn't hear from people who can't afford their own health care.

Miller's no fool. He surely knows people are hurting even as the economy shows faint signs of improvement.

The congressman represents a number of rural counties that don't enjoy many of the amenities provided in a more urban county like Wake County.

We're sure people in the northern Granville County town of Stovall would appreciate a facility like the ERC to keep from having to drive all the way to Oxford to handle their county business.

But it doesn't change the fact, as ERC advisory board member Sid Baynes said, that eastern Wake County's needs are greater than in any other region of Wake County. And, we'd argue, they are on par with the poorest of any rural county Miller serves.

Miller was hesitant to make any promises to deliver additional resources during his visit to eastern Wake County. Perhaps if he had heard from some of those who really need the help, he would be more inclined to fight for a bigger piece of the pie