Van Drew & Albano Disappointment

Last week I read this news article.

Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, Nelson Albano, and Albano’s running mate, Matt Milam, announced today they will hold “an old-fashioned rally” opposing the selling and leasing of the state’s toll roads.

“You do not sell your home to pay off your credit card debt,” Van Drew said, in a statement released today.

The rally will be on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Ocean View Fire Hall on Route 9 in Ocean View, Cape May County.

Curious to hear more from my assemblymen, I drove to Ocean View this evening to hear more about the issue directly from the assemblymen.

This event was a severe disappointment.

I struggle getting involved with politics.  I left a Corzine meet and-greet when the governor was an hour late.  I have been unsuccessful in getting Cumberland County Republican Chairman Larry Pepper to give me the time of day.  I must not understand how it works.

I expected Assemblyman Van Drew, Assemblyman Albano, and running mate Matt Milam (I sat on the Community Advisory Board of the local paper with his father several years ago) to speak to the audience about the issue of Governor Corzine proposing either leasing or selling state assets such as our highways to raise cash to balance the budget.  This is a big issue here.

The event was to kick off at 6:00  p.m. I made arrangements with the family not to be around for dinner so I could drive to hear my elected officials speak to me.

I am not much for small talk.  I am uncomfortable speaking with folks I do not know, despite having a common interest.  This explains why I shun geocaching events.   Anyhow, not that I realized there was a greeting line when I entered, I walked past Van Drew and Albano who were otherwise engaged and found a seat at a table off to the side.  This was about 5:45.

By 6:00, there were about 50 or so folks there and the greeting line was in full force.  Folks kept coming in.  I looked at my watch.  By 6:30 the room was full.  I estimated the peak audience was 200-250 folks.  I wondered what the capacity of the room was and whether a fire official would halt the entrance of additional folks.

Pizza that I had seen delivered 15 minutes earlier was finally put out on a table.  People left their seats to get some.  Uh oh . . . this thing was not going to get rolling for a while.

Then I saw Nick Asselta enter.  Asselta is the 1st District’s state senator.  Assemblyman Van Drew is running against Asselta.  I thought this was an awfully ballsy move on the part of the Republican.  I later learned that his running mates also were there; Norris Clark even sat at my table.

There were media interviewing the politicians.  I could see this was going to drag out.  I finally got off my duff and took a couple photographs of Van Drew and Albano.   I figured I should get something for my time.

Soon after Van Drew addressed the audience.  Finally.

He quipped that the way a Democrat got elected in the 1st district was to keep speeches short.  Then he thanked everyone for coming.  He mused that the event must be good if the opponents show up.  Then he said he and his running mates needed everyone’s support.  Then he stopped talking.

That’s right.  Just before 7:00 Assemblyman Van Drew spoke for no more than 30 seconds.  That was it.

I guess rally does not equate to substance.  Caveat emptor.

I am absolutely astonished that this was all that this event provided.  There was a petition, campaign literature, bumper stickers, and the like.  There were plenty of road signs outside.  But not to even address those who showed up as a group is unbelievable!

The two gentlemen who sat to my right were equally dumbfounded.  “Is that it?” Bob asked.  I chimed in that it appeared so.  I had a bemused smirk on my face.  I just cannot believe these politicians did not take the opportunity to say something.

To Asselta’s credit, he circulated the room and even addressed me.  I believe it was Jessica Deckard who was his shadow all evening.

The room’s audience had decreased slightly before Van Drew’s remarks.  After the remarks, many folks left, including yours truly.  The parking lot was a mess as there were state troopers about not directing traffic.  Asselta was outside speaking.  Across the street was an A-Class camper with a banner for Asselta, Clarm and Donohue.

I called home and explained my tardiness.  I did not expect this to have dragged on so long.  Wanting to hear something, I stuck it out.  Never again.

Also blogged on this date . . .

One Response to “Van Drew & Albano Disappointment”

  1. By Frank on Aug 12, 2007

    Bob,

    I would love to hear back from you in regards to this post. If you need me to post my email address let me know. If not, drop me a line.

    Best,

    Frank

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