A Fine Kettle of Fish

My grandmother would have said of today’s political climate that we are in a “fine kettle of fish” and I can’t find anyone in our country, state or county who would disagree with her.
At the state level there are six people who are running for office from our district who want to help get us out of that disagreeable kettle. We all know what our problems are but few of us have solutions. We gripe and lament but don’t know where to turn to change things.
I am extremely grateful to all six of the people who put themselves out on a very dangerous limb to say “I think I can help — Vote for me because I want to make our state a better place.”
On Oct. 16, some of the Herald staff and I met them. Though I am very familiar with the candidates, I was meeting some of them for the first time. I did not get to say that afternoon but very much felt was how impressed I was by their desire to serve. From Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, Kristine Gabor and Sam Fiocchi to Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Assemblymen Bob Andrzejczak and Nelson Albano.
Each of them chose to seek your vote knowing that no campaign is a walk in the park. They knew that their motives and actions would be dissected and magnified like a germ under a microscope. Ouch! Which one of us could happily bear such scrutiny? Yet there they were sitting before the Herald interview panel willing to put it all out there.
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My impressions of the candidates
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The Republican team appeared first. They gamely answered the 10 prepared questions and Editor Al Campbell has assembled their answers for you on page XX. While Al did the newspaper’s analysis, my husband, Art, asked me to write my personal impressions. I have done so with the hope that together with Al’s work, you voters will have one more aid in making your decisions.
Adelizzi-Schmidt presented an extremely professional appearance and a wiry energy that would serve us well as a state senator and behind that appearance is a woman with a plan. Her platform is jobs! jobs! jobs! She has backed up that passion with a well-developed approach to making that happen, and I am convinced that she is capable of doing so.
Gabor is a woman who exudes warmth and a quiet confidence. Her desire to serve and her honest demeanor causes me to think that she could navigate as our assemblywoman in a room of mostly men of the other party. Trust is the operative word, and I felt that I could trust her to do the right thing even though others might disagree with her.
Fiocchi talked of his business experience and perseverance in hard times.
Later in the afternoon the three Democrats came, and of the six candidates they are the ones I am most familiar with. For years I have admired Van Drew’s ability to be in two or three places at one time. It must be magic because I don’t know how he does it. He has been a tireless advocate for South Jersey and I know from experience with him that he is a man of integrity.
One time my husband asked for his help in a New Jersey Press Association legislative matter which at first the senator disagreed with. He made no apology for seeing the matter differently but with further study, he came to the Press Association’s point of view and helped with the legislation. Because of the senator’s principled stand on this issue and Art’s long-term observance of him as a political figure, Art has a strong positive view of the senator.
In my opinion, Van Drew is an excellent legislator, but his team is weak. Mr. Albano has suffered a tragedy in the loss of his son as has . Andrzejczak in the loss of his leg. It is admirable that each took immeasurable losses and said, “I want to make a difference with my life.”
There are many ways for them to do so but I believe Andrzejczak needs more time to develop his understanding and education. Albano made a great mistake in falsely accusing the policeman of intimidation for which he apologized. Which one of us has not made grievous errors in our lives for which we need to be forgiven? I do believe that his false accusations indicate a need for more reflection and character growth.
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From the Bible
Brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just , all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Philippians 4: 8-9 (CEB)