Meeting Bloomfield's GOP Congressman at "Meet the Mayors"

Six local Chambers of Commerce joined the League of Women Voters of the Montclair area as hosts of the annual “Meet the Mayors” Breakfast from on Saturday, March 22 at the Crane’s Mill assisted living complex in West Caldwell Mayors were invited from 22 communities within Essex County as well as Little Falls and Clifton. About a dozen showed up including Bloomfield's new mayor who was invited to sit at the congressman's table.

Many were there to network with local political leaders and Chamber members. Essex County Executive Joe De Vincenzo gave some brief welcoming remarks before taking early leave to make 3 more previously scheduled campaign stops.

One of the event's many sponsors, PSE&G, made a brief statement reassuring everyone that there was nothing to be concerned about regarding it's local natural gas line expansion projects.

 U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen of NJ's 11th District was the keynote speaker and introduced himself to me the minute I entered the room.

Although he wouldn't commit to conducting a Town Hall meeting in Bloomfield.  he seemed to be considering the possibility.
Later on, he did not hesitate to speak his mind on a variety of subjects including the impact of The Affordable Care Act on New Jersey. While he has always opposed the legislation, he acknowledged that it has had 3 years to take root and cannot be repealed. Many local health care advocates were in attendance and addressed issues that could improve its effectiveness.

Among other topical issues he addressed were the Russian annexation of Ukraine and the National Security Agency(NSA). He responded to an attendee's question of concern for the NSA's surveillance expansion with a vigorous defense of it's role in defending the U/S. from terrorism.

 Congressman Frelinghuysen represents 54 municipalities, including communities in Morris, Sussex, Passaic and Essex Counties. He is serving his tenth term in Congress.