Albano in love with job

Friday, November 02, 2007
By MATT DUNN
mdunn@sjnewsco.com

Assemblyman Nelson Albano said he's accomplished more than he expected to in his first term in the state Assembly.

Albano, who is running for re-election this year on a Democratic slate with newcomer Matt Milam, of Vineland, has served as vice chairman of both the state agricultural committee and the state law and public safety committee.

In an interview with the News, Albano said he's fallen in love with the job.

"Every day, you get to make a difference in many people's lives," he remarked, but added, "It's also a lot more difficult than I thought, because you see the amount of problems that are not on the state level, but on the local level. People need a lot of help."

Albano said one project he's committed himself to is the Garden State Preservation Trust.

Voters are being asked in this year's election to vote to borrow $200 million from the state to keep the trust functioning for the next year.

The Garden State Preservation Trust, in part, funds farmland preservation.

"People are saying, is it necessary? I believe it is. We are losing farmland by the thousand of acres every year. We need development, but we need farmland. If we lose (farmland), it's gone forever. If it's developed, we'll never be able to get that farmland back," he said.

Albano said he's also interested in health care, and wants to make it more affordable for small businesses to provide their employees with health insurance.

"If each business would be able to provide some health care, we wouldn't have 1.4 million people without insurance," he remarked.

Albano wants to provide incentives for local doctors to care for Medicaid patients, which right now can cost their businesses money.

"The cost of health care is so high because people who have no insurance and get colds, viruses and the flu go to the emergency room," he said. "The cost is so high, it's enormous. We need to increase the number of local clinics."

Milam shares many of Albano's visions.

Milam, who owns Foundry Service Corporation, a trucking company in Vineland his family has owned since the 1950s, wants to bring a "street level view of business" to the state Assembly.

"I'd like to bring some common sense and accountability," he remarked in an interview with the News. "I'd like to bring some fresh ideas."

Milam wants to help the state become smarter in spending.

In his business, which specializes in hauling sand, one of the things that benefits in dealing with vendors is paying them quicker to receive the best pricing.

Milam said he was approached about running for state Assembly by Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, who is currently campaigning against incumbent Republican State Sen. Nick Asselta.

"(Van Drew) wanted a guy with a business background in Trenton," Milam said.

Milam, who serves on the board of directors for the Vineland YMCA, first met Van Drew when he was attempting to renegotiate a $900,000 loan for the YMCA from the state casino board.

Through negotiations with the state at the Urban Enterprise Zone, he was able to save the YMCA $300,000.

Milam said he is a firm believer in the state being able to help local business owners.

Even when the state makes decisions that are potentially harmful to local businesses, he tries to see the big picture, such as forcing truck drivers to use environmentally-friendly "green fuel," which wound up costing his business money.

"You can shake your head, but when you dissect it, you realize that it's for the greater good," Milam said. "The state takes industry's views. They take rights groups' views. I really look forward to working with them. I look forward to giving them views they haven't seen before, and them giving me views I haven't seen before."

Both Albano and Milam agree there's a lot of work to be done, as far as property tax reform.

Rebates being offered by the state this year, which Republicans have classified as "reform," are merely temporary relief, according to Albano.

"We are in a fiscal crisis, but it took 15 years to get to this state," said Albano, who was first elected two years ago. "We have had some reform. We put a cap on municipal spending."

Albano said he supports Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to trim back state government by 10 percent in the next four years.

"Last year. I saw us headed in the right direction (as far as property tax reform), but it's not something that's going to be cured in one year. It'll take four or five years to get back on the path we need to be," he said.

Milam said he'd like to help the state renegotiate some of its bonds.

If anything gives Milam and Albano a boost in this year's elections, it's their every-man personas.

Milam, who's married and has two daughters, is a local businessman.

Albano is a shop steward and 25-year member of the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

In spite of the overwhelming problems of the state, Albano will never forget what got him involved in politics -- the death of his son, Michael.

Michael was 19 when he was killed in 2001 by a drunk driver.

His death led to the passage of Michael's Law, which stiffened penalties for repeat drunk drivers.

Albano said he's always been upfront with his constituents, and plans to continue being that way if re-elected.

"I promised my constituents, and gave them everything that I said I would that I would work hard and dedicate myself to the job," he said. "I have given them integrity, honesty and compassion."

Milam said he wants to do the same.

"My perception is I go up there and do what's for the best," he said.

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