November 4, 2008: The Waiting Is Over!

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30

Ledger: Hillside Man will drive folks to vote

Filed Under Election 2008, In The News, Jerome Jewell | Leave a Comment

Said Dems ‘doing nothing’ for Obama

Thursday, October 30, 2008

BY JASON JETT

Star-Ledger Staff

George Cook III of Hillside yesterday said he is just another citizen concerned about local issues and the global economy, and is determined to help elect Barack Obama president.

Even if he has to drive voters to the polls in his own car, he said.

Cook said he was bothered, however, when he looked around and saw township officials “doing nothing” in the weeks before what has been described as the most-important-ever presidential election.

“I would like to know what the Hillside Democratic Party is doing to help Barack Obama win this election,” he said. “I am really wondering have they done anything. No rallies, no fundraisers, no voter registration drives. Nothing. I find this pretty odd, especially in a predominantly black town.”

Councilman-at-large Jerome Jewell responded the Hillside Democratic Municipal Committee has been busy of late.

“As we speak I am dropping off signs,” he said yesterday afternoon. “I just left Clark Street. Most signs you see up in town have been put up by myself and the rest of the Democratic Party.

“We’ve been working every day, and are having a car parade Saturday,” he added.

Jewell said Cook may not have seen the extent of the HDMC’s activism because members have attended rallies in Elizabeth, Roselle and Newark.

He added knocking on doors is not as practical as during spring elections because residents work during the day and are reluctant to answer after dark.

Second Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates was a delegate-alternate for the Democratic presidential nominee, and is an official of New Jersey for Obama.