(VINELAND July 20) – First District Senator Nick Asselta - in response to Democrat Jeff Van Drew's request for an apology about an inadverant mistake in a press release on July 11 – offered the following:

"On July 11, 2007, I sent out a press release that contained an inadvertant mistake and I apologize for that", Asselta said. "Democrat Jeff Van Drew's recent demand for an apology takes away from the real issue at hand…the fact that on June 21, 2007 Jeff voted to give the Governor a BLANK CHECK for ' legal and engineering fees, financial advisors and other consultants and services associated with, as well as any other costs determined necessary in preparation for, the monetization, sale or lease of public assets' and he still has not apologized".

Asselta continued, "Jeff still has not apologized for giving the Governor a blank check to sell the toll roads, but that's not where Jeff's irresponsible behavior ended.   On July 9 Jeff's campaign sent out a flier to DELIBERATELY mislead voters of the First District into thinking he never voted to give Jon Corzine a blank check to sell our roads and we have yet to hear an apology. "

Additionally, in a July 14 article in the Press of Atlantic City Jeff said he "and Democratic running mate Nelson Albano unsuccessfully tried to have the lease language removed from the budget before it came up for a vote.   The motion failed". 

Senator Asselta explains, "This is yet another example of irresponsible behavior with Jeff Van Drew attempting to DELIBERATELY mislead the voters of the First District.   The amendment that failed to even come up for a vote was introduced by a Republican Assemblywoman from Monmouth County, Jennifer Beck and was called the Beck Amendment, not the Van Drew Amendment."   Asselta continued, "Assistant Majority Leader Jeff Van Drew is attempting again to take credit where he is due none.  As a Trenton Democrat LEADER Jeff Van Drew could have easily moved to have the blank check to Jon Corzine removed from the budget but instead he sat on his hands and fell in line with the Democratic majority in giving the Governor what he wanted."

Finally, Asselta concluded "Jeff got the apology he wanted from me, now it's time we get three apologies from him.   Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones, Jeff.  The constituents of the First District deserve an apology from Trenton Democrat Jeff Van Drew…I won't be holding my breath".  

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PAID FOR BY ASSELTA CLARK DONOHUE