It was billed as a town hall meeting with Robert Ehrlich to discuss senior citizen issues, but the get-together at the Ateaze Senior Center quickly morphed into a campaign stop.
Not that anyone in attendance had a problem with that.
Ehrlich talked to the crowd in a way grandparents most certainly do, first providing updates on his boys.
“Josh is 2 now. He had some health issues when he was born, as you know, that scared his parents to death, but he?s fine now,” Ehrlich said. “And Drew is 6, just completed his first year of Little League. I was the third-base coach ? not that anyone listened to me.”
The last line brought laughs, and the governor, running for a second term against Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley, played up his blue-collar Arbutus roots, his relationship to recently deceased John Arnick, a Dundalk institution in the state house and had the seniors nodding their heads in agreement before he touched on an issue.
Ehrlich explained his position on Baltimore Gas & Electric and described his plan as pro-consumer. He blamed Senate President Thomas “Mike” Miller for blocking slots, very popular with the retired set, and threw shots at Baltimore schools.
Then he took a few softball questions before a woman stood up and nearly in tears as she said, “I really believe Gov. Ehrlich is the best governor we ever had, and I pray he gets re-elected.”
Ehrlich left with 75 seniors rising to offer heartfelt applause.
“He?s a really down-to-earth man,” said Janet Cruz, who came with her husband, Agusto, retired from the Navy.
Ehrlich said he looked forward to debating O?Malley on transportation, crime and schools ? and took some cracks at Miller.
“Mike Miller is transparent, partisan and angry and he has been since Nov. 5, 2002,” Ehrlich said. “He has an anger management problem. I think needs to take advantage of the professional help that is available.”
Ehrlich?s feistiness played well in Dundalk.
“I?m a Democrat,” said Joe Kolarik, a former union printer, “and I didn?t vote for him last time. But he tells it like it is, he?s not trying to hide behind anything and I like that.”
