This past Saturday, I sat down with Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula to conduct a video interview. Part 1 was posted on Blue Jersey here. Part 2 appears below the fold.
Following the interview, I met with the Assemblyman and his press aide for over an hour for an off-the-record discussion of New Jersey politics and other topics. I don't know if there's a word in Hindi or Punjabi for "mensch", but I came away realizing that the assemblyman from Central Jersey is one. He may not have the pizzazz that some of his colleagues exhibit, but I believe he has a passion for service, both in his legislative life and his "civilian" profession - developing learning software for autistic kids. He may be the first Indian-American to serve in the New Jersey legislature, but his concerns transcend ethnic boundaries.
The issues surrounding energy and telecommunications are complex - from both a scientific and economic point of view. As chair of the Telecom and Utilities Committee, Chivukula understands that while jobs may be the number one priority for the state, without reliable, cheap energy and telecom infrastructure, the jobs will not come. Chivukula has agreed to write diaries to help Blue Jersey navigate the acronyms and jargon and to become more informed readers and voters. Stay tuned.
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