Whatever your cause, you get my respect if you step into the political arena to take real action, you get my respect! And today, blog buddy Jeff Belonger earned mine.
Jeff spoke at a rally to support legislation that, if passed and signed by President Bush, would save the down payment assistance programs. And he speaks well. Very well, in fact.
He shared his experiences with these programs in his own mortgage business, with facts and figures to demonstrate that these programs did not cause of the mortgage crisis.
I think Jeff can teach all of us about the old "doing well and doing good" work ethic.
After the rally, we drove to Old Town in my unstaged car and had lunch with Brian Block, who missed the rally. He opted instead for the McCain/Palin rally. I was really disappointed in him!
And Brian and Jeff both got to experience my unstaged car first hand. I think they're still laughing!
Update: Hey All! Yes, Jeff does clean up real good. Unlike my car. Here is Brian Block experienceing the back seat!
Jeff looks like he belongs! I think he needs a bigger podium, though, and maybe a more official looking seal.
BTW, I think we should do up T-shirts for Brian and friends that say "Free Levi" (let the poor kid go back to huntin' in the great white north - with the "in-laws to be", of course) I bet he wishes he had stayed home that particular night!
Thank you Jeff, for stepping up! Saving the down payment assistance program is very important to our market here in Florida.
Patricia- you are such a gal to drive him around! I can't wait til I get to drive in your car, will you take me to the McCain/Palin rally?:)
Great job! We need more people like you!
I agree with Katerina, Thank you Jeff!! I have heard that there was a chance for the program to be re-looked at. That would be a tough one though to miss a McCain/Palin rally so I can't totally blame Brian.
Yeah, why was that podium so small? And I saw Jeff's slot was only 10 minutes. How did he talk for "only" 10 minutes?
Ken, Jeff was very Senatorial looking. If we can find him a pretty wife, it could work! He's a really good speaker! And poor Levi! He knocked up the wring teenager!
Katerina, I think of Brian as the son I forgot to have, and I must admit that today I was afraid I raised him wrong! But that's what children do sometimes! They rebel! And you love them anyway! And for you, this Obama Girl would go to a McCain/Palin rally!
Dinah, I agree with you! He really stepped up!
Marchel, what? What? No, you go to hear Jeff! He's more eloquent than either presidential candidate, except maybe Ron Paul!
Donna, Jeff's a big guy! It's not easy to find the right podium for him!
Patricia - He looks, dare I say... distinguished;-) Kudos for standing up for something he believes in. Hopefully, his speech was taped so we can dissect every word share his insight and passion for that program and this business.
Kick Kick Kick. That is me kicking myself. My family decided to inform me the night before the rally that their flight back to Denver was out of Dulles at 2PM not 8 PM. Arrggggh. So no matter how I tried to spin it there was no way to get downtown for the rally. I talked to Jeff on the phone today and took my lumps :-(
Jason, he did look very distinguished! And we'll have to check u-tube. I think it was taped.
It's wonderful that he went down there to give his insights and time for something he believes in. I'm waiting for the video though, because that picture of him at the podium looks like he's in your backyard, lol!;-)
Cindy, your excuse is so much not lame like Brian going to a McCain Palin ralley instead of Jeff's. You may get another chance in a week or so.
And Matt, he's in the nation's back yard! It was held in a park adjascent to the Capitol.
Patricia, I was going to head down to DC today and I had one of those days where if it could go wrong, it did, then it was fixed. I am going to come down next week, hopefully Jeff and you will be down next week. Good pictures!!
Patricia - Hats off to Jeff for standing up for something he believes in! And he doesn't look nervous at all.
Pat - you're right. We have to admire those who advocate for their beliefs. I remember your unstaged car and that was a great experience! Come see us in Florida.
Patricia, When did you change your picture?
Hi Patricia;
Great post and this would be great news for the real estate market.
Anthony
Pat, it was great to get together with you and Jeff this afternoon for lunch and that's a great photo of the very distinguished looking Mr. Belonger.
Great post Pat - we need more people like Jeff to stand up and get things done! Hopefully, it will do something for the market.
Patricia,
Jeff reminds me of the separated at birth twin of Governor Ed Rendell!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
P.S. Brian made the right choice...the higher ground!
Jeff looks great and I hope we see positive things as a result of his efforts. I can see why Brian did what he did, but to miss a fellow Rainer? An unstaged car just makes you more of a real person!
So how big was the crowd?
Wow... Jeff sure looks good in that suit! I would have liked to listen to him talk over the other political ones.....and least this one would have had substance :) ;)
Pat you were supposed to stage that thing yesterday morning - glad to see a report - Jeff and I had a long conversation about his speaking - so glad he did well
It is always cool when non-politicos get involved in politics.
Steve
Good for Jeff. He knows his stuff. I would like to learn more. I thought down payment assistance was called parents lol.
Pat, Is there some club that when you reach 300,000 points on activerain your face gets cut in half?
I think Ken has 'podium envy'
;-)
WTG Jeff!!
Pat.... it was great to see you and Brian the traiter yesterday. lol Seriously, it was good to see the both of you. I didn't get home until about 3 am this morning, so it was a very long day. Thanks for coming out, the support, and for putting this together. Talk to you soon ...
First I would like to thank you for supporting the program and for taking time to participate in the rally. I personaly have watched the video on www.dpagroundswells.org and felt that you did a fine job. Having an active lender up there speaking, carried a lot of because your speaking about real life experiences. We need more people like you, that are active in the real estate market, to stand up and support what is right. Helping people get to off of the rental plantations is essential to the housing market. Please support HR 6694 to save DPA. Everyone's support is needed now.
Jeff Reagan
Northeast Account Manger for Nehemiah
jreagan@getdownpayment.com
First I would like to thank you for supporting the program and for taking time to participate in the rally. I personaly have watched the video on www.dpagroundswells.org and felt that you did a fine job. Having an active lender up there speaking, carried a lot of because your speaking about real life experiences. We need more people like you, that are active in the real estate market, to stand up and support what is right. Helping people get to off of the rental plantations is essential to the housing market. Please support HR 6694 to save DPA. Everyone's support is needed now.
Jeff Reagan
Northeast Account Manger for Nehemiah
jreagan@getdownpayment.com
Pat, thanks for adding that picture of me to the bottom of the post! That backseat really is something!
Patricia- Woohoo! I am on my way!
Pat - You're like me again - you use your car as a giant purse! Thanks Jeff! Brian sure looks like he is having fun - is it the effect of being with you or was it Sarah Palin that got him all excited?
Pat... thanks for adding the picture... what a hoot....
@ Carol.... it was Sarh Palin, hence why he skipped my speaking at the rally.
It was one of those days that I was tied up and things don't go as planned. Time Management and Scheduling is something that I am still working on. Hopefully I will be there next time.
Patricia - looks like it was a fun as well as productive get together. Good for you, thank you all for speaking up for the rest of us!
I followed the link included in the "Mortgage Week In Review" by Tom Buris to this post. Your right Jeff does clean up well... Looks very professional in these pictures. Anyway, thank you Janet for sharing this post and thank you Jeff for advocating for all of us in this industry!
Pat--Nice post about Jeff! He really stepped up. Nice of you to attend...Fun meeting AR people isn't it?