The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 88

or or -o 1 THE RECORD LIVING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2004 0 STAFF PHOTO BY CARMINE GALASSO "My agenda," says Paul Shambroom, "is to show the process of democracy as a real thing that happens every day all across the country." At left, his photograph of a meeting of the board of selectmen in Buckland, July 22, 1999. At right, Shambroom eyeing one of his large-print photos at the Julie Saul Gallery. Photographer: her: Focuses on the faces of small-town From Page F-1 the tableau kind of presented in front of me, I knew it was really a much more fruitful direction for me to go in. Instead of doing the biggest of the big, I was going to concentrate on the smallest of the small. Q.

Why did you choose to focus on the small? A couple of reasons. One is that the decisions they make directly impact their constituents in a way that's very essential. If someone wants a stop sign put on the end of their block, it really impacts them in a very direct way. It seemed like the leadership process and the process of democracy kind of boiled down to its most essential qualities. Q.

Did you learn anything about municipal government? Did you answer any of your own questions about power on a small scale? I think as an artist, I'd rather have the viewer read them as they want to read them. Q. You have the Chicago Reader discussing the "warm humanism" of the photographs and you have the Chicago Tribune, which said the photos showed an America that is "a wasteland, almost unremittingly bleak." How do you account for these different reacbutions? A. I think it's wonderful they -can be read both ways I've heard people say when they look at these photographs: "They look like such crooks. I'm sure they're all crooks." Because that's how SOCIAL SECURITY Q.

Why does my Social Security statement include an age 70 estimate? I thought that once I turn my full retirement age, I could take my benefits even if I am still working. You are right. And most people who are still working when they reach full retirement age claim their Social Security retirement benefits at that point. But you can choose to delay the start of your benefits until age 70 and collect a higher benefit. Those who do that get "delayed retirement credits" added to their basic Social Security benefit rate.

For those born in 1935 or later, that credit is between 6 percent and 8 percent per year, depending on year of birth. Q. I want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, but I don't know if I would qualify because I own a home. This house was left to me by my parents, but I cannot afford my utilities or groceries, and I cannot work because of my disability. Can I still get SSI? For SSI purposes, the things that you own, or resources, cannot be valued at more than $2,000.

However, the house that you live in is not counted as a resource. So it is possible for you to get SSI, even if you own a home. Of course, you must file an application and a decision must be made about your disabling condition. This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For answers to Social Security questions, contact the agency toll-free at (800) 772-1213.

Furry PETS Check the CLASSIFIED they feel about government. And some people see these as exemplifying the greatest ideals of democracy. They're heroic somehow. Q. So you see these as neutral mirrors you're holding up to Americans? In a sense.

I won't pretend I don't have an agenda. My agenda is to show the process of democracy as a real thing that happens every day all across the country. To take it out of the realm of abstraction. To show they're real people: It's the good, the bad and the ugly. My hope is it will cause people to think about their role in I I I I I I I I I heard anecdotally a lot of people decided to run for office because they had an issue previously they'd come to the council with and either became excited about the process or they thought, "I can do better than these clowns." I think everyone should have to go to these meetings at least once in their life, as a school project or a democracy.

Q. Did you speak with the officials, get any sense of why they were doing what they were doing? politically as a kid. For a brief riod I was president of the council in high something. Q. Do you think suburban New Jersey had any influence on your choice of subjects? Oh, definitely.

I was involved and I was also the student resentative to the board of education. I'm really not very good at meetings. I tended to be just kind of a troublemaker, in meetings throughout my life. I don't do them anymore. And I recognized myself in these meetings.

There are different people that play different roles. There is the leader who either leads through bullying or charisma. There's the thoughtful listener, and the troublemaker who was me. The conciliator who tries to bring the people together. Q.

You were the troublemaker and now you're the documentarian. Now I'm the observer. Q. Can you expand some more on the link between nuclear weapons and town meetings? pe- spoken, un-shown student hanging at our side. school influences how we rep- rest of the world.

It's another expression of power. It's an expression of uniquely American power. A lot of photographers head off into the Third World or the part of America that is considered "the other" the underprivileged, or different cultures that aren't part of their own. I'm basically a privileged, college-educated white guy and this is my privilege: democracy and the nuclear weapons structure. It's kind of the basis of power in the United States.

Nuclear weapons are the underpinning. It's always the un- The Record HERALDNEWS AND ASP KNOWN FOR LONGEVITY, QUALITY AND are co-sponsoring this feature to highlight those people who have also reached or surpassed their 100 year milestone birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: RAYMOND VAN NOORDT OF WAYNE Celebrated his 100th Birthday September 17,2004 plus If you, or your loved one is 100 years old or older and wish to be acknowledged in this feature please send us: Name of person Residence, town Birthdate Photo (optional) Yes I No Name, address, and home and day phone of person submitting info to: North Jersey Media Group 1 Garret Mountain West Paterson NJ 07424 or e-mail info to: If questions please call 201-646-4779 or 973-569-7487 Q. But you're at the other end of the spectrum now, with meetings. Well, it's also kind of invisible.

People just don't go out and see it. It's right there but people don't bother to go apathy or fear or disdain. I really feel a lot of affection and respect for the subjects. Whether their motivations conduct in office were good corrupt or altruistic, I still we owe a certain amount spect to anyone who steps the plate, rather than just or plain. or think E-mail: Wedding? Anniversary? Engagement? New Baby? Milestone Birthday? Graduation? Special Occasion? Share your good news with a Celebration Announcement in The Record NEWS "Celebrations" publishes every Sunday in The Record and Herald News and on our web site www.northjersey.com SAMPLES and PRICING: Engagements Weddings Special Occasions, etc: $48 2 inch minimum $96 2 inch minimum photo $24 additional text per inch ($6 per quarter inch) Birth Announcements: Half Price Special $24 2 inch minimum $48 2 inch minimum photo $12 additional text per inch ($3 per quarter inch) Note: 8 lines per inch.

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