PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO FREEHOLD:

Employees brace for visit
Home News Tribune Online 03/28/08

By MICHAEL DIAMOND
GANNETT NEW JERSEY

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Novadebt employees milled outside their office this morning as security conducted a sweep inside in advance of President Bush's visit this afternoon.

Novadebt employees milled outside their office this morning as security conducted a sweep inside in advance of President Bush's visit this afternoon. They watched as security patrolled the area and bomb sniffing dogs checked cars. They were summoned back into the office about 11:30 a.m., but first went through a metal detector to get back to their desk.

'You prepare when you know about it. You're given some guidelines. But what can you say?" said Joel Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of Novadebt, standing outside this morning as security conducted a sweep. "The President of the United States is coming to our business and is going to meet our employees. It's very exciting."

Freehold Township-based Novadebt is a credit counseling service that helps consumers that have found themselves deep in debt. It is part of Hope Now, a consortium of credit counselors that Bush has advocated to help home owners facing foreclosure.

Employees said the entire week has been a bit surreal. Normally, they said, it's just them, some geese and a groundhog in the parking lot. They watched helicopters earlier this week land in preparation. They were told they couldn't bring fruit with them today, along with other items that would get seized if they were walking through airport security. Then they were told not to talk to the media out of security concerns.

Greenberg said he's tried to keep the week business as usual, but admitted it wasn't easy as advance handlers went about their work. "I don't think we know what to expect," Greenberg said. "We knew the President is coming. The rest of this, every minute is new."