Congressman Andy Harris Visits Safeway Wednesday

It was a typical day at the Safeway store on Benfield Road on Wednesday morning as early shoppers streamed into the store  while others stopped to grab a cup of coffee at the Starbucks Cafe. 

Unusual though was a table set-up at the entrance to the produce section with a laptop whizzing and quite a few suited gentlemen waiting for their boss, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)  who arrived shortly after 9:30 a.m. for a "Congressman on the Corner" one-hour stop-in to chat with constituents.

Nearby was Safeway's Greg Ten Eyck, director of the store's public affairs department who was there to welcome Harris and his entourage. "I think the grocery store is like the village square," said Ten Eyck. "It's a win-win for the customers and the elected official."

Safeway also hosts "celebrity baggers" at their stores, elected officials who, said Ten Eyck, enjoy the chance to mingle and talk to the shoppers so much that they come back year after year.

David Zwald of Severna Park and a Harris supporter, stopped-in to "take-in what's going on in congress-it's been a busy first couple of weeks," he said.

The growing commotion at the entrance to the produce area slowly started to attract the attention of shoppers. Some stopped to ask the congressman a question, others who had food shopping on their minds, just kept going.

"It's been a busy two months," said Harris. "The main focus is getting us out of our debt crisis. Then to turn our attention to the debt ceiling - our plate is full."

"I'm thrilled to death that he's taken the time to do this," said Marge Acree, a member of the Severna Park Republican Women's Club who stopped by to show her support for his visit to the store.

Area resident Denise Halstead, an employee with Delta Airlines but currently working out of Iowa, arrived just before Harris.  She was in a rush to get to another event but she left a message  with an aide to deliver to the congressman concerning her views on unions.