Dear Editor:
I would like to comment on Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler’s offensive assessment regarding the New Jersey State Police response to the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Schundler is quoted as saying of the troopers that they "didn’t do much of anything, they just sat there." To the individuals who are unfamiliar with Bret Schundler, this comment appears to be an inadvertent slip of the tongue by a well-meaning but misinformed candidate for governor. However, to those of us who have extensive experience with Bret Schundler, it is just another example of candidate Schundler’s persistent hostile relations with any police agency.
Candidate Schundler however, has misjudged the public opinion with regard to law enforcement agencies in general and the new found public appreciation that these agencies now enjoy as a result of their selfless response to this tragic event. Candidate Schundler is now trying to do damage control and is attempting to back peddle on his comment. It takes a lot of gaul on Schundler’s part to criticize the work of those who were involved in the rescue/recovery effort especially when our beloved candidate for governor Bret Schundler was out of the country as the events unfolded.
As a participant in the rescue/recovery effort on both sides of the river and near ground zero, I personally witnessed the commendable efforts on the part of the workers which included New Jersey State Troopers. One thing that I must say was conspicuously absent again was candidate Bret Schundler who as usual was out of town again. Candidate Schundler has a reputation here in Jersey City for being out of town, and I would like to take this opportunity to point out that Bret is not as loved here in Jersey City and in Hudson County as he would like the public to believe. The citizens of New Jersey can expect the same from Bret if he is elected governor when he trots around the country collecting votes for president.
On a positive note I would like to say that on two consecutive days when I disembarked from the boat coming back from the World Trade Center ruins I was greeted by Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Jim McGreevey who was there handing out refreshments to the returning emergency workers. I would like to thank candidate McGreevey for having the decency to make an appearance, roll up his sleeves and help out. As for candidate Schundler, if we are unfortunate enough to have him elected governor, the people of New Jersey can do the same thing the citizens of Jersey City had to do, put his picture on a milk carton. That is, if we really want to find him!
Mark S. Cowan
Jersey City POBA Member