Dear Editor:
It is tremendously important for people to vote for the strong, tough and responsible leader, Democrat Jim McGreevey for Governor. He represents mainstream views about our quality of life, and the conservative Republican Bret Schundler represents extremist attitudes. In a letter to the editor on October 21 ("an open letter"), Sean Connelly, former Mayor Schundler’s city corporation counsel, shamefully twisted the truth in his sickeningly disrespectful attack on Councilman Mariano Vega’s endorsement of Jim McGreevey (JC Reporter, 9/30).
Mr. Connelly started his defense of Schundler’s destructive plans to drain millions of dollars from the public schools by saying that "there weren’t any public schools at the time of the American Revolution." While attacking our terrific Councilman-at-large, who understands the value of youth recreation, Connelly fails to mention Schundler’s promotion of people’s right to carry concealed weapons. In a false assertion, Connelly says that Schundler’s opposition to abortion rights, even in the case of rape or incest, is mainstream and that being pro-choice is extremist.
I fully agree with Councilman Vega that Jim McGreevey shares his and the vast majority’s consensus for a green uncommercialized Liberty State Park. During the fight against the park golf course plan, Schundler told me and a few others in his office, that the golf course is needed to raise money, "just like he needs money for the police and firefighters." McGreevey was the only state legislator who joined Bob Menendez and Bernard Kenny in opposing the golf course. Schundler supported the park Development Corporation’s commercial waterpark plan until three days before the public hearing; during months of supporting it, he said that the waterpark would boost tourism in Hudson County and wouldn’t cause traffic jams.
I fully agree with Councilman Vega’s support of Jim McGreevey’s sensible priorities. Schundler would be a tool of the wealthy and of the extreme social conservatives.
Take a stand for our future and vote for Democrat McGreevey on November 6.
Sam Pesin