Posted on 09/09/2001 8:50:59 PM PDT by Politico2
Facing a 19-point deficit in the polls, former Mayor Bret Schundler, the state's Republican candidate for the November gubernatorial election, entered the final 10 weeks of his campaign in a self-dubbed "Jersey City Success Bus Tour" that highlighted concrete examples of his accomplishments in office. But the tour's success was shaky, as a group of anti-Schundler protesters greeted the bus at each stop to highlight the flaws of his administration with signs and chants.
Signs that said, "Thanks for the $23 million debt" or "We won't allow you to do to the state what you did to Jersey City!" bobbed up and down as Schundler and his supporters boarded and exited the bus. The protesters were part of a local chapter of a national grass-roots organization called Associations of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). One member, Daryn Martin, continued to shout "Let's talk about tax abatements, Bret!" in Schundler's face.
Schundler supporters, which included a handful of people campaigning for the positions in the state legislature under the Republican ticket from areas outside of Hudson County, counteracted the protests with cheers and their own signs. However, the tension between the two groups did little to unnerve Schundler, who repeatedly said that he had met this type of opposition on his way to two electoral victories.
Beginning in Journal Square and ending on the edge of the waterfront, Schundler called attention to many of the projects that took place during his administration and conveyed the message that, if elected, he intends to facilitate the replication of these projects in cities throughout the state. As the benefits of private investment in Jersey City's business districts appeared self-evident, Schundler spent most of the day discussing how his administration improved the lives of Jersey City's low-income residents by showcasing affordable housing projects and charter schools.
Stopping at Bergenview, an affordable housing project on 654 Bergen Ave., Schundler told how his administration had facilitated a partnership between Hope 6 and the Doe Fund, two non-profit organizations, to refurbish the former YMCA building. Working with other groups, such as Head Start, the facility serves as a drug-rehabilitation center as well as a job-placement resource for homeless individuals seeking help to re-enter the job market. Costing $13 million, the renovated structure consists of 131 single-room units of affordable housing. Schundler said he created 2,600 total units of affordable housing during his administration. He stressed the importance of providing affordable housing in cities as a prohibitive measure to stunt urban sprawl.
Later on, the tour stopped at Lafayette Village, a project still under development, which is referred to as a mixed-income development. The 124 units being built in the 32 buildings will be divided into market-rate units and low-income units in an effort to create a diverse community, according to developer David A. Dumey, vice president of McCormack Baron & Associates.
Continuing on the path of upward mobility, the tour stopped for lunch at the Ponderosa on Martin Luther King Drive, a new business that adorns the one-time economically deserted area of Jersey City. Former Ward F Councilwoman Melissa Holloway discussed how plans for revitalizing the Martin Luther King Drive area had been in the works for over two decades, but came to fruition under Schundler's administration. Holloway also commended the partnership between the community and the government on the MLK revitalization efforts, calling attention to the fact that the city won two awards from the National American Planning Association.
"Because Bret has the knowledge of putting this project together, he can do this across the state," Holloway said.
The Ponderosa is one part of the MLK Plaza, which also houses Citimarkets, the first supermarket in the area. Schundler also noted that the owners of these establishments were African-American, a sign, he said, that the economic growth of Jersey City has helped a diverse group of people.
"We were losing population and jobs," Schundler said, referring to the Jersey City he inherited during his first term. "Now we're the fastest growing city in New Jersey."
After lunch, Schundler's bus traveled to the Golden Door Charter School, the school he founded. But critics, such as Jersey City resident and CPA Mia Scanga, founder of a web site against Schundler, cite the school's poor test scores. Schundler said the it takes three years for a Charter School to get off the ground.
Schundler has continued to voice his support his support for charter schools and said that as governor, he would work hard to create charter-like schools within the public school buildings. In such a program, the Board of Education would only have to supply 80 percent of the students' tuition as opposed to the 90 percent given to students who attend charter schools, and the remaining 20 percent would come from the state. Ultimately, he said, he wants the public school system to work like a charter school in how it spends its money. In Schundler's opinion, charter schools work better because the majority of the money is spent in the classroom, as opposed to what he sees as an inflated bureaucracy in the public school system.
When confronted with the stark reality of his deficit in the race against Democratic rival James McGreevey, he was quick to remind people that he had faced this opposition before and had been victorious. He reminded everyone that he was down by 30 percent at this point in the primary election.
Schundler attributed the big spread to a simple fact: name recognition. "Who's not on board?" Schundler asked rhetorically. "People who don't know me." ©The Jersey City Reporter 2001
Gee, Democrats protesting a Republican speech? Why, I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!
This is what kills me about the liberal media. They act as if these "protesters" showed up due to some moral outrage, when, in fact, the majority of them are simply a part of the usual DemocRat rent-a-mob that no doubt has been following Schundler to all of his appearances. Presenting fiction as fact, which is what the leftist media does to a "t".
I believe it was somewhat validated by a second poll showing a 19-20 point deficit. But it cracks me up, because I certainly haven't seen ANY recent mention of the two polls showing Bret down by only 13 (RV) and 9 (LV) points.
He's not slowing down, and I admire that. And I'm happy to see that folks on FR are starting to get fired up again. Schundler can certainly still win this thing, but he's going to need our money and our volunteer efforts.
When Schundler does tighten it up, I'm sure the press will have a sorts of negative excuses.
'Go Bret Go' BRUMP!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.