The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Seventh Congressional Update

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The New Jersey Committee for Life, based in North Plainfield, recently stated that Assemblyman Joel Weingarten (R21st), a candidate for the Seventh Congressional seat, misled voters about his position on abortion.

Candidates were asked their position recently to which Michael Ferguson of Warren stated he is ProLife while Tom Kean Jr. stated he was ProChoice. The Committee accused Mr. Weingarten of waffling on the issue.

When contacted, Patrick Morrisey,

who was not mentioned in the press release, said he is also prolife although he does support some exceptions for abortions.

* * * * *

Candidate Maryanne S. Connelly

has expressed her disappointment with the U. S. Congress for stalling on gun safety legislation.

Mrs. Connelly, a former Mayor of Fanwood, supports licensing and registration of all handguns. She favors mandatory background checks on gun show purchases, mandatory child safety locks for handguns and a ban on highcapacity ammunition clips.

* * * * *

Republican candidate Patrick Morrisey has called on Congress to pass meaningful finance reforms that

would improve the public’s confidence in the political and legislative process. Mr. Morrisey said as an election lawyer he would fight to have the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Department of Justice do a better job to enforce existing laws.

The candidate has said the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 limits individual contributions to $1,000 for federal elections, thus forcing money to go underground.

He proposes full disclosure of hard and soft money contributions; protecting union workers from being forced to make political contributions directly from their paychecks; lifting the $1,000 limit for candidates who have an opponent who has put in over $100,000 of their own money; prohibiting the transfer of campaign funds from one district to another.

He also said he would index the $1,000 limit to keep up with the rate of inflation. Mr. Morrisey also proposes an increase in the civil monetary and criminal penalties for candidates and fundraisers who break the law.

* * * * *

The 60 Plus Association, a national nonpartisan senior citizens group based in Arlington, Va., has presented Seventh Congressional District candidate Joel Weingarten

with an Honorary Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award. The award is presented to Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate who score 60 or over on a 100point scale. The test shows how the candidate would have voted had they been a member of Congress.

The organization has 1,100 seniors in the Seventh District and 13,000 statewide.

* * * * *

Union County’s largest trade union, Union Council No. 8 of the New Jersey Civil Service Association/ International Federation of Professional & Technical Employees, representing 900 county and some 600 state and municipal professional and technical civil service employees, has endorsed the Congressional candidacy of Democrat Michael Lapolla

of Westfield. Mr. Lapolla, Union County Manager, has also been supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters.

* * * * *

District 7 Update is a new weekly column regarding the Seventh Congressional District Primary to be held on Tuesday, June 6. All political news should be emailed to paul@ goleader. com

District 7 Candidates Report $1.5 Mil. Cash On Hand

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Seventh Congressional candidates have collectively raised over $2 million in their bids to replace Bob Franks in the House of Representatives. The candidates have $1.5 million remaining cash to wage their respective primary election battles in June.

The Federal Election Commission filings are for the April 15 quarterly report. The next reporting period is July 15.

On the Republican side, Michael Ferguson of Warren Township has raised the most to date with a total of $544,736, followed by Tom Kean Jr., $267,861; Patrick Morrisey, $213,674, and Joel Weingarten, $148,560.

During the January 1 to March 31 quarter, Mr. Kean raised the most money at $173,881, followed by Mr. Ferguson, $106,150; Mr. Morrisey, $105,374, and Mr. Weingarten, $32,624.

Mr. Ferguson of Warren, who has the county organizational lines in Somerset and Middlesex Counties, has the most cash on hand with $237,067; followed by Mr. Weingarten, a threeterm Assemblyman in the 21st Legislative District, $199,888; Mr. Morrisey, a former House Commerce Committee Counsel, $189,714; and Mr. Kean, the son of former Governor Thomas H. Kean and former staff member of Congressman Franks Washington office, $150,262.

Mr. Weingarten guaranteed his campaign a loan of $100,000. Mr. Morrisey listed a guaranteed loan of $8,850.

Guaranteed loans generally include some form of collateral, such as a second mortgage on a home or third party loans.

Green Brook Mayor Patricia Walsh raised $26,176 before dropping her Congressional bid. The candidate reported a guaranteed loan of $4,000 and additional loans of $1,320.

Ms. Walsh reported $14,710 cash on hand at the end of the FEC quarterly reporting period.

Michael J. Lapolla, who entered the race in January and did not file any reports last year, leads among Democrat candidates with $443,890 in contributions followed by Maryanne S. Connelly with $333,524. Warren Township Committeeman Jeff Golkin has raised $141,736 with Joel Farley listing contributions of $11,275.

Mrs. Connelly, a former Fanwood Mayor and her party’s nominee against Congressman Franks in 1998, raised $111,998 in the last three months compared to Mr. Lapolla of Westfield, Union County Manager, $148,560; Mr. Farley, $11,275, and Mr. Golkin, who reported only $50 raised.

Mrs. Connelly listed a guaranteed loan of $125,000 with Mr. Farley listing a loan of $20,000. Mr. Golkin repaid a $100,000 guaranteed loan.

Mr. Morrisey has been critical of Mr. Ferguson, stating that most of his contributions came from contributors believing he was going make another stab at Sixth District incumbent Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone.

Mr. Ferguson lost that race in 1998 by 17 percentage points. He originally filed with the FEC last summer to run again in that district but filed in early January as a Seventh District resident and candidate.

A spokesman for the Ferguson campaign noted that the bulk of Mr. Morrisey’s campaign came from Washington. Mr. Morrisey served for several years as Counsel to the House Commerce Committee.

On the Democratic side, the Connelly campaign has said Mr. Lapolla has received most of his contributions from Union County employees.

The Lapolla campaign has said their effort was a successful grassroots campaign. They noted that most contributions were individual rather than Political Action Committees (PACs). Reader Writes About Subjects

Of ShopRite, Parking Deck Projects

Letters to the Editor

Reader Rebuts Board of Health’s Letter Regarding Fluoridation

In a recent edition of The Westfield Leader (April 13), the Board of Health presented some misleading information in regards to fluoride.

The chemicals used in the water fluoridation process are silicofluorides, compounds not naturally found in the water. Naturally occurring fluoride is mostly in the form of calcium fluoride. These chemicals have completely different properties and will react differently with other substances in the water.

There are no studies showing that silicofluorides are safe in humans.

Therefore, there is a huge difference between the fluoride naturally in the water and that which is added.

It is also implied that simply because fluoride is naturally found in the water supply, it is okay to add more of it. Using the same logic, it must be safe to add additional quantities of lead, arsenic and mercury as well, since all of these are also naturally found in our water.

Of course, natural fluoride levels in the water vary, as do the naturally occurring levels of every other mineral. Yet nobody proposes to artificially enhance the levels of any of these other minerals, all of which are vital nutrients.

As a matter of fact these minerals have established RDA levels, unlike fluoride, which does not. In addition, these other minerals are fairly safe, which is

why they are available overthecounter, unlike fluoride, which is available only by prescription.

Another claim is that by fluoridating the water to achieve a constant level, we can thereby better control the amount of fluoride ingested. The simple fact is that you can’t control how much water people drink. One person may hardly drink any, while another may drink several gallons per day.

Additionally, many products such as soda, juice and milk contain high amounts of fluoride and may significantly influence total fluoride intake. Even infant formula has been shown to contain extremely high levels of fluoride, despite the fact that fluoride is not an added ingredient. Therefore, it is impossible for parents or doctors to know how much fluoride children are getting.

Lastly, while the Board of Health seems to agree that there are existing contaminant problems with our water, apparently they are content to simply throw up their arms and ‘pass the buck’ on to those at the state level, rather than put forth any effort of their own. The issue of MTBE contamination of the water is especially important due to the fact that in a recent survey, New Jersey’s water was found to be the most contaminated with MTBE of any state.

Cory Mermer Westfield

There’s nothing like a lively discussion to peak one’s interest in community affairs, and the parking deck certainly qualifies!! But first, a brief comment on those wonderful folks at ShopRite.

The only real support that I recall ShopRite ever having was the support of Norman Sevell, which was understandable since it was his property being purchased. Now that relationship doesn’t even seem too friendly! If anything, everyone has also witnessed a traffic increase over the last several years. Does anyone really think the addition of another large supermarket will improve the quality of life for Westfielders?

The citizens of Westfield made their feelings about ShopRite very clear. Not needed. Not wanted. If ShopRite ever does come to town, it will be the height of hypocrisy when its first ad suggests that it is our new friendly neighbor. I don’t think so!

So what about this parking deck. Specifically, why would a deck be proposed for the south side train station parking lot. One thing is for sure, it cannot possibly be to improve parking for downtown shopping! I park in that lot at least once every weekend while getting a sandwich at Hershey’s. You could hold a concert there with all the extra room!

So, if anyone is desperate for a parking space to go shopping on the weekends, and doesn’t mind “historywalking” through our new tunnel, there’s more than enough room available. We all know that never happens, because it’s so much more fun to complain about how crowded things are and drive around the block and spend an extra 10 minutes to find a space.

If currently available south side parking is not used for weekend shoppers now, there’s no reason to believe a parking deck would be used for weekday shoppers in the future. If a parking deck is truly needed for downtown shopping reasons, there’s no doubt in my mind that it should be on the north side.

Therefore, the only reason for a deck at the train station on the south side is to accommodate commuters. Is that what we want Westfield to be? A parking destination for New York commutation? I certainly hope not. If we build such a lot at the train station, they will come! Finally, with the completion of all the construction, we have something rather nice for the south side. The new station, even with a large parking lot, looks good with the church steeples in the background. Do we have to obliterate it so soon?

Joseph Kiefer’s recent letter on the parking debate had many good points. Key among them is that the parking study should not be in the hands of north side residents only. Any deck on the south side will only serve commuters. It will not alleviate downtown parking. Let me say that again. Downtown parking improvement should not be given as a benefit for a south side parking deck. That dog just won’t hunt. A north side deck, however, may actually serve both shopping and commuting purposes.

Frankly, the idea of a south side deck at the train station should be taken off the table. That is, unless we really want to be a train stop destination.

Robin Fry Westfield

Elected BOE Member Schaumberg Thanks Those Who Voted Last Week

Westfield Citizen Expresses Disgust With Area Goose Droppings

Please accept my sincere thanks for electing me to the Mountainside Board of Education. As a writein candidate I realized that I was asking the voters to go “above and beyond” the normal voting process. I also knew that I was taking on a task that was best described as an uphill battle.

The campaign process was very new to me and I relied upon a wonderful committee of individuals, led by my campaign manager, Diane McGee, whose devotion, energy and expertise are unsurpassed. From the beginning, we identified a large group of core supporters who distributed and displayed lawn signs and palm cards, and made endless phone calls. To all of these people I extend my sincere gratitude.

To the many people who so generously contributed funding to offset the cost of signs and mailings, I would also

like to say thank you. We could never have climbed that hill without you.

Now that the campaign process is over, I am enthusiastically looking forward to beginning my term as part of the Board of Education team. I realize that I have much to learn about being a school board member. As I have said in the past I believe that I can lend a fresh voice and an open mind. I will be very proud to be involved in the continued implementation of the Strategic Plan, as well as the many other issues which our community is being faced with, including the current concerns about space for the growing student population.

Again a most heartfelt thank you to all of you who took the time to typein all 18 letters of my name. I will make every effort to live up to your expectations.

MaryBeth Schaumberg Mountainside

Are we all doomed for eternity to walk in the everincreasing piles of goose droppings that permeate our parks, playing fields, golf courses, streets and other assorted locations?

Was it truly God’s desire, in His ultimate plan, to have humankind die a slow excruciating death stepping in, sliding through and falling down in goose poop?

In Dante’s “Inferno,” Hell was described in graphic detail, but that was a Hell of a vivid imagination. Goose droppings is a living Hell that none of us seem able to escape.

If there is anyone, anywhere, who can rid us of this nauseating nightmare, please step forward... NOW. I will be the first one on my block to nominate you for any political office of your choosing. I will donate considerable financial resources to your campaign, and recruit all of my friends (and enemies) to do the same.

OR . . . to anyone out there who doesn’t seek political life, but who may have any connections with God and think

you can use them to remedy the abovedescribed pestilence, I will kneel before you, kiss your ring, and sponsor a fundraiser to build a national shrine in your honor that will dwarf the Washington Monument.

John Verrier Westfield

Morrisey Gains Backing of 100 Businesses in District 7

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD — Seventh Congressional candidate Patrick Morrisey has received the backing of 100 small business owners in the district, an effort the candidate said shows the grassroots support he has been generating.

“This is an unprecedented announcement,” the candidate explained.

As part of his platform, Mr. Morrisey has proposed several initiatives including: putting an end to the socalled death tax on estates; allowing individuals who obtain their own health insurance to deduct 100 percent of their premium costs; reducing the regulatory burdens on small businesses, and placing caps on punitive damages recovered from small businesses.

He said some business owners have agreed to allow the Morrisey Campaign to place literature in their establishments while others have said they will urge customers to vote for Mr. Morrisey.

“It really depends on how involved the small business owner wants to get involved in the campaign,” he told The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood.

Among those local businesses supporting Mr. Morrisey: in Westfield, Adlers Jewelers, Anthony Michael Haircutter, Austin Photo and Video, Babbit Chiropractic Center, Boogie Tickets, Brand Travel, Brass Shop, Cellulite Reduction Center, Cosimo’s Restaurant, Dog Patch, Galeria West, Greg’s Sportscards and Collectables, Jade Garden, Jeff’s Auto, Liquor Basket, Mail Boxes Etc. Westfield, National Haircutters, Office of Electrolysis, Periwinkle’s Gifts, Photo by Stieve, Salon 2000, Stockhome, Upholestery Unlimited, Vicki’s Diner, Westfield Antiques and Wild Pig Comics.

In Mountainside, Bayberry Card and Gift Shop, Christoffers, Inc., Mountainside Deli and West Mountain Automotive have all supported Mr. Morrisey.

Businesses from Woodbridge, Summit, New Providence, Manville,

Garwood, Cranford, Millburn, Union, Plainfield and Greenbrook have also backed the campaign.

The candidate noted that he has also been endorsed by 12 current members of Congress, something that is usual in primary elections.

Mr. Morrisey is one of four Republicans that will face off in the Congressional Seventh District GOP primary race on June 6. A fifth candidate, Somerville resident Roderick McNealy, was declared ineligible after filing his nominating petitions in Trenton on the April 13 deadline.

The rest of the GOP field includes state Assemblyman Joel Weingarten of Millburn (R21st), Michael Ferguson of Warren and Tom Kean Jr. of Westfield.

The Democratic nomination is being fought among Union County Manager Michael J. Lapolla of Westfield, former Fanwood Mayor Maryanne S. Connelly, Warren Township Committeeman Jeff Golkin and Civil Rights attorney Joel Farley of Westfield.

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Courtesy of Morrisey for Congress Campaign

SHOWING SUPPORT... Periwinkle’s on Elm Street in Westfield is one of 100 small businesses endorsing the candidacy of Patrick Morrisey. Pictured, left to right, are: Mary Kopf, Better Morasso, Mr. Morrisey and Jeannette Dietze. See story below.