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Vote for Schindler and Jackson (Citizen Newspaper Endorsement)

Democrats Thomas Jackson of Mendham Township and Janice Schindler of Mountain Lakes get our support for two, three-year Assembly posts in the 25th legislative district.

Jackson has campaigned hard, focusing in large part on the problem of property taxes. In that regard, he is not unlike his opponents, incumbents Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll.

Jackson has good ideas about working to consolidate school districts and regionalize municipal and county services. He is well aware that politics is the only reason for the hundreds of tiny fiefdoms that soak up money like a sponge through New Jersey.

And Jackson knows that politics is not a good reason to maintain a system that continues to weigh down plans to cut government spending.

Schindler, who is a lawyer like Jackson, agrees that spending has to be cut on the state level if there is to be a halt to the spiraling increases in property taxes. She also has a good idea in setting a deadline for the Legislature to come up with an alternative funding method or to put the question out to the voters in a referendum.

Jackson and Schindler also are social moderates, with both supporting such as issues as fetal stem cell research and the woman’s right to choose.

Merkt and Carroll have been clear on their views through the years. Carroll’s extreme opinions have appeal to a certain group who favors few government controls, cuts in social services programs and limiting government from such issues as gun control, abortion and stem cell research.

Merkt has said there will be no real property tax relief until the Legislature takes back the authority to set policies. Reforms are needed for the formulas setting funding for the lower income, Abbott districts, but the positions of Merkt and other Republicans would simply cut funding to the urban areas, a move that would improve neither the schools nor the state’s residents.

It also seems that the Republicans have been the candidates who have harped on the need for ethics reform. But ethics has much more to do with the people in the Legislature than with the laws that govern them.

Schindler and Jackson have been busy speaking about other more important issues.

We support Janice Schindler and Thomas Jackson for the 25th District Assembly.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15457009&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=506509&rfi=6

Jackson, Schindler press battle on incumbents
By PHIL GARBER Managing Editor

Legislative Deadline
Thomas Jackson and Janice Schindler, candidates for Assembly in the 25th district in the Tuesday, Nov. 8 election, agree with their Republican opponents that the property tax issue is the top issue among voters in the state.

But that’s about the only agreement between Jackson of Morris Township and Schindler of Mountain Lakes and incumbents Michael Patrick Carroll of Morris Township and Richard Merkt of Mendham Township.

The 25th district includes Boonton, Boonton Township, Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morris Township, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mountain Lakes, Randolph, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Roxbury, Victory Gardens and Wharton.

Jackson and Schindler talked about the issues during an interview on Friday, Oct. 7.

Jackson said he has been focusing on the need to regionalize services, including consolidating school districts, to save on the state’s $9 billion school bill.

He said the 617 school districts in New Jersey can only be described as “top heavy” with 617 separate local school superintendents along with 21 county superintendents.

“I’m talking about regionalizing from the bottom up, not from the top down,” said Jackson. “We need community stockholders, including parents and educators.”

Schindler said neither Democrats nor Republicans have been able to stem the rising tide of property taxes.

She said the Legislature should be given a deadline to come up with a new system of funding schools or the public should dictate changes in a referendum.

“I would love to be part of a Legislature that enacts real property tax reform,” Schindler said.

She also said municipalities and school districts have to share more services to save money. Schindler said there may be a need for mandatory sharing of such services as tax assessors.

Jackson said the people of New Jersey and their elected officials have to settle the fundamental question of whether home rule has become an expensive luxury whose time has passed.

“The bottom line is we have to ask ourselves if home rule is a luxury we can no longer afford,” said Jackson. “The lack of political will to deal with this has been profound.”

Schindler and Jackson said the current system of providing rebate checks to homeowners is not giving needed relief to people who are being forced out of their homes by high taxes. Instead, they said, homeowners should get a break on their property taxes.

“The whole sense of someone having to provide a no interest loan to the government and wait for it to be paid back makes no sense,” said Jackson.

The candidates also said the Legislature and governor have to become much more active in attracting new businesses to the state. In that context, they said they support a plan to build a state stem cell research center that would inject an estimated $60 billion into the state economy, according to a study by Rutgers University.

On the issue of the state Highlands Act, Schindler said she supports the concept but wants it to be carefully monitored to achieve its goal of preserving drinking water.

“We have to make sure the plan doesn’t put undue burdens on property owners,” she said.

Jackson also said the act is a balance between property owners rights and the need to protect water supplies.

Schindler said she and Jackson were generally in opposition to the positions of Carroll and Merkt.

“We have two incumbents who have been in the Legislature for a combined 18 years,” said Schindler. “You listen to them attack and blame the Democrats for every single problem. They take no responsibility for anything they’ve done.”

She said Carroll and Merkt are on the Republican fringes, and cite the incumbents’ opposition to such issues as fetal stem cell research and the state Highlands Act.

“They break with moderate Republicans time and time again,” she said.

Schindler said Carroll and Merkt both voted against the Highlands Act which had general Republican support.

Enough, Already
Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler challenge their opponents to end the blame game and begin addressing the real issues.

MORRISTOWN, October 7, 2005-- 25th District Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler today challenge opponents Michael Patrick Carroll and Rick Merkt to set aside partisanship and start offering real solutions for the issues facing Morris County. Jackson and Schindler issued the challenge following a candidates' forum last night in Denville. Jackson and Schindler were looking forward to discussing the issues with their opponents, but Carroll and Merkt were too busy playing the partisan blame game to spend very much time with the real issues in the election.

Instead of seizing the opportunity to discuss the issues of property taxes and education, Carroll and Merkt instead blamed everyone from Democrats to the Supreme Court for the misuse of funds in education. "Our incumbents have no problem blaming the Abbott decision for the problems with our education funding, but what we need is for them to address these problems through consensus building and compromise with members of both parties," said Schindler. "They refused to join their colleagues with recent bipartisan legislation establishing new standards in the schools that addressed this very problemâ€”legislation that was sponsored by our District's own Republican Senator Bucco."

Jackson and Schindler, speaking to the real issues of this election, offered a refreshing break from the unsurprising Democrat-bashing that dominated their opponentsâ€™ discussions last evening. "The people of Morris County came out to hear the candidates talk about the issues. It was sorely disappointing that our opponents chose instead to allow partisanship and divisiveness to monopolize their time" Jackson said. "It seemed like every question for them was nothing but an opportunity to disparage the Democrats and avoid the real issues. Enough, already. The voters in our district deserve better."

Carroll and Merkt were even unable to refrain from partisan bashing when asked to account for their own inability to offer real progress during the Republican majority. "Our Assemblymen have failed to deliver results to Morris County. They have failed to bring more money back to the residents of Morris County," said Schindler. "It is no surprise that they now refuse to accept responsibility for their failure to do their job."

"It's a shame that Carroll and Merkt are so unwilling to get past the partisanship and address the real issues facing our district right now," added Jackson. "Janice Schindler and I are ready to go to Trenton and work with both parties to fight for the issues that matter most to us all." Those issues, according to Jackson and Schindler, include real property tax reform, improving our education system, and expanding healthcare and medical research like that involving stem cells.

The candidates' forum was sponsored by the Silver Brigade and took place last night in Denville. Other candidates present included those from the 16th, 21st, 24th, and 26th districts.

Schindler Applauds Codey, Questions Opponents Accountability on Education
Governor signed new bipartisan law to monitor progress of school districts which her opponents voted against

(Mountain Lakes)— 25th District Assembly Candidate Janice Schindler, applauded Governor Codey and the State Legislature on the signing into law of S-1431 which establishes the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJCQSAC), a new state monitoring system for public school districts. This legislation was a bipartisan effort which had support from legislators from both sides of the aisle, including Senator Martha Bark (R) and our Senator Anthony Bucco (R) as prime sponsors.

“I believe that it is extremely important that we monitor the performance of our school districts,” said Schindler. “We must ensure that our schools are held accountable for the investment our taxpayers are making."

Under the new legislation, each school district will provide an annual report on its progress in complying with the new quality performance indicators. The quality performance indicators are the standards to be met in five key components of school district effectiveness: instructional and program; personnel; fiscal management; operations; and governance. Based on the district's compliance with the indicators, the Commissioner of Education will assess district effectiveness and determine the type and level of oversight and technical assistance and support the district will receive.

Unfortunately, the incumbent representatives in the 25th District voted against this bipartisan effort even with Morris County’s own Senator Bucco as its prime sponsor. Schindler pledged her support for the new law this past weekend at a "No Child Left Behind" forum saying, “we need people who will put partisanship aside and ensure we monitor the investment we are making in our schools. Instead of verbally attacking an issue, the incumbents should be working with members of both political parties to help track the needs and progress of our school districts and to provide a level of oversight when required.”

Janice has served on the executive board of the Mountain Lakes Home & School Association, as co-president of the Washington School Home & School Association, and on the religious school & nursery school boards of her synagogue. Through these experiences, she has seen first hand the need to monitor the progress of our schools in order to ensure they achieve the best possible results.
Janice Schindler and Thom Jackson are running against Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District in November. The 25th District is comprised of 17 towns in Morris County.

Morris Democrats start the big push early

8/21/05 Democratic Freeholder candidate Dana Wefer has knocked on 1,000 doors already. Janice Schindler and Thomas Jackson, who are trying to unseat incumbent Republicans in the 25th District, have been pounding the pavement, too, sometimes with children in tow, to introduce themselves to Morris County voters.

Summer typically is the time when hard campaigning is set aside for more relaxing activities, based on the idea that voters begin to pay attention to politics after Labor Day.

But Morris County Democratic Chairman Lewis Candura said the party's five top local candidates cannot wait until the fall to seek name recognition.

"We have to act every day like it is the day before the election," Candura said.

Morris County Republican Chairman John Sette said his candidates have been attending local committee meetings, setting the groundwork for the fall election campaign. The party also has a number of countywide events that draw members together.

Wefer has a goal of knocking on 10,000 doors, she said. She said people appreciate the personal visit.

Wefer, of Jefferson, a second-year law student, is challenging incumbent Morris County Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom of Washington Township for a three-year seat on the board.

In the 25th Assembly District, Jackson, of Morris Township, and Schindler, of Mountain Lakes, are challenging incumbents Richard Merkt of Mendham Township and Michael Patrick Carroll of Morris Township for two-year seats. Jackson is a lawyer who served on acting Gov. Richard J. Codey's budget advisory panel; Schindler is an attorney who gave up her practice to raise her children.

In the 26th Assembly District, Avery Hart of Kinnelon and Kathleen McCabe of Chatham are challenging incumbents Alex DeCroce of Morris Plains and Joe Pennacchio of Montville for two-year seats. Hart is an author and private practice therapist; McCabe is a teacher.

The Democrats have knocked on doors, launched Web sites, faxed press release after press release on their positions and the alleged failings of their opponents, and made as many live stops as possible.

In July, Jackson and Schindler caused a mild stir when they challenged Merkt and Carroll to a series of debates, finally settling on three late in the election cycle. Jackson claimed Carroll backed out of a one-on-one debate between the two of them. At the time, Carroll shrugged off the issue.

In the last two weeks, Wefer has challenged the county freeholders' use of a $25 million budget surplus and questioned why the board would not want to take part in a regionalization of county medical examiner services, which she says, could save the county money in the long run, if supporting legislation is passed.

Earlier this month, Wefer outlined her positions before the Silver Brigade, the county's largest group of tax-reform advocates. Jackson, Schindler and Hart all were in the audience.

Hart, at a Kinnelon fundraiser on Thursday, said passivity is not an option for local Democrats.

"We are being taught to be passive consumers," she said. "We must be active citizens for our democracy to thrive."

Phillip Sellinger of Morris Township, who hosted a Schindler fundraiser in July, was listening. He said he was supporting Schindler because he saw in her positions a vision for New Jersey.

Sellinger said he turned away from politics because is seemed the best and brightest people were not involved.

"Good government in New Jersey is too important to leave it to less than the best and brightest," Sellinger said. "We need good people in government."

Jackson and Schindler have been pleased to hear that voters tell them that that, not only do they not know that Merkt and Carroll have done as assemblymen for a combined 18 years, but that often the voters don't even know their names.

The Morris County candidates also have been supported by a series of summertime visits by Democratic state senators, assembly members, Corzine and Democratic members of Congress. Codey has signed two major pieces of legislation in the county in the last month.

At a recent fundraiser in Morris Township, Schindler was praised by Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, a longtime representative from Teaneck.

"We need more women in the Assembly," Weinberg said, praising Schindler's stance on public schools and family issues.

State senators Ellen Karcher of Freehold and John Adler of Camden appeared at Hart's Kinnelon fundraiser. Karcher echoed Weinberg's call for more women in the Legislature.

Both senators said they won in districts that previously were heavily Republican. Adler said Karcher won last year in a district that had not elected a Democrat to state office in nearly 40 years.

"There is stagnation in Trenton," Adler said. "The current assembly members from this district are just critics rather than problem solvers."

Ann Wolfe, who lost last year to Rep. Scott Garrett, a Sussex County Republican, said that a Democrat winning in such strong Republican district is hard, but not impossible. It takes superior people willing to work hard. Karcher said all that door-knocking helps.

"Jim McGreevey lost the county by 50,000 votes in 1997, and lost the election," he said "In 2001, he lost the county by 19,000 votes and won statewide. Everyone agrees Morris County is a player."

MERKT & CARROLL REJECT OPEN-SPACE FUNDS IN MORRIS COUNTY WHILE BUCCO BACKS HIGHLANDS

MORRISTOWN, August 9, 2005 - Assembly candidate Janice Schindler expressed disappointment with Assemblymen Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll for claiming to support open space but blocking the Highlands Greenway and $75 million for open space.
Schindler applauded Senator Bucco (R-Morris) and Acting Governor Codey for bridging party lines to pass this common-sense legislation, A4321, which Codey signed into law yesterday.
"Open space is not about party lines, which is shown by Senator Bucco's co-sponsorship of this bill." noted Schindler. "That's why Democrats and Republicans came together to support this funding for
open space preservation. "
Merkt has even told reporters that open space "crosses party lines" (Asbury Park Press, 08/08/05), but his actions speak louder than his words.
"Merkt and Carroll like to say that they support open space, but when push came to shove, they parted ways with bi-partisan efforts and opposed open space in their own district," said Schindler. "Merkt and Carroll have spent too long in Trenton. They're just plain out of touch."
A4321/S2577 set aside $75 million from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for New Jersey to purchase land for recreation and conservation. Included in this bill were:
• $18 million for the Highlands Greenway
• $2 million for natural areas, including the Budd Lake Bog and Troy Meadows
• $2 million for non-profit camps, including one in Rockaway Boro and
one in Kinnelon Boro
"Unfortunately, Merkt and Carroll are unwilling to work even with moderates in their own party, much less those on the other side of the aisle," observed Schindler.
"This bill, A4321, provided bi-partisan support for the Highlands
Greenway, the Budd Lake Bog, and youth camps in Rockaway," stated
Schindler. "It's baffling that our Assemblymen still voted 'no.'"
"Preserving open space should be one of Morris County's top priorities," declared Schindler. "Many counties in New Jersey have lost their farmland, their forests, and their open space to endless
sprawl. If we don't act to support legislation that protects our county's unique landscape, we will face the same fate - and break our promise that sprawl wouldn't invade our towns."
Janice Schindler and her running mate, Thom Jackson, are running against Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District in November. The 25th District is comprised of 17 towns in Morris County.
http://www.politicsnj.com/jackson080905.htm

Candidate talks about need for elected officials to truly fight for the people they represent

(Morristown, NJ) July 29, 2005: Janice Schindler, Democratic Candidate for New Jersey Assembly in the 25th District, held a fundraiser in Morris Township at the home of Philip and Barbara Sellinger. The event gave the over 60 people in attendance the chance to speak with Janice about the issues she believes are affecting our families and not being addressed by the current representatives.

“I believe that we need to invest in New Jersey’s future,” said Schindler. “We can do this by expanding business opportunities that will create jobs for a 21st century technology-based economy.”

Those in attendance, included Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen County). “Janice Schindler is a dynamic candidate who will make an excellent legislator,” said Weinberg. “Her platform on behalf of working families was greatly articulated and I am proud to support her.”

Schindler spoke about the need to address the real issues facing New Jersey such as the property tax crisis, the quality of NJ Public Schools, the need for real healthcare reform, and the need to crack down on corruption in the state which is costing everyone.

“We can help address the property tax situation by increasing state revenue, working on funding mechanisms for our programs, and controlling state spending,” said Schindler. “Getting our fiscal house in order will allow us to focus on the needs facing our residents such as real property tax relief, addressing the lack of affordable healthcare and increasing the quality of our public schools.”

Janice Schindler and her running mate Thom Jackson are running against incumbents Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District in November’s General Election. The 25th District of New Jersey is comprised of 17 towns in Morris County.

JACKSON & SCHINDLER PROPOSE THREE DEBATES:
Focus Will be Accountability for Merkt and Carroll
MORRISTOWN, July 18, 2005 - 25th District Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler today sent a letter to Assemblymen Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll challenging them to three debates involving all four candidates and one debate between Jackson and Carroll only.
"These debates will have a very tight focus," commented Schindler. "I will be very interested to hear Merkt and Carroll answer one particular question: What did you accomplish during your combined 18 years in the legislature?"
http://www.politicsnj.com/071805jackson.htm

MERKT NEEDS TO TAKE A STAND ON STEM CELL:
Frist and Codey's Stem-Cell Support Highlights Merkt's Silence

MORRISTOWN, August 2, 2005 - Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and
Janice Schindler today called upon Assemblyman Richard Merkt to end
his silence on stem-cell research and follow in the footsteps of U.S.
Senate Majority Leader Frist and Acting Governor Richard Codey in
backing stem-cell research.
"Prominent Democrats and Republicans alike have voiced vigorous
support for stem-cell research, and now Assemblyman Merkt needs to
take a clear stand," said Jackson. "Too many lives are at stake for
him to sit quietly."
"I applaud Republican Senator Bill Frist for courageously breaking
with the President on funding stem-cell research," said Schindler. "I
was proud to attend Gov. Codey's announcement today of $10 million in
funding for research right here in New Jersey."
"Now it's time for Merkt to speak up," added Jackson. "Morris County
voters have the right to know if Merkt can show the same independence
as Senator Frist and Governor Codey."
Stem-cell research has the potential to eradicate conditions such as
diabetes that doctors previously thought of as incurable. Merkt's
running mate, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, captured statewide
attention earlier this year by opposing this research and provoking a
confrontation with a fourteen-year-old daughter of a stem-cell
advocate.
"Stem-cell research is an area where Morris County needs an
independent voice, not a yes man to ideologues and partisans,"
commented Schindler.
"Too often, Merkt has sided with extremists like Assemblyman Carroll,"
observed Jackson. "I urge Merkt to join moderates in both parties by
backing life-saving research."
"Stem-cell research is an investment in a real shot at saving lives,"
concluded Jackson. "We need leaders in Trenton willing to make that
investment."
Thom Jackson and his running mate, Janice Schindler, are running
against Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District
in November's General Election.
The 25th District of New Jersey is comprised of 17 towns in Morris County.
http://www.politicsnj.com/jackson080205.htm

SCHINDLER: REFUSAL OF INCUMBENTS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC ADVOCATE/ INSPECTOR GENERAL LAWS SHOW LACK OF CONCERN FOR NJ CITIZENS

MOUNTAIN LAKES, July 14, 2005: Morris County Assembly candidate Janice Schindler today welcomed Acting Governor Codey's signing into law a bill restoring the Department of the Public Advocate. "This legislation combined with the recently enacted law making the Inspector General a permanent, Cabinet-level post, will help restore a higher level of integrity and accountability in state government, and eliminate waste, fraud and mismanagement," says Schindler.

The Inspector General is empowered to examine any state, county or local agency in search of fraud or mismanagement -- to expose wrong-doing and incompetence. An interim inspector uncovered the ballooning expenditures at the School Construction Corporation. The Public Advocate protects New Jersey residents, local governments, municipal services, and small businesses. Previously, the Public Advocate was credited for saving New Jersey consumers billions of dollars in its lifetime on utility and insurance rates.

"Assemblyman Carroll says that ‘government exists to protect the weak from the strong’ and, Assemblyman Merkt has acknowledged the importance of protecting 'homeowners and small business people from possible misuse of government power,’" commented Schindler. "Yet, when the incumbents had the opportunity to support these principles, they again failed to do so," commented Schindler. Both incumbents voted against the bills reestablishing the post of Inspector General and the Department of Public Advocate. "The Morris County residents deserve better representation," says Schindler. "It’s time for a fresh perspective - individuals who will represent Morris County by listening to their concerns and opinions," concluded Schindler.

Janice Schindler is an experienced labor attorney, community leader and activist, who strongly supports investing in New Jersey's future. Schindler and her running mate, Thom Jackson, who is a businessman, attorney, and community advocate in Morris Township, will challenge incumbents Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in November's election. The 25th District of New Jersey is composed of 17 towns in Morris County.

Here is a rundown of results in some of the contested municipal primary races for municipal, county and state offices Tuesday:

Democratic state Assembly candidates Thomas Jackson and Janice Schindler soundly defeated Gaston Parraga and Patrick Fahy.

The two victors will face off against Republican incumbents Richard Merkt and Michael P. Carroll in November's general election.

"This is a great day for Democrats in Morris County. Quite frankly, it's a great day for all citizens in the 25th District," Jackson said. "They are now ensured of a vigorous debate of the issues. We intend to run hard and to keep this momentum going."

"They are ready for a fresh perspective, and they're ready for better representation in this district than what we have now," she said.

Both Jackson, 45, and Schindler, 46, are lawyers making their first attempt at elected office. They have vowed to tackles issues such as government accountability, property tax reform and ethics reform.

Jackson, of Morris Township, recently served on a three-member budget advisory panel set up by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey to propose solutions to the state's budget deficit.

Schindler, of Mountain Lakes, formerly served on the Mountain Lakes League of Women Voters but had to step down from the nonpartisan group to run for office.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/news/articles/news7-munibriefs.htm Pair win big in Assembly race Democrats now set their sights on GOP incumbents in 25th Dist. Wednesday, June 08, 2005 BY LAWRENCE RAGONESE Star-Ledger Staff
Democrats Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler have been hammering away at two incumbent 25th District Republican assemblymen for the past several weeks. Yesterday, they won their party's nomination to continue that battle into November.

Jackson, an insurance executive from Morris Township, and Schindler, an attorney and stay-at-home mom from Mountain Lakes, beat back an unexpected challenge from Dover Democrats Patrick Fahy and Gaston Parraga to win the primary election.

Jackson led all candidates with 4,213 votes and Schindler had 4,061 votes. Fahy and Parraga were far behind at 671 and 461, respectively.

They will next face GOP Assemblymen Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll, who won uncontested elections yesterday.

Jackson, who would be the first African-American elected to the Legislature from Morris County, and Schindler contend the Republican duo are "knee-jerk conservatives" who are out of step with moderate voters in Morris County.

Carroll and Merkt started firing back last week, promising a spirited campaign that will not give the Democrats much time to enjoy their primary victory.

Fahy, a Dover alderman, and Parraga, also of Dover, were part of a "protest ticket" that formed when county Democratic Party Chairman Lew Candura awarded the party line, or official party backing, to candidates for local election in Dover. It resulted in the first Democratic legislative primary race in about 25 years.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1118212345110620.xml&coll=1

Mountain Lakes mom runs for State Assembly seat
by Enid Weiss
NJJN Bureau Chief/Trenton
Janice Schindler may have lost her war as a Kerry for President volunteer, but she’s found a new battle to fight: the Mountain Lakes mother of three is running for a New Jersey Assembly seat.
She and Democratic running mate Thomas Jackson are trying to oust Republican incumbents Michael P. Carroll and Richard Merkt in Dist. 25.
The district has traditionally been a Republican stronghold. It includes the Morris County communities of Boonton, Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Mendham, Mine Hill, Morris Township, Morristown, Mt. Arlington, Mountain Lakes, Randolph, the borough of Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Roxbury, Victory Gardens, and Wharton.
Merkt is in his fourth term in office; Carroll, his fifth.
Carroll made headlines two weeks ago for his opposition to stem cell research when the Assembly debated acting Gov. Richard Codey’s stem cell research plan. Carroll, who in previous elections has been endorsed by the NJ Citizens for Life, spoke to protestors gathered outside the Capitol in Trenton, calling the plan too expensive. During a teenaged victim’s testimony to legislators about how stem cell research could cure her of juvenile diabetes, he again spoke against the research.
There are two slates of Democrats running in the primary this year. Two candidates from Dover — Gaston Parraga and Alderman Patrick Fahy — are also on the ballot. Schindler and Jackson are endorsed by the Morris County Democratic Committee, the county’s regular Democrat organization, and will be on the ballot with Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Jon Corzine.
Morris County’s changing demographics are also in Schindler’s favor, she said. The area is becoming more suburban, with many young families moving in. More Jews are moving in, too, something else she hopes tips the scales in the Dems’ favor.
“It’s forced us to get ourselves organized and get out there,” Schindler said, looking at the silver lining on her primary battle. “We’re meeting reporters, canvassing the neighborhoods. I’m knocking on doors every weekend.”
Politics is not something new to her, or her family. Not only did Schindler work on the Kerry campaign, but husband Barry Schindler and their three children Danielle, Rachel, and Max did, too. Max even set up a blog — an Internet Web page chat venue — to promote the Democratic candidate.
“We’re a very political family,” Schindler said. “We talk about issues. We joke about how some people watch baseball or football — our sport is politics.”
When she wasn’t volunteering for political causes Schindler — Schindler a graduate of Cornell University and Brooklyn Law School — was involved at her synagogue; she’s sat on Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex’s sisterhood, religious school, and nursery school boards. She’s also held offices on the Mountain Lakes League of Women Voters and the Mountain Lakes Home and School Association. She had to step down from the Women Voters board to become a candidate because the group is non-partisan.
So why is the attorney turned stay-at-home-mom running now?
Through the Kerry campaign she got to know county Democrats and learned about the local organization, she said. She also worked with Tom Jackson, who in March asked her to be his running mate. At the time she was preparing for the b’nei mitva service of her twins, Rachel and Max.
“I was devastated when Kerry lost and for the Democratic Party to get back, it’s got to start at the local level. The timing was right for me. I said [to Jackson] I can’t do anything until April 4,” Schindler said. “I got petitions signed and filed by April 11.”
Schindler said she hoped to make a difference on issues such as public education, stem cell research and property taxes and bring “fresh perspective to state politics” as a newcomer. As first-time candidates, she said she and Jackson “are not beholden to interest groups.”
And “for my three children,” she said. “If you’re going to teach your kids to lead productive lives, you need to set an example. As a Jewish person I believe it’s important you give back to the world. I’m proud to run as a Jewish female.
“We have very few females in the Assembly,” Schindler said. “In New Jersey we have few elected officials that are women. I’m a Democrat and I’m Jewish.”
Schindler is one of 41 women running for an Assembly seat in the June 7 primary, of whom 18 are Republicans, including 11 incumbents. The Center for Women and Politics, the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, ranked New Jersey 41st in the country in the number of women in the state legislature, according to a press release issued by Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP at Eagleton.
In her interview with the NJ Jewish News, Schindler talked about the statistics in women in politics statistics. “We are half the populations; why aren’t we half the representation in office,” she asked?
Enid Weiss can be reached at enid@njjewishnews.com.

Democrats have refreshing new choices to make this Tuesday, June 7 in the Democratic primary race for the two 25th District Assembly seats at stake in next fall’s general election.

Democrats Thomas Jackson of Morris Township and Janice Schindler of Mountain Lakes bring a depth to the race we have not seen in a while in this very safe Republican district which has routinely returned two of the state’s more conservative legislators, Richard Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll, to office.

The third Democratic candidate is Patrick Fahy of Dover.
Electing a woman in Schindler and an African-American in Jackson would be something astounding in this district but it is more than the superficial that interests us.
Jackson and Schindler are articulate candidates with fresh perspectives. Both are lawyers and both have been active in Democratic politics; Jackson was heavily involved in the New Jersey presidential campaign of John Kerry and Schindler was active with the state senatorial bid of Blair MacInnes.
Jackson has focused largely on the need for consensus among Democrats and Republicans to find ways to stem the onerous property tax. Unlike the Republicans, Schindler has wisely declined to offer a solution to the tax quandary until she has further reviewed the numbers.
We support Jackson and Schindler for the Democratic nominations for Assembly in the 25th district.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14594724&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=506870&rfi=6

Voters in the 25th district will eventually reject the “extreme” views of two incumbent Assemblymen and will instead elect moderate Democrats like Janice Schindler and Thomas Jackson.
At least, that was the opinion of Schindler, a 45-year-old lawyer from Mountain Lakes. Schindler also said on Friday that in past years, the Democrats haven’t been able to field a qualified candidate to win an Assembly seat in the 25th district.
“The people in the 25th district deserve someone who will really represent their interests,” Schindler said. “The incumbents don’t represent their interests.”
She was referring to incumbents Rick Merkt of Mendham Township and Michael Patrick Carroll of Morristown. The two Republicans are running unopposed in the June 7 primary.
Three Democrats are vying for their party’s two nominations. They are Schindler and her running mate, Jackson of Morris Township, and a third candidate, Patick Fahy of Dover.
The 25th district includes the Boontons, Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morris Township, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mountain Lakes, Randolph Township, the Rockaways, Roxbury Township and Wharton.
Schindler said she has been knocking on doors and has been surprised to learn that many people don’t know the names of their Assembly representatives.
“Something is wrong when they have been in office for a total of 18 years and people don’t know their names,” Schindler said, referring to Merkt and Carroll.
She said the average voter in the district is a moderate, unlike Merkt and Carroll.
“People tend to be in the mainstream with their ideas,” she said. “We are not a country of extremes.”
She cited two examples that showed Merkt and Carroll do not represent the majority views in the district. One involved a vote on restoring federal homeland security funds to Newark, Atlantic City and Jersey City. The other involved a bill to restore federal loans to small businesses.
Merkt and Carroll voted against both measures and Schindler said it is an example of their “extreme” views.
A native of Long Island, Schindler has been active in the League of Women Voters and with the Home and School Association at her children’s school in Mountain Lakes.
She received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School and had specialized in employment law but stopped practicing to raise her three children.
Schindler was active in the presidential campaign of John Kerry and worked closely with Blair MacInnes of Morris Township, who lost in her bid for a state Senate seat representing the 25th District two years ago.
Property tax reduction has been the main issue of Republicans running this year. Schindler said the state has to reduce spending and that a full state audit is needed. She said the Republicans are promising cuts in taxes without having all the facts.
“I’m not going to throw out percentages and numbers until we have an auditing system,” she said. “This (property tax reform) is not a new issue. Republicans and Democrats have been unable to achieve property tax reform.”
She said she would be a strong advocate for public education, including improving education in the poorer, so-called Abbott Districts.
Republicans have called for changes in the formulas for funding the Abbott districts but Schindler said the system and the districts have been “unfairly demonized.”
She said she opposes any system of school vouchers because they would weaken the public school system.
“I want to improve education for all school districts,” said Schindler. “Retaining and keeping qualified teachers is vital.”
Schindler also said it is important to elect more women to the Legislature because women have a different perspective than men.
“We’re wired differently than men,” she said. “Family issues tend to be more on women’s minds.”
She said she considers herself an “ordinary citizen” and that her Republican opponents are career politicians who have been practicing the politics of divisiveness.”
“They (incumbents) haven’t had a serious contest,” Schindler said. “”They will have a serious contest this November.”
Anyone wishing to contact Schindler, can communicate through her blog at www.janice4assembly.com.
Schindler and her husband, Barry, have three children, Daniele, 15; and twins, Rachel and Max, 13.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14555614&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=333252&rfi=8

MOUNTAIN LAKES -- Janice Schindler kicked off her campaign for a Democratic Party nomination for the 25th Assembly District Thursday with a swipe at her potential Republican opponents.

With the support of about 40 supporters and her running mate, Thomas Jackson, Schindler said that the Republican incumbents, Michael P. Carroll and Richard Merkt, have for the total 18 years they have been in office practiced the politics of divisiveness and have produced little for the residents of the district.

"I will bring a fresh perspective to the many issues facing New Jersey, many of which have been around for decades," said Schindler, a lawyer and mother of three.

Schindler and Jackson, with the endorsement of the county committee, face a challenge in the June 7 Democratic primary.

Two candidates from Dover, Gaston Parraga and Alderman Patrick Fahy, are also on the ballot.

Schlinder, in her first-ever try for elected office, said that Merkt and Carroll are out of touch with the concerns of Morris County voters.

To understand those concerns, she said she would establish citizen advisory groups to help her keep in touch with voters.

Schindler said she would discuss the key issues of property taxes, medical malpractice, public school education and responsible development and open space preservation.

To reform the state's property tax system Schindler said she would increase the state's income not through taxes, but business growth.

She said she supported public education as she and her husband, Barry, and their three children all are products of that system.

Schindler said she does not support school vouchers for private schools because there is no accountability, no standard requirements for teachers and no mandatory testing of students.

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