That election has ended, but it hasn't been forgotten. Take the following e-mail circulated by a Republican official about the Kerry visit. Here it is in its entirety.

"So,'Lurch," (who served in Vietnam, by the way) is coming to Morristown! Better lock the women safely away (especially the really rich ones)!

I love it!

I only hope Kerry (who served in Vietnam, by the way) does in Morris County for Corzine and his henchfolk what he did for himself here last year!

Hey, maybe they can get Howard Dean, Janet Reno, Walter Mondale, and Michael Dukakis next! They're on a roll, ya' know!

The writer was Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt, R-Mendham Twp.

A little harsh, no? After all, calling a onetime presidential candidate silly names and suggesting that women need to be locked up should be beneath the dignity of a state assemblyman. It sounds more like the Internet rant of a high school dropout, not an educated man.

Merkt disagrees, saying that Democratic operatives said worse things about George W. Bush, and at one time, compared him to a chimpanzee. Huh?

At any rate, you have got to wonder about professional courtesy and respect, which, sadly, no longer seem to be part of political life in America.

Just because a man hails from a different party should not make him an enemy, or a fool. How about accepting the fact that people have different opinions? A man who runs for president from one of the major political parties is worthy of respect, not ridicule.

We are fortunate to see politics being put aside on the national scale with former Presidents Clinton and Bush teaming up to raise money for Katrina relief, just as they did for tsunami relief.

Merkt, by the way, should be careful about being too snotty about Kerry. Despite doing no campaigning in New Jersey last year, Kerry got more votes in the state than Bush did. The vote total was roughly 1.9 million for Kerry and 1.6 million for Bush.

Ah, Merkt counters, but Morris County was -- and is -- different.

Here are parts of another missive from the assemblyman.

"The fact is ol' Lurch really is a liability for Morris County Democratic candidates, especially those who normally take pains not to identify themselves publicly as Democrats ... That's why I'm a bit surprised that Kerry would show his face in Morris County. He lost here - and rather badly."

Bush got about 135,000 votes in Morris to about 98,000 for Kerry.

Merkt has a arguable point that a national Democrat may not be all that much help in a Republican county, but that's no reason why one should not visit.

If you used that logic, a national Republican figure would never visit Hudson County or Newark. The idea is to rally your base, as small as it may be, and to hopefully attract independents.

We have seen this type of thinking by Morris Republicans before. Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, R-Montville, took umbrage a few years ago when Corzine had the sheer audacity to attend a fundraiser for county Democrats. His odd belief seemed to be that Corzine, who is one of New Jersey's senators, should have stayed away from a Republican county. In truth, politicians -- just like everyone else -- have the right to visit any place they want.

Morris lawmakers get low vote rating
08/31/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
NJPIRG says legislatorsrarely cast their ballots 'in the public interest'

BY LAUREN O. KIDD
GANNETT STATE BUREAU TRENTON -- If Garden State lawmakers were graded on how often they voted "in the public interest," as defined by a statewide interest group, senators would average a grade of 75 while Assembly members would average an 82.
And, in general, Morris County lawmakers would earn the lowest grades of all.

And one-third of state lawmakers would earn marks of 90 or better, says the biennial report issued Tuesday by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group.

NJPIRG rated New Jersey's 120 state lawmakers on their voting records on bills the group considers key to the public's interest, including those focusing on environmental, consumer and "good government" issues.

Ten Assembly members and three senators earned perfect scores from NJPIRG, while seven senators were scored between 50 and 60 and 15 Assembly members were scored below 60 percent, according to the group's ninth series of legislative scorecards.

Among the perfect scores: Sen. Robert Martin, R-Morris Plains, who co-sponsored the Highlands Water Planning and Preservation Act.

"To the best of my knowledge, they identify the bills that are important," Martin said. "I'm pleased about it , ...but I wouldn't view it as the highlight of my legislative career."

Martin was an anomaly among Morris County lawmakers, most of whom were rated at the bottom of NJPIRG's report card.

Rated dead last was Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, R-Morris Township, who voted for NJPIRG-highlighted issues just 31 percent of the time.

Other Morris County-area lawmakers who found themselves at the bottom of the group's list included assemblymen Guy Gregg, R-Washington Twp., and Richard Merkt, R-Mendham Twp., both 38 percent; Alex DeCroce, R-Parsippany, 45 percent; Joseph Pennacchio, R-Montville, 46 percent; and Sens. Tony Bucco, R-Boonton, 50 percent; and Robert Littell, R-Franklin, 55 percent.

The "goal is to help constituents recognize those legislators that are consistently voting in the public interest,"said Abigail Caplovitz, NJPIRG's legislative advocate, at a Statehouse news conference recognizing the highest scorers.

The reports are released in election years; this year, the Assembly is on the November ballot. Results are available online at www.njpirg.org, and the group said it will also distribute scorecards to about 200,000 New Jersey homes.

"We always have to have the touchstone of what it is we are there for," said Sen. Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth, who scored a 91 in the report. "And we are there for the public interest."

Lawmakers were judged on 12 Assembly votes and 11 Senate votes cast between December 2003 and early July of this year.

They were also judged on whether they co-sponsored a measure to repeal the controversial "Streamline Permitting in Smart Growth Areas"law, more commonly called "fast-track."

NJPIRG also considered environmental bills to protect drinking water and reduce air toxins, energy use and diesel air pollution and consumer issues such as a law providing New Jerseyans with increased protection against identity theft.

Lawmakers were also graded on "good government" bills -- reestablishing the Office of the Public Advocate; create a pilot project for publicly funding legislative races; and banning pay-to-play, the trading of government contracts for campaign contributions, on the state and county levels, and allowing municipal governments to pass local bans.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/NEWS01/508310328/1005

8/27/05 Daily Record (Morristown, NJ)

The Highlands Act -- Fred Snowflack

Schindler, Jackson back open space

To the Editor:

On Aug. 19, the Highlands Council invited Morris County legislators to its headquarters for an informational program regarding the Highlands Act.

Seven towns in the 25th District are affected by the legislation, yet no representative attended.

Assemblymen Michael Patrick Carroll and Richard Merkt, both R-Morris, voted against the act and call it a failure.

The only legislator from northwest New Jersey to attend, Sen. Robert J. Martin, R-Morris Plains, said he is pleased with the progress of the council, that the law is doing what it was meant to do -- limit development in sensitive areas -- and that the dire predictions made by those who opposed it have not happened.

Our incumbents claim to support open space but they voted against the Highlands Greenway, including $75 million for the preservation of open space, the Budd Lake Bog and youth camps in Rockaway.

Preserving open space should be a Morris County priority.

Janice Schindler and Thom Jackson are challenging Carroll and Merkt in the 25th District Assembly race.

and Thom Jackson are challenging Carroll and Merkt in the 25th District Assembly race.
Both support responsible development and open space preservation.

CINDY LESSICK Mountain Lakes

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

08/10/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom

When it comes to tax facts, Carroll doesn't get it "Fred Snowflack just doesn't get it."
That was how Assemblyman Michael P. Carroll, R-Morris Twp., began a recent letter to the Daily Record.

Carroll, who represents the 25th District, was irritated at the view often articulated here that, if property taxes were to substantially decline, other taxes -- most notably the sales tax or income tax --would have to increase.

The issue gets written about a lot because, despite much talk, nothing about property taxes changes. That is, nothing about the structure of property taxes changes. Taxes themselves always change -- they go up every year.

A group of residents in Rockaway Township know that. The denizens of Daniel Street have put up "For Sale"signs to protest property tax bills that have risen about $400 this year. And that amount, by New Jersey standards, isn't even all that much. The residents have no intention of actually selling their homes; they say they just want to make a point.

The bottom line is they don't have to make a point. Everyone knows that property taxes in New Jersey, which in many towns hover around $8,000 a year, are high and getting higher.

Back to Carroll. In his missive, he ridicules what he says were attempts over the years to raise other taxes to reduce property taxes.

Here is a portion of his comments:

"Brendan Byrne raised state taxes to cut property taxes; he succeeded in increasing state taxes, but failed to cut property taxes. Jim Florio raised state taxes to cut property taxes; he succeeded in increasing state taxes, but failed to cut property taxes. Jim McGreevey raised state taxes to cut property taxes; he succeeded in increasing state taxes, but failed to cut property taxes."

That's a nice sound bite. But that's about all.

Former Gov. Byrne created the income tax in 1976 to provide more state money for public education. It was an outgrowth of the 1973 Robinson vs. Cahill state Supreme Court case. That case was a forerunner to the much discussed Abbott vs. Burke decision. At any rate, the true purpose of creating the income tax was not to change the basic tax structure in New Jersey. Schools would still rely heavily on local property taxes.

Then-Gov. Florio raised state taxes to plug a gap in the state budget. Again, his mission was not to alter the state's tax structure. As for former Gov. McGreevey, he created the so-called millionaire's tax and he raised the tax on cigarettes and corporations. But those taxes impacted only a minority of residents.

None of these governors even attempted to change the status quo.

And that is what is needed: you look at what property taxes support -- local government and schools -- and determine how to fund those services more equitably. We pay three main taxes in New Jersey: the sales, the income and the property tax. If you cut property taxes substantially, an understanding of arithmetic tells you that money has to be made up somewhere.

The beauty of raising the income tax is that it is the fairest of the three taxes in play: the more your taxable income is, the more you pay. The income tax stands in direct contrast to the property tax, which is disconnected to income. Senior citizens know that very well. Their home values -- and property taxes --keep soaring while their incomes stay the same. That's why they feel squeezed. And that's why seniors routinely vote against school budgets.

Carroll argues that you can offset a substantial property tax reduction by cutting government. You most certainly can. But that would take the type of reduction in government services most people would not accept. Only some would accept cutting the police force in half, closing libraries and offering all school extracurricular activities on a fee basis.

One of those who would accept cuts of that magnitude would be Carroll, who wants as little government as possible. Judging from his past statements, he would cut state costs by doing away with the Department of Environmental Protection. But that is not a mainstream view.

In truth, Carroll doesn't get the fact that most state residents would be well-served and be better off by overhauling the tax system -- even if it means raising the income tax to lower property taxes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fred Snowflack is editorial page editor of the Daily Record. Contact him at fsnowfla@-gannett.com or (973) 428-6617.

JACKSON & SCHINDLER: MERKT ONCE AGAIN TAKES CREDIT FOR JOB HE FAILED TO DO

MORRISTOWN, August 3, 2005 - Outraged by the incumbents' hypocrisy,
Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler today accused
Assemblyman Richard Merkt of once again taking credit for the job he
failed to do. Merkt appeared for a photo op but unfortunately failed
to support those same environmental issues when they came before a
vote in the Assembly.

"When cameras are around, Assemblyman Merkt has a lot of courage to
fight for open space and environmental preservation, but he seems to
lose that courage when he reaches the Assembly floor," noted
Schindler.

On Monday, Merkt joined Congressman Frelinghuysen and several top DEP
and EPA officials as they inspected Superfund sites in Morris County.

"Time after time, Merkt has voted against the Highlands, against open
space, and against clean water," added Schindler. "But, Merkt doesn't
want voters to know he's anti-environment, so he mugs for photos with
DEP employees and Congressman Frelinghuysen."

At least six major bills addressing Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) came before the Assembly in 2004/2005, and Merkt
voted against each of them – and voted in a tiny minority each time.
Most notably, he voted against two appropriation bills for DEP,
including casting one of only four 'no' votes on a bill to fund clean
water projects across New Jersey.

"Assemblyman Merkt appears perfectly content to say one thing and then
do another," said Schindler. "He'll pose for photos with Department
of Environment Protection workers and then refuse to fund their
programs."

"Unfortunately, we've seen this pattern before," observed Jackson.
"In May, Assemblyman Merkt cheered on Pfizer's expansion in Morris
Plains, but, one year earlier, he refused to support the tax
incentives that paved the way for Pfizer's $500 million investment in
Morris County."

"Merkt needs to stop trying to have his cake and eat it too,"
concluded Jackson.

Thom Jackson and 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 northern
and central Morris County.
http://www.politicsnj.com/jackson080305.htm

MILITARY FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS CARROLL'S FAILURE TO DEFEND PICATINNY

MORRISTOWN, July 25, 2005 - Assembly candidates Thom Jackson and
Janice Schindler today applauded U.S. Senators Lautenberg and Corzine
for securing $100 million for New Jersey military bases and contrasted
their accomplishment to Assemblymen Carroll's refusal to fight for
Picatinny Arsenal.

"Michael Patrick Carroll's refusal to lift a finger for Picatinny
Arsenal speaks volumes about how badly he is failing Morris County,"
noted Schindler. "Carroll simply won't stand up for Morris County."

Assemblyman Carroll cast the sole vote opposing a resolution (AR162)
urging Congress to keep New Jersey's military bases open. Morris
County's Picatinny Arsenal employs over 3,000 people.

"Some rumors in April put Picatinny on the list of base closures, and
I am appalled that Carroll simply shrugged and went on with his life,"
stated Jackson. "Carroll blithely ignored Picatinny's importance to
so many Morris County residents."

"Not only is Carroll out of step with his District, he's also isolated
from his own party," added Schindler. "The Republican leadership in
the Assembly co-sponsored AR162, and not a single Republican joined
Carroll in opposing AR162."

"Carroll's inaction in the Assembly stands in stark contrast to the
millions in funding that our Senators brought back to New Jersey's
military bases, including funds for a fire station at Picatinny
Arsenal," noted Jackson.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday approved $100.3
million for New Jersey's military facilities.

"Our state already doesn't receive its fair share from the federal
government," said Schindler. "We get back only about fifty cents on
every dollar we send to Washington. If Carroll had his way, we'd get
even less back – and many hardworking people at Picatinny Arsenal
would be job hunting."

"Morris County cannot afford to re-elect representatives like
Carroll," concluded Jackson. "Carroll's extremist ideology puts him
out of touch with our residents and unwilling to stand up for us."

Thom Jackson and Janice Schindler are challenging incumbents Richard
Merkt and Michael Patrick Carroll in the 25th District in November.
The 25th District of New Jersey is comprised of 17 towns in Morris
County.
http://www.politicsnj.com/jackson072605.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.

http://www.politicsnj.com/schindler071405.htm

MERKT, CARROLL VOTE AGAINST MORRIS COUNTY JOBS

MORRISTOWN, May 31, 2005 - 25th District Assembly candidates Thom
Jackson and Janice Schindler today rebuked Assemblymen Merkt and
Carroll for standing in the way of job creation in Morris County.
Merkt and Carroll both voted against the Business Retention and
Relocation Grant Program, which paved Pfizer's announcement today of
adding 2,000 new high-tech jobs in Morris Plains and retaining over
20,000 current jobs.

"Merkt and Carroll have once again shown how out of touch they are
with Morris County," says Jackson. "They have a long history of
voting 'no' to everything in the Assembly, but how can they vote
against good jobs for Morris County?"

"Pfizer is an extremely important employer in New Jersey, and I am
stunned to hear that Merkt and Carroll voted against a program that
allowed Pfizer to keep good jobs here in New Jersey," says Schindler.
"Once again, Merkt and Carroll have allowed ideology and partisan
posturing stand in the way of serving Morris County."

Acting Governor Codey announced today that Pfizer would spend $500
million to expand its operations in New Jersey and create more than
2,000 jobs in Morris Plains and Parsippany. The bill that made this
investment possible, the Business Retention and Relocation Grant
Program (BRRAG) [Assembly Bill 3111], allowed Pfizer to tap $25
million in tax incentives and keep 23,000 jobs in New Jersey. Without
BRRAG, New Jersey risked losing thousands of these jobs to states that
offer their own tax incentives.

"Morris County suffers from a crisis of leadership in Trenton," says
Jackson. "We need leaders in Trenton who can reach across party lines
and support bills that are good for Morris County – regardless of what
party sponsors them. Merkt and Carroll are not serving the voters.
Let's send some real leaders to Trenton, not these career
politicians."

Jackson served on Gov. Codey's Budget Advisory Panel in early 2005 and
helped produce bi-partisan recommendations for reducing the state's $5
billion deficit. Jackson's running mate, Janice Schindler, is an
experienced labor attorney, community leader and activist who strongly
supports investing in New Jersey's future.

Jackson and Schindler face a June 7th primary election before
challenging Michael Patrick Carroll and Richard Merkt. The 25th
District of New Jersey is comprised of 17 towns in Morris County.

http://www.politicsnj.com/jackson053105.htm

From the Star Ledger -- http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1116565222185690.xml?starledger?colmor

The lawmaker who made Emily weep

Friday, May 20, 2005

Emily Greatrex is an eighth- grader who has juvenile diabetes, a disease that could kill or cripple her long before her time.

Her parents took her to Trenton on Monday because she wanted to talk to legislators about embryonic stem-cell research. It's no sure thing, but scientists believe this research may yield a cure for diabetes someday.

"I'm really hoping that by the time I'm a parent, I won't have this disease anymore," says Emily, 14, who lives in Mount Laurel.

So far, so good.

But Emily ran into Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll in the Statehouse hallway. A conservative Republican from Morris County, he is happiest when he is butting heads over ideologically charged issues.

If that means an eighth-grade girl has to go down, so be it.

Within a few minutes, Emily was running to her mother's arms, tears streaming down her face as a crowd gathered.

Before he was done, Emily's mother was crying, too. And her father, still standing next to Carroll, was wondering how to get this guy to just shut up.

"Emily believed him," her father said. "This was like a blow to her stomach."

What exactly did Carroll say?

"He basically told me I would die with diabetes," Emily says. "All the hopes my parents have given me about being cured just disappeared in front of my eyes. He just shot me down."

Carroll says he's sorry if he made Emily cry and he never said she would die. But he concedes that he said her hopes about embryonic stem cell research were entirely unfounded. And he says it's her parents who were cruel if they fed her these false hopes.

"Was I shrill -- or passionate?" Carroll asks. "Sometimes there's a fine line."

If you have ever wondered how political debates turn grownups into bullies, look no further.

Carroll's treatment of young Emily caused a stir among the advocates of stem cell research. They alerted acting Gov. Richard Codey, who sent Carroll a letter yesterday.

"Sadly, your behavior is representative of the larger breakdown in civility and decency," Codey wrote. "Assemblyman, no matter what your stance is on stem cell research, it is not up to you to give out medical advice. It is not up to you to make baseless predictions. And it is not up to you to extinguish a young girl's hope that science will one day help her lead a better life."

Liberals, of course, can be just as offensive as Carroll was on Monday.

Patricia Burke, a mother of three from Phillipsburg, learned that the hard way. She told an Assembly committee in 2001 that she was emotionally scarred by an abortion she had as a teenager. She bared her soul, telling legislators she looks at her own children and wonders, still, what she missed.

The next speaker, a pro-choice activist, said that women like Burke need to "move on."

"That's what made me get up and leave," Burke says.

Maybe its unrealistic to expect civility on these emotional issues in a day when a debate about taxes can turn into blood sport.

But imagine if Carroll had told Emily he hoped for the best, even though he disagreed with her. Imagine if Burke had been embraced after her heartfelt testimony, even by those who feel abortion has no greater moral signficance than an appendectomy.

Would that not be progress?

Emily, at least, has bounced back. This is one tough kid. She learned to inject insulin in her stomach at the age of nine. She gets violently ill about twice a month, and has seizures that terrify her mother, but she still manages to play on her school's basketball and field hockey teams.

Carroll shook her up. But only briefly.

"I know he's wrong," Emily says. "I will be cured someday. I know it."