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Schundler’s devotion to God wins high marks
Originally appeared in the Press Plus on October 31, 2001
VINELAND - Perhaps it would have been too much to expect Jim McGreevey to show up at a forum sponsored by the Cumberland Christian School on Tuesday night.
To get inside Stratton Hall where the forum to which he was invited was to take place, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate would've had to walk past numerous posters and placards supporting his opponent, Bret Schundler.
And, judging by the applause and murmurs of approval during Schundler's speech, the 100 or so people assembled in the fluorescent-lit cafeteria strongly approve of the Republican nominee who made a speech rather than engage in dialogue with the no-show Democrat.
It's not surprising that Schundler has the support of the school whose mission is, according to its Web site, "to help boys and girls grow into Christian men and women who can fulfill their adult roles as servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in an increasingly secular society."
Schundler unapologetically intersperses campaign promises with Scripture and inspirational yarns.
"My dad had a huge sense of responsibility that he passed on to us," said the youngest child of nine. "He tried to make us see what we could do in the world to make it a better place.
"I remember he came home one day and asked, 'What are you going to do to help Cambodia?' Well that was pretty scary for a 6-year-old boy.
"The next day he came home and asked, 'How are you going to clean up the church parking lot?' Well, that was even scarier because you actually could do something about that. But his message was clear that we were challenged to understand what God had to say to us."
Student Casey Laury reminded Schundler that when he ran for mayor of Jersey City, he said that his "desire to serve God" led him to do so. "What drives you now?" she asked.
"The same," Schundler said. "I never planned to run for mayor. But I saw a crisis in my city and, like a good Samaritan, I felt driven to help. Now I see problems in New Jersey and the same thing is driving me."
In addition to touting the Christian way as an ideal life, Schundler supports school choice and the right to carry a concealed weapon.
"I support putting more control of funding into the educators' hands rather than half of it going to the administrators before it even gets to the classroom," Schundler told the crowd of teachers and parents, and added that his own daughter is enrolled at a Christian school. "People ask, 'If you do this, who will the teachers be accountable to?' And I say, 'They will be accountable to the toughest critics: parents.' "
Schundler said that good employees are key to a thriving business community.
"We've got jobs coming out of our ears in Jersey City, but young people who can't read or write," he said. "Schools can do better if we allow teachers to be innovative."
Doug Sorantino, Cumberland County Republican freeholder candidate, told Schundler that he and his running mate, Mary Gruccio, had been facing criticism locally because Democrats have said Schundler doesn't support funding the Abbott program.
"Democrats are saying that Cumberland County is going to lose $300 million if you are elected," Sorantino said.
Schundler said that he does support the Abbott program, but thinks that it could be managed more efficiently.
"State funding for schools has increased 350 percent in five years with no increase in test scores or the graduation rate," Schundler said. "I think there are ways you can do more and spend less."
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