Page 2 Thursday, November 2, 2006 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Election Campaign 2006 I Pledge to Work My Hardest For You and Our Country “In America, the majority raises for- lives. We must use our patented Ameri- midable barriers around the liberty of can creativity and ingenuity to become opinion; within these barriers an author energy independent. We must become may write what he pleases, but woe to him fiscally responsible so that we do not if he goes beyond them.” – Alexis de leave our children with endless debt. We Tocqueville must work together to solve the potential We stand today at a cross roads in problems of Social Security, so that those American history. This election is con- who have worked a life-time aren’t at risk sidered to many as one of the most impor- in retirement because of Washington poli- tant elections in the over 200 years of tics. We must put the people before the American democracy. And at its roots, special interests. this election is simply about changing the We must have a change. Tom Kean, Jr. (GOP) Robert Menendez (DEM) course, or staying the course. One of the key issues in this race is one Mike Ferguson (GOP) Linda Stender (DEM) United States Senator United States Senator Today, our country finds itself bitterly that I feel especially strongly about — Jr. Robert Menendez divided. The America that I grew up in Iraq. It is getting worse by the day, and was a country that was proud of its lead- our brave men and women are paying the I’ll Continue Working Hard Party Affiliation: Republican Party Affiliation: Democrat ership and humanity. It was a nation built price of this administration’s failures. I Professional Background: The can- Professional Background: Mr. on achieving one’s dream and served as a feel strongly that this is an unjust war, and didate worked as a special assistant to Menendez worked as a lawyer in pri- beacon of democracy and freedom will ask the tough questions, and hold the For You, Making a Difference the Environmental Protection Agency vate practice prior to his election to throughout the world. administration responsible. This is an during the Bush administration and Congress. It is much different today. Now, we are American problem, and we must all work Voters every day tell me that New living we all struggle to afford. And that he also worked as an assistant to Education: The candidate received looked upon as the problem and not the together in a bi-partisan manner to ensure Jersey is becoming more unaffordable for means the tax cuts I’ve voted for in Con- former Congressman Bob Franks. Mr. his law degree from Rutgers Univer- solution, and our once unique export of that our troops can come home as quickly their families. High property taxes and gress represent real savings for New Jer- Kean additionally served as a volun- sity and his B.A. from St. Peter's hope and promise around the world has and safely as possible. scores of tax increases by Trenton are sey families to save, spend and invest. teer firefighter and volunteer EMT. College in Jersey City. been replaced by fear. This is not the I am also running because I was born hurting our families. And I couldn’t agree I’m also proud of my strong record country that I know, and it is certainly not and raised in our neighborhoods. My hus- more. delivering for our communities and mak- Education: Mr. Kean is a graduate Family Life: The candidate cur- the country that I want my children and band and I raised our three children here, State lawmakers in Trenton have raised ing a real difference for the families I of Dartmouth College, where he re- rently lives in Hoboken and has two their children to know either. and I still live here — one block from the taxes dozens of times, including taxes on represent. For example, I’ve worked hard ceived his degree in history. He also children, Alicia and Robert. That is why I entered this race for Fanwood home where I grew up. I am incomes, sales taxes, taxes on health in- for the removal from a residential com- holds a Master of Arts degree in Law Governmental Experience: Mr. Congress against Mike Ferguson, because currently serving my third term in the surance premiums, taxes on utilities, taxes munity of tons of toxic mercury housed at and Diplomacy degree from the Menendez took over his Senate seat I felt a change was needed — not just for state Assembly, before serv- on cell phones, taxes on new tires and the a military depot, secured millions of dol- Fletcher School of Law and Diplo- from John Corzine in January 2006 New Jersey’s 7th District — but for the ing as Mayor of my hometown Fanwood list goes on and on. lars for the Green Brook flood control macy at Tufts University in Boston. after Mr. Corzine took office as gov- entire country. I feel very strongly that and then Union County Freeholder. I know This is simply unacceptable. project and obtained vital transportation Currently, he is completing his doctor- ernor of New Jersey. this country must take a new direction or our communities, and I understand our In Congress, I’ve been a clear and funds to help improve traffic congestion ate in international relations at Tufts. The candidate currently serves on the damage by the current administration concerns. consistent advocate for delivering tax re- and increase safety. and Congress may become irreparable. I want to represent my district because lief to New Jersey’s working families. Sept. 11, 2001, changed our nation Family Life: The candidate lives three Congressional committees: the To make these changes we must change I know it can do better, I know our country I’ve voted to reduce income tax rates, forever. Eighty-one residents of the 7th with his wife Rhonda and their two Senate Budget Committee, the Sen- the culture of Washington so that it works can do better, and it is time for a change. double the child tax credit, reduce the District were killed that day, and every- daughters in Westfield. ate Energy Committee and the Bank- for us ... so that it’s on our side. I am determined to win, resolute on keep- marriage penalty and reduce taxes on one in New Jersey was touched by the Governmental Experience: In 2003, ing, Housing and Urban Affairs Com- Here in the 7th District, I feel that many ing an open ear and mind to all that I capital gains and dividends. horror of the terrorist attacks. Five years Mr. Kean was appointed to replace mittee. issues important to me and those in our serve, and pledge to work my hardest in Tax relief matters to New Jersey fami- later, the pain is still there. And so is the former senator Rich Bagger in the Before taking over in the Senate, communities are not properly represented Congress so that we can be proud of our lies. The median family income in the 7th threat. New Jersey Senate. In November of Menendez served in the House of by my opponent Mike Ferguson. country, and proud of the future we leave District is $90,103 – one of the highest in Since 2001, more than $5 million in that year, he was elected to the senate Representatives from 1992 to 2006. We must have confidence that the for our children. the nation. homeland security funding have been tar- women of this nation are able to make That high median income doesn’t mean geted to police, firefighters and emer- as a representative of the 21st legisla- The candidate also served in the New Linda Stender that we in central New Jersey are rich. gency managers throughout the 7th Dis- decisions on their reproductive health. Fanwood tive district. He is the Senate minority Jersey Legislature, working in the We must fund stem cell research to save Instead, it demonstrates the high cost of trict. These important funds are being whip. He also is a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1991 to 1993 Candidate for Congress used to keep our communities safe and Judiciary Committee and the Health, and prior to that, in the General As- Bramnick and Codey also train first responders in their new Human Services and Senior Citizens sembly from 1987 to 1991. United States Representative United States Representative homeland securities responsibilities. Committee. Before being elected to During his time in the New Jersey Win NJ Website Poll 7th Congressional District 7th Congressional District I’ve worked hard to ensure New Jersey the Senate, Mr. Kean served in the Legislature, Menendez also held the AREA — The website PoliticsNJ.com receives a greater share of federal secu- Linda Stender Mike Ferguson rity dollars and that those funds are di- New Jersey General Assembly from mayoral position in Union City from conducted a survey seeking opinion on Party Affiliation: Democrat Party Affiliation: Republican 2001 to 2003. In the Assembly, he 1986 to 1992. rected to protect the state’s critical infra- the best legislator in New Jersey. Of the Professional Background: The can- Professional Background: Mr. structure, including our major transporta- was the chairman of the Republican His first taste of public office came 120 legislators, Assemblyman Jon didate is the foundation director Ferguson was formerly a high school tion arteries, ports and chemical and Policy Committee and worked as vice in 1974 when he was elected to the Bramnick was voted number two, and volunteer coordinator at teacher in the Bronx. After this, he nuclear plants. chairman for the State Government Union City Board of Education, a slightly behind Senate President Rich- Runnells Hospital. became an instructor at a college in New security funding is underwriting Committee. position he held until 1978. ard Codey. More than 12,000 votes were Education: Ms. Stender worked her New Jersey. next-generation technology to screen Website: tomkean.com Website: menendez2006.com cast in last week’s survey. own way through college. She re- Education: Mike Ferguson is a high-risk cargo coming through our land ceived a B.A. in Interdisciplinary graduate of Delbarton School in and seaports. Programs are also targeting increased security for transportation in- Stay on Top of What’s Happening in Town Communications from The Ameri- Morristown. After graduating frastructure like rail, transit, bridges and can University. high school, he received a inter-city bus systems, as well as finan- Family Life: The candidate grew bachelor’s degree in government cial markets. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times The Westfield Leader up in Fanwood. She and her hus- from Notre Dame, as well as a From voting to reduce taxes and in- band also raised their three chil- Master's of Public Policy degree crease homeland security funding for New dren in Fanwood. with a specialization in educa- Jersey to strengthening education and Do it on the Web Do it on the Web Governmental Experience: Ms. tion policy from Georgetown Uni- protecting the environment, I’m proud of timesnj.com/subscribe goleader.com/subscribe Stender was a part of the Fanwood versity. my record, and it’s been my honor to be a Borough Council, was Mayor of Family Life: The candidate was born strong, independent voice for you in Con- gress. Do it by phone 251 North Ave. W. Fanwood, then became a Free- and grew up in Hunterdon County. I’ll continue working hard for you ev- (908) 232-4407 Westfield, NJ 07090 holder, and is now working to be re- Governmental Experience: The ery day, solving local problems and mak- elected to the House of Represen- candidate was elected to House of ing a real difference. tatives. Representatives in 2000, 2002 and Mike Ferguson Website: 2004. New Providence Mailed to Your Home Each Week lindastenderforcongress.com Website: fergusonforcongress.com Candidate for Congress

10 DAYS ONLY!

Truckload Sale SAVE up To 58%

WE PURCHASED SHIFMAN QUALITY BEDDING BY THE TRUCKLOAD TO SAVE YOU MONEY. EVERY STYLE IS ON SALE, INCLUDING ALL FIRMNESSES AND SIZES. IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING OF PURCHASING A NEW MATTRESS, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT. SHIFMAN. HANDCRAFTED FOR QUALITY AND VALUE SINCE 1893.

Savings based on manufacturers sugg. retail.

B ANCROFT C RYSTAL J ADE S APPHIRE SUGG. SALE SUGG. SALE SUGG. SALE SUGG. SALE TWIN ea. pc. 260 $109 TWIN ea. pc. 360 $179 TWIN ea. pc. 490 $249 TWIN ea. pc. 670 $339 7 FULL ea. pc. 380 $189 FULL ea. pc. 490 $249 FULL ea. pc. 620 $319 FULL ea. pc. 800 $399 QUEEN set 1120 $569 QUEEN set 1470 $749 QUEEN set 1820 $939 &#30"%45 8&45'*&-% KING set 1740 $899 KING set 2190 $1149 KING set 2710 $1399 %JTUJODUJWF%FOUJTUSZCZ Valley Furniture Shop $AVID- EINMAN $-$   7 &OIBODJOHUIF#FBVUZBOE)FBMUIPG4NJMFT 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPO WJTJU Exquisite 18th Century Reproductions %BWJE8FJONBO%.%DPN 20 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ 07060 • (908)756-7623 Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:30 • Thursday 10:00-9:00 • Sunday 1-5