Luis Quintana - Line 4-C

Endorsement: Quintana is for Hillside

In endorsing a candidate in the Democratic primary race for state Senate in the 29th District, the DISPATCH's editorial board looked at several factors.

The first factor was whether the incumbent - Senator Sharpe James - was worthy of reelection.

The second was the qualifications of the challenger - Luis Quintana.

After weighing all the facts, the DISPATCH could only reach the following conclusion: Luis Quintana deserves Hillside's vote in the Democratic primary election on June 3.


NOT TOO SHARPE

It's always easy to find faults in an incumbent up for election. But it's even easier when that incumbent is Sharpe James.

There is definitely a problem when a state Senator's district is comprised of only two and a half municipalities and he can't even remember the name of one of them! [see "Hillsdale"]

More profoundly is James' abysmal record in his service - or lack of service, rather - to Hillside.

Constituent callers to his office are treated with rudeness; most are ignored.

The Senator never addressed the problems that mattered the most to Hillside: school funding and property taxes.

James could have stood up to Governor McGreevey and opposed the cuts to school and education aide. But he didn't.

James could have pushed for property tax relief legislation. But he didn't.

James could have defended efforts to eliminate corruption at the state government level. But he couldn't even lead by example.

James can promise that he will resolve these issues in his next term in office, but folks, come on, how many more times can voters allow him to say that and get away with it?

Needless to say, the DISPATCH feels it's time for a change.


QUINTANA ON JUNE 3rd

Only one candidate, we feel, is worth for the job.

Luis Quintana currently serves as Councilman-at-Large in the neighboring city of Newark. He was the first elected Hispanic in an at-large position in that city.

He was educated at Seton Hall University where he received a BA in Criminal Justice.

He has dedicated his career to advocating for the youth. He has worked as a youth counselor and was involved with the Essex Council Boy Scouts of America Explorer Officers, Rick Cerone Little League, Girls' and Boys' Clubs of Newark and the Urban Youth Task Force.

Quintana is the person Hillside can rely on to stand up for what the people deserve. Surely, if he can withstand the political warfare commanded by Sharpe James, than standing up to the governor and demanding money for education and property tax reform will be no worry.

It's about time Hillside had a say in Trenton, and it will if voters elect Luis Quintana - Line 4-C - on Tuesday, June 3.