A front page article in the  Bergen Record about NJ Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) included some rather arrogant and regrettable remarks about our own Sami Merhi. The first half of the article which we wholeheartedly agree with relates to extending religious accommodations to observant public officials-Schaer is an observant Jew.  To his credit, Mr. Scaher has recently introduced  a five-bill package dealing with allowing and accommodating religious expressions of faith in the public place or in public institutions.
We can only envision the day in the not too distant future when a Muslim Assemblyman or a State Senator will be excused from attending the Legislature’s debates on Fridays or during Muslim holidays. We can expect that colleges and public schools not hold exams or major functions during major Muslim holidays. We will certainly remember  and certainly expect this gesture of religious tolerance and accommodations.

The second half of the article, however, talks about his "fierce support of Israel and his "passion for the Jewish state" which” fueled one of the biggest controversies during his freshman term: the dumping of Sami Merhi from the 2006 Passaic County Democratic ticket.”
The article continues that "Schaer pushed for Merhi's ouster because of a 2002 newspaper story, in which the Totowa man condemned the 9/11 hijackers as murderers and fanatics but declined, when asked, to apply that description to Palestinian suicide bombers who target Israeli civilians." Merhi, who was running for a freeholder seat, attempted to call Schaer during the subsequent imbroglio to explain that his remarks weren't intended to justify terrorism.

In fact, Mr. Schaer extended his assault on Mr. Merhi's friend, Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ). Schaer, does not hid his desire to one day replace the Congressman in the US Congress. According to PolticsNJ.com,  "a Democratic insider active in the North Jersey Jewish community" in an email suggested " that if Congressman Bill Pascrell continues to support Sami Merhi for Passaic County Freeholder, he could risk their permanent loss of support -- political and financial -- and perhaps even field a candidate to oppose Pascrell in the June Democratic primary."

Sensing undeterred political clout, Schaer refused to meet with him. and Mr. Merhi's quoted sentiments are reflections of his disgust with the Assemblyman. We agree. That's why we, during the controversy in 2006, were asked by the community to personally meet with the Assemblyman in an effort to reconcile the differences. How wrong we were!

You may recall an op-ed I wrote on the subject in which I restated the remarks of the Assemblyman: "Speaking with candor and perceived confidence, he told us that the only option for our community was to present another candidate acceptable to him and upon that assessment, the assemblyman would openly endorse ”our’ choice and insure their success." The Assemblyman never denied making these statements. Read our2006 op-ed.

It bears witnessing that the Assemblyman is one of  only about 11 public officials who have voted to retain dual office holding in NJ. Himself a Councilman in the City a of Passaic and also a State Assemblyman has, his dubious stand  raises many eyebrows about the inherent conflict of interest associated with holding two public titles. With NJ so riddled with corrupt politicians, wasted taxpayers money and pet projects, the Assemblyman should reconsider his opposition and follow his conscience  to ensure complete transparency and public trust in our system of government. The demographics of Passaic County may derail Schaer's ambitions.

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RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION BILL
Time right to abolish dual office holding