The Good Reverend

Family values means helping the poor, the unemployed, and the needy.   Battered  mothers with children would fall into that category.  But in Jersey City, family values means helping the people who campaign for you. 

Bret Schundler behaves like the character Elmer Gantry, a movie about the wheeling and dealing in evangelic religion.  Mayor Schundler is treated as a guest preacher in some Protestant Churches, he cultivates "preachers".   One particular preacher, Reverend Tyrone Chess, was hired at city hall, has this flamboyant style.

Reverend Chess's services are on Comcast television.  As in the scenes of "old time religion" the anointed churchgoer faints and falls when Reverend Chess anoints the believer.

Mayor Schundler rewarded Reverend Chess in 1997.  The city instituted an ordinance 97-050 that only allows the good reverend to buy 9 Bayview Avenue.  At one time this two-family building was a residence for battered women and their children.  A few years earlier, this building received public funding to make this place habitable for women and children. 

Now I am confused, scripture says to shelter the needy or reward your friends?

In an article titled "Christmas in July" published by the Jersey City Reporter on February 6, 2000, the Good Reverend again benefits from Schundler's generosity.  The article states, "Rev. Tyrone  Chess, a mayoral aide, runs the Lincoln Center program, which will receive more than $500,000 in federal aid  this year.  Council members questioned whether there is a conflict of interest for the administration."  Of course, there is, but that doesn't stop this administration from awarding their friends.