Marty Who?

Reading former mayor Marty Marks’ comments in his blog, I find it very embarrassing by his comments, saying I have ignored the other 10 towns in my district. On about a weekly basis, I reach out to these towns to survey their issues and concerns, and how to bring about solutions to their tables.

Unfortunately, because Mr. Marks is so far to the right in terms of being a conservative, his views on abortion and gay rights are detrimental. When it comes to abortion, he feels women should not have any say in the matter. When it comes to gay rights, he feels gays should not have any rights. Just last year I had a meeting in the City of Plainfield and all the surrounding districts dealing with school funding. Mr. Marks refused to show up. We were discussing Abbott Districts and funding for children in need of special services, disabled children, speech impaired, and the like. In the western part of my district for example, many children speak English as a second language. These issues however, are of no concern to Mr. Marks.

I had numerous meetings pertaining to the Green Brook flood control, but Mr. Marks again was nowhere to be found. He has run for US Congress and New Jersey Senate, and lost both races. Therefore, the people in the 22nd District are not new to Mr. Marks’ type of politicking. I hope that he will talk about the issues, rather than resort to a negative campaign.

He talks about my involvement in Plainfield; yes, I have fought to deal with the crime, housing, and quality of life issues because they affect all of the towns in the western part of my district. Mr. Marks decided not to run for Mayor again because they pay some of the highest property taxes in my district, and he left City Hall in a mess. He cannot point to one thing he has done to improve the quality of life in Scotch Plains.

Now he and his running mate’s only concern in this campaign is to try to divide the Democratic votes. This type of campaign is not going to work, for I have no intentions of backing off or allowing two individuals, who walk, talk, and act like former President George Bush, who feel that lying and misleading the public will get them elected, divide the party. So I am hoping that moving forward that these lies and misinformation, Muhlenberg for example, an issue that everyone in the State House recognized I fought hard to try to keep it open, and am fighting even hoarder to get it re-opened.

Also, to take a cheap shot at the Plainfield student’s test scores, which is similar to every other Abbott District in New Jersey, really speaks to his character. The State recognizes that low test scores are a problem, but are trying to bring about feasible solutions to this issue. Just recently, a Republican member of the General Assembly stood and said, “We should stop sending money into Abbott Districts because we are not getting results.” This is the same attitude Marty Marks and his mate are going to take. But what they fail to realize is that some of the money in the new funding formula helps students in Scotch Plains who need the help. So Mr. Marks, you cannot have it both ways.

My understanding is that your running mate lived in Texas and has the same mindset as George Bush, and because of this mindset every area of a person’s life has been affected; economically, decent housing for families, and healthcare. So let us talk about these issues rather than trying to make it sound like I am the problem, versus the failed leadership of the Bush administration that gave birth to every one of these problems.

Ps

I have met with the Board of Education of Scotch Plains on numerous occasions dealing with issues pertaining to the children of Scotch Plains. Scotch Plains send just as many students outside of their district for schooling so that those who need special educational support receive it, just like Plainfield. But then again, this is a population that Marks and Vastine could care less about.

So when you talk about Plainfield students, both of you need to look in your own backyard and see what kinds of problems some of the students in Scotch Plains and Fanwood are facing; problems I am trying to help them overcome, rather than act as if they do not exist. Whether it is a learning disability or a language barrier, these students need proper support. I am working very hard to make sure Trenton recognizes their needs so that help can be allotted.