Lets Be Positive In The New Year

First I would like to start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. As I look back at 2012 on the state level I am proud of my ability as apart of the Democratic Leadership and my role as chairman of the housing a local government committee to help move the cause of affordable housing forward.

I have taken the lead on the future of this issue in the state of New Jersey I’m hoping this year myself and supporters of this issue in the building industry of which the vast majority are, want to see new affordable homes built and people from New Jersey building these homes.

On some issues I have been able to work with Governor Christie’s Office and on some issues we have disagreed with how things should go. I hope that the Governor and I can come to an agreement that will be a model for other states to follow.

I am happy that the nonprofit and community groups have been supportive of me and my ideas and efforts on this issue.

We have a lot of problems that we face going forward dealing with the loss and set back from the storm and I know through cooperation our state can overcome them.

I have been very fortunate to work with the Federal Government especially Congressman Rush Holt, Union County, and local officials in dealing with helping people with recovering from the storm.

As of last week over 500 families have received services at the FEMA disaster relief center in Plainfield and over 400 at the center in Linden, helping them return their lives back to normal and helping families move their lives forward in the right direction.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor of Scotch Plains for giving me the honor of swearing him in on New Years.

I felt very proud when people who live in Scotch Plains came up to me to personally thank me for the job I have done for this district and the state.

I also want to thank the people of Plainfield who have been supportive of what I have accomplished for this district and for the state. And I appreciate their support for my efforts to help re-elect President Obama, Senator Menendez, and Congressman Holt. The numbers speak for them self with what the 22nd District was able to do for the President Senator and Congressman.

Unfortunately in politics you can’t make everyone happy. As I travel around the 22nd district and all over the state I see no other towns that have people who haven't done anything to move their towns forward but be so critical of what’s going on. That’s what I see going on in Plainfield.

Over the past years when they decided to be negative about Plainfield I have ignored their comments and focused on the job of being Assemblyman in the 22nd district. People come up to me all the time and tell me that the way they behave is a major embarrassment to the city of Plainfield.

They know who they are and how little they have done for the city of Plainfield. These individuals bring more harm to the city than any other outside negative force could ever possibly do.

We as a community need to say enough is enough. This type of uninformed negativity keeps good people from running for office in this city as they spread lies and hate.

In closing I wish every one a happy, healthy, and safe new year. And I hope that going forward we can be more positive and work together as we have an important election for governor coming up.