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Politics & Government

Christie Visit Draws Supporters, Detractors

Governor gets cheers and jeers as he presses case for reform of health benefits and pension plans for state and local employees.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie got a mixed reaction from about  450 people who attended his town-hall meeting on Tuesday.

As people made their way through the doors of the Woodbridge Community Center, where Christie had stopped to promote his health benefits and pension-reform agenda, they were met by several members of the Woodbridge Police Benevolent Association Local 38 calling state’s top man a “liar.”

“We are upset about his campaign promises that he has not done,” said Bruce Chester, state delegate for Local 38, and has been with department for 41 years. “He has lied to the public, he has cut services and taxes are still going up.”

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Chester and Dean Janowski, who is the PBA president and has been with the department for 31 years, handed out literature to the people, which included an open letter that was sent to members of law enforcement by Christie as well as an article written by Anthony F. Wieners, state PBA president, in an answer to an article by a Gannett newspaper regarding police salaries.

Written on the bottom of Christie’s letter was “Liar!”

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Janowski, who wore a T-shirt that read “A society that makes war against police, should better learn to make friends with its criminals”, noted that Former Governor Jon Corzine’s administration looked into what Christie is proposing now and the state Attorney General’s Office in 2006 ruled against it.

Chester said the governor can’t put emergency personnel in the same sector as the private sector.

“I think he’s delusional,” he said. “We’re in gun fights, knife fights, I got attacked by a bat … our lifespan is shed by 10 years.”

Michael and Margita Geles, of Woodbridge, came to see what Christie had to say regarding the public job sector.

“I met [Christie], he’s a nice man … we watch [what is going on], it’s very interesting,” said Margita.

The Geles’ said they are also fond of their Mayor, John E. McCormac. Christie is a Republican and McCormac is a Democrat. The governor relayed the news to the crowd.

“As if you did not know that already,” he said with a laugh.

Christie said he considers McCormac, who served as state treasurer under former Gov. James E. McGreevey and former acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, as a friend. McCormac was appointed by Christie  to his transition team when he came into office.

Carole Mayti, of Woodbridge, said she believed Christie is doing a good job.

“He’s not going to please everybody, but everybody has to give a little,” she said. “I appreciate that more that [his reform] affects everybody.”

Mayti said it is similar to what McCormac is doing in the township.

“He works with everybody and has an ear that listens,” she said.

Mayti  said she wanted to ask the  governor about his intentions to help better the state.

Phylissanne Stehn, of Cranbury, and her sister Donnalee Urschel, of East Brunswick, said they believed Christie is also doing a great job.

“I want to invite him to dinner,” said Urschel with a smile. “He met two of my children on Route 18 and I just want to invite him over.”

Stehn said they support him “1,000 percent."

“The man has conviction and I have a total respect for him … I wish all leaders in New Jersey were this strong,” she said. “He’s just a great example and mentor for our children. Like he said, saying ‘Yes’ is easier than saying ‘No’ and that is what it is like as a parent.”

Frank Darcy, of Woodbridge, and Peter Gilleece, of Colonia, said they had real reservations against Christie’s reform agenda. Both are union guys, Darcy, is an electrician, and Gilleece is a retired machinist.

“Where are the jobs?” That is the question they said they would have asked Christie if they had a chance.

“We are suffering layoffs,” said Darcy. “People need to put food on the table and we need to pay our mortgages, not lose our jobs.”

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