Where is John? McKeon Snubs CoC / NJBIA Legislative Breakfast

LIVINGSTON, NJ -- Yesterday, Barry Funt and his Assembly running mate Mark Meyerowitz attended the North Essex Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association's monthly Essex County and ELC Legislative breakfast in West Orange.

Funt and Meyerowitz spoke out on important economic issues, such as the degradation of the business environment in New Jersey and steps that can be taken to lower taxes and encourage new job creation.

As promised, incumbent Assemblywoman Mila Jasey was in attendance and addressed the group. Despite repeated confirmation of his attendance, Mayor/Assemblyman John McKeon refused to be in the same room as his Assembly opponents and decided at the last minute not to attend. Apparently John McKeon is too busy stumping for Jon Corzine to defend his record to his District's citizens.

"Since the beginning of our campaign, Barry and I have been calling for debates with our opponents, and Mila Jasey and John McKeon have not responded," Mark Meyerowitz said. "McKeon's last minute cancellation is disrespectful to the Chamber of Commerce and to residents of the 27th District. McKeon's failure to address his policies that have hampered New Jersey businesses is yet another insult to the business community," Mark added.

At the breakfast, Funt said, "A business manager who was responsible for increased expenses, plummeting revenues, loss of customers and employees and was also caught in a web of conflict of interests that called into question the ethics of the company would not have his contract renewed. That is John McKeon's record in the Assembly, and his contract should also not be renewed."

"Our business climate is the worst in the nation, and this is an issue of enormous significance to New Jersey's hardworking families and business owners. McKeon's disrespectful dismissal of this Chamber of Commerce event is evidence that he knows he has failed the business community, and he is relying solely on his special interest friends to secure his re-election. McKeon is not someone who represents us. The people of the 27th District deserve better. "

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