Marks and Vastine Call on Opponents to Answer for NJ’s Highest Unemployment Rate Since They Were Elected to the Assembly

Scotch Plains- Martin Marks and William "Bo" Vastine, candidates for the General Assembly in the 22^nd Legislative District, issued the following statement concerning the increase in New Jersey's unemployment rate to 9.7%:

"The rise in unemployment to 9.7% in New Jersey is staggering. When one considers the people who are out of work and those who have already exhausted their unemployment benefits, the number is most likely over 10%. " said former Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks." He continued, "It is simply outrageous that Jon Corzine has been touting job creation in New Jersey, while our unemployment rate is at its highest in three decades. Certainly, this is the highest the unemployment rate has been since either District 22 Assembly members Jerry Green or Linda Stender took office. The people of the 22^nd district deserve better representation in Trenton. The residents of this district need their Assembly members to find ways to create jobs, Green and Stender have failed to do so."

"While large employers like Muhlenberg Hospital have closed their doors, Jerry Green and Linda Stender have been secure in their well paid government jobs and are just looking the other way." stated an exasperated Bo Vastine. "In these difficult economic times, we need Assembly members that vote to cut taxes and spending and let the taxpayers keep more of their hard earned money. If folks had more to spend businesses would benefit, jobs would be created and we'd get out of the hamster wheel Governor Corzine and his rubber stamps, Green and Stender, have forced us into. It's time for a change in the way Trenton does business, and Green and Stender do not represent that change."

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