By Dari Kotzker
NJ Today
Faced with the deficit of the latest gubernatorial race poll, Barbara Buono was met with smiles, handshakes and overall support today.
“The fact that the governor’s approval numbers went from 57 to 50 since June is significant. People are starting — earlier than we thought actually — to focus on the election. We’re in the dog days of August. This governor’s record is one of failure when it comes to creating jobs in New Jersey. When we still have 400,000 out of work, when our property taxes have spiked on average 20 percent — in some places higher, people will go into the polls on Nov. 5 and vote their interests,” Buono said.
During the meet and greets, many people brought up different concerns and questions on a variety of topics, including tuition costs and small business tax breaks.
“If you’re going to grow technology in the tri-state which it’s coming to, and you’re talking about expanding the only marketplace that’s gonna expand over the next 10, 20 years and is currently expanding at such a rate that there aren’t enough suppliers for the demand,” said Matthew D’Alessandro, CEO of Medi-EMR.
“I was just talking to this gentleman who has an IT business. And we started talking about the fact, how this governor’s policies have been singularly focused on, in terms of the economy, giving out $2.1 billion in tax credits to large corporations to the exclusion of 95 percent of our businesses in New Jersey, our small businesses,” Buono said.
One Irvington public school teacher approached Buono with some harsh words about Christie.
“It’s the attitude. It’s like there’s no discussion. It’s more of an argument. I think he shouts people down,” said Michael Szewczyk. “She seems to be a person who’s more civilized. And it should be a discussion, not a screaming match.”
With same-sex marriage one of her top agenda items, she was asked by reporters about Steve Lonegan’s recent remarks about Cory Booker’s sexuality.
“His comments were despicable and the fact that this governor has enthusiastically embraced Steve Lonegan I just think is something that the voters have to call into question, his judgement,” Buono said.
She also reacted to Christie’s remarks that she politicized Hurricane Sandy.
“I honesty don’t pay attention to much of what the governor says. It’s generally counterproductive to having a reasonable discourse on the level that I think the people of New Jersey deserve,” Buono said.
Buono began her diner tour in April. She says meeting people in person gives her a better idea of the issues that need attention and can help to sway undecided voters.
“It’s a very personal experience. For some people, they want to shake your hand, they’ll look you in the eye and they’ll say, ‘How are you going to be different?’ And then after you’re done talking people have said, ‘You’ve got my vote,'” said Buono.