Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and City Council President Marty Small held a press conference Wednesday to respond to Gov. Chris Christie’s press conference with the Atlantic County executive.

Guardian said Atlantic City is in the current situation because it lost 70 percent of its assessed value, getting $150 million less in taxes than six or seven years ago. He said he is open to using shared services with the county, but only if it saves money, which isn’t always the case.

The mayor also addressed the issue of collective bargaining. “Going against our word for people working here 25 to 30 years is unethical. I can’t be a part of that,” he said.

He said Christie is starving Atlantic City into bankruptcy.

Watch Gov. Christie’s press conference here.