This is the first reply I received to the question I would have had posed to the Assembly Candidates at last weeks Forum. I presume that this according to the first paragraph will suffice for the Republicans and as soon as one or both Democrats reply I shall post theirs.
After all candidates reply to my respective question I shall take the liberty to `critique the responses. I would like to set a deadline of a week from today October 17, and will than consider no reply as being policy.
October 11, 2009 12:38 PM
Bo Vastine wrote:
As to your questions asked of Assembly Candidates…"How would you assure that Plainfield received the highest quality medical care". My response below is echoed by my running mate Martin Marks.
Before answering this question let me first state that the closing of Muhlenberg Hospital is not just a Plainfield issue but one that has affected surrounding communities as well. It has not only ripped away a vital life line to the area but it has also cost our communities hundreds of jobs at a time when New Jersey’s unemployment is closing in on 10%.
Assemblyman Green and Assemblywoman Stender should have been on top of the emerging problem years ago. Had we been in the Assembly as long as they have been, we would have been in regular contact with the administration of Muhlenberg to be up to date on the problems there as they arose. We would have considered driving the directors of Solaris themselves down to Trenton to testify before Assembly Committees as to why they found it necessary to pillage the infrastructure of this 130 year old facility and send it on to JFK Medical Center.
Jerry Green and Linda Stender were asleep at the wheel as this catastrophe developed and was quickly consummated and they should be held accountable for perhaps the greatest shortcoming of their long political careers.
In regard to bringing acute care back to the area, we will not make any promises we cannot keep…but several options come to mind. A coordinated effort with UMDNJ to make Muhlenberg an adjunct teaching facility is a possibility. New Jersey is still considered one of the world’s centers for pharmacological production and research. We should consider partnering with any of several giants in the pharmaceutical industry to make Muhlenberg a center for research and clinical trials; the proceeds used as an offset for the inherent costs of running a hospital. All in all, it is unlikely that Muhlenberg can be restored to its grandeur overnight. Any program to this end will be the result of slow but sure minor accomplishments over many months if not years.
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@Bo reply. If you are a true conservative, you would have advocated the elimination of Muhlenberg Hospital.You would have convinced the citizens that private industry would be better. Just like your current solution (Partnership). One thing we know in Plainfield, private enterprise will squeeze as much from the taxpayer as the government (i.e Monarch). I would consider your critism of the Mayor and Assemblyman to be sincere if your objective is to ensure Plainfield had a General Hospital.
ReplyDeleteIf Mr. Vastine & Mr. Marks had really cared about Muhlenberg (or Plainfield) they would have been involved with this problem a long time ago, but they weren't. Instead they waited until a few weeks before the election and now they say they care about us and have some bright ideas. Sorry guys, your sudden interest can't be taken seriously. Where were you last year when you might have been helpful? Oh that's right, you weren't running then.
ReplyDelete11:12PM:
ReplyDeleteYou're comments are far more appropriate for Linda Stender and Jerry Green. Remember, they were in office then when the closing was announced and are still in office now and both have gladly taken campaign donations from Solaris. What have they done for Plainfield all of this time? More "wonderful rentals" to make Plainfield "attractive" to increase the population while offering diminished services at the same time? Take note, Jerry was in office when the "merger" (read: hijacking) with JFK happened in 1997. Nothing was done while all of Muhlenberg's assets were "transferred"(read: stolen) and sent to JFK. And don't fall for the "private company" crap line that they are known to spew out! Solaris is a tax exempt organization that gets public funds (read: OUR TAX DOLLARS!)
Sadly, I think many "hopes" have already been dashed as too many will keep voting the same and "hope for a change".
Sign me,
A Soon to be Former Plainfielder