Crowds, Protestors Gather For Town Hall Meeting With Gov. Chris Christie

More than an hour before the scheduled start of Gov. Chris Christie's town hall meeting in Union, more than 100 residents and protesters gathered outside the Boys & Girls Club of Union County.

In addition to those who were interested in addressing the outspoken Republican governor, a contingent of firefighters from the Cranford FMBA also showed up to carry signs and protest changes to the pension and benefits for emergency workers.

"We're here to support our state FMBA, especially in Cranford, where the recent hurricane stressed our department to the limit," said Andy, a member of FMBA Local 237.

The 25-member Cranford Fire Department, he said, has already been reduced by 10 percent as a result of Gov. Christie's 2 percent budget cap.

"I'm out here to stand behind these fellows," said Bob Brower, NJ State FMBA vice president. "The current governor has no concern for public safety at all. He said he would never touch our pensions or benefits and he, in fact, did. He is an out-and-out liar."

Brower said Christie gave firefighters a "sacred trust" that he wouldn't alter the benefits or pensions.

"As he lied to us, he's extremely disrespectful to teachers," Brower added. "They are the most important part of the next generation."

Follow updates on Christie's Town Hall meeting as events unfold on Bloomfield Patch. The governor is expected to begin speaking at 3:30 p.m.

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