By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
Several South Brunswick High School seniors that follow politics or who are enrolled or previously enrolled in political science courses at the high school have been studying the state and federal government’s involvement in the Hurricane Sandy crisis.
Juniors and seniors are given the option to enroll in the elective course Institute for Political and Legal Education (IPLE) which teaches the fundamentals of local, state, and national government.
Seniors are also offered the AP weighted elective course Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics which focuses on teaching students the fundamentals of the American governmental system as well as other countries’ government.
”I think Gov. (Chris) Christie did a good job handling the situation despite the fact that there were certain mayors who were hesitant to evacuate their towns,” senior and former IPLE student Brandan Williams said.
Many seniors said they agreed that Gov. Christie handled Hurricane Sandy well.
Senior and IPLE student Humza Sheikh said that he was impressed by Gov. Christie’s conduct dealing with the aftermath of Sandy.
”I believe that (Gov.) Christie did a good job dealing with the aftermath of Sandy,” Humza said. “He responded quickly and did what was necessary.”
Senior and AP Comparative Government and Politics student Aroma Saini said that the governor “did the best he could to inform people.”
In regards specifically to the power restoration, Aroma said that although it took about a week for her and family to regain power, she was still able to receive the government’s storm updates, which impressed her. She said that overall, the “government of Jersey did a good job” during Sandy.
In addition, Senior Emilia Scurato said that she was “very impressed that President (Barack) Obama and Gov. Christie worked together” to help New Jersey recover from Sandy’s damage.
IPLE student Victoria Keller said, however, that she wondered if the Governor and President’s prominent Sandy recovery actions did not have political intentions.
”I think the government tried to help but they saw the opportunity to get themselves ahead in the 2012 election,” Victoria said. “They (Gov. Christie and President Obama) did not do a bad job, but I think they did it more to make themselves look good.”
Victoria said that she thought that the reason the Governor and the President cooperated with one another was to establish the image of bi-partisanship.
Humza said that Mr. Obama’s responding so quickly to Sandy opposes former President “George W. Bush’s mistake of not responding quickly to Hurricane Katrina.”
Brandan said that he was pleased with Mr. Obama’s immediate reaction to Sandy. He said that Mr. Obama’s visit to New Jersey to observe the damage showed that he truly cares about the well being of the state.
Seniors and AP Comparative Government and Politic students Jordan Isaac and Mohammed Mirza both said that they supported the Governor and President’s responsive attitude to the storm.
”They were both quick and prompt in their responses,” Mohammed said. “They were quick in getting aid through (the red tape).”

