Gov. Chris Christie returned to the 12th largest township in the state for his 134th Town Hall meeting.
As for whether there was a particular reason why he chose Old Bridge, Mayor Owen Henry, who introduced Christie, said he hoped it was because he wanted to visit.
“The governor was last [in Old Bridge] during his [second gubernatorial] campaign,” Henry said.
As Christie made his way out to the crowd of 400 or so at the meeting in the gymnasium at Old Bridge High School on April 7, members of the Old Bridge Knights Marching Band welcomed him with “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
The governor thanked members of the band, saying it was the first time a band has played at the Town Hall meetings.
Christie also congratulated the Marching Knights for “bringing honor to their school, families as well as the state” by being chosen by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter to represent the East Coast at ceremonies commemorating the World War II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, in June.
Christie said “a lot of good things” are happening in New Jersey.
“We’re spending less than we spent eight years ago,” he told the crowd.
The governor said despite the good news, his administration is still dealing with the fiscal decisions of the past in regard to public employee pensions and health care benefits as well as debt service.
He said it would be “irresponsible” during his final two-and-a-half years as governor not to drive pension and health benefits reforms.
“We’re trying to play catch-up,” said Christie, adding that problems began 15 years ago when a former governor made no payments into the state pension system. He said reforming the pension system should not be a political issue and must not be done at the expense of the taxpayers.
As always, Christie fielded questions from the crowd, welcoming any topic, which included his potential run for president; the push to eliminate the New Jersey estate tax; the ExxonMobil settlement; concerns over the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing; and his behavior on national television.
The governor said he is seriously considering a run for the presidency, but he has not made up his mind.
“When I do, I will let everyone know,” Christie said, adding that encouragement from members of the crowd was “flattering” and he was “appreciative.”
Christie said if he can answer “yes” on whether the decision is good for him, his family and his country, then he would decide to make a run for president.
The governor did give some insight on what he believes needs to be changed in Washington should he run for president.
“People don’t talk anymore,” he said. “The president and members of Congress need to work together. In Washington, there is too much anger — talking at each other not with each other.”
As for the PARCC testing, Christie said the fact is officials don’t yet know if the testing is a good assessment for public school students.
“We do know that the NJASK test was inefficient and a new test was needed,” he said, adding that the technology component is important.
“In two years, the SAT and ACT tests will be exclusively computerized. We need to get our students ready for that.”
Christie said he understands concerns about the PARCC testing.
“Change is uncomfortable; however, one cannot abandon change,” he said.
A local teacher raised a question about Christie’s behavior on national television suggesting he should “tone it down a little” with the name calling since he is a public figure.
Christie said that although he respected the woman’s right to comment, he was not there to say what people want to hear all the time.
“When I think I’m over the line, I’m apologizing,” he said, acknowledging there are those “bad days” everyone experiences.
“However, I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not. … Vanilla, plain, is just not me.”
Old Bridge resident Bob Hoffman took in all that was said at the Town Hall meeting, observing “it was a breath of fresh air” hearing Christie take questions both from people who agree with his policies and those who do not agree with him.
In anticipation of Christie’s visit, about 100 people in red T-shirts lined Route 516 in front of the high school to protest Christie’s pension reform initiative.