MANASQUAN — Mixing government policy with sunshine and sand, Gov. Chris Christie continued his Jersey Shore tour today, saying clean beaches are a key part of the state's economy. In visits to Manasquan and Seaside Heights, the governor continued to express his objections to offshore drilling for oil and natural gas and to terminals for liquefied natural gas off...
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MANASQUAN — Mixing government policy with sunshine and sand, Gov. Chris Christie continued his Jersey Shore tour today, saying clean beaches are a key part of the state's economy.
In visits to Manasquan and Seaside Heights, the governor continued to express his objections to offshore drilling for oil and natural gas and to terminals for liquefied natural gas off New Jersey’s coast, two stances he took early in his administration.
"When you balance the economic benefit versus the environmental risk, at least in New Jersey you have to say 'not right for us,'" he said to a smattering of applause.
"Liquefied natural gas. I’m against it. And I’m against it because we have to protect and keep this water clean. There’s other places where maybe it can work better, but not here."
The crowd included sunbathers mixed in with local Republicans and Assemblymen David Rible ( R- Monmouth) and David Wolfe (R-Ocean).
Christie answered reporters’ questions about possible $4 toll hikes for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s bridges and tunnels, saying he spoke with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday about "such a steep toll increase."
Christie would not commit to vetoing the toll hike proposal but said he and Cuomo want to look closely at the how the Port Authority reached its proposed figure.
"We want to know what they’ve been spending the money on," he said.
Before stepping foot on the beach after his press conference, he paid badge checker Trish Heisler $8 for his beach wrist band.
Nearly a dozen members of local 827 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, representing striking Verizon employees stood with signs and leaflets waiting to speak with Christie.
"We’re looking for his help," said Robert Lenox, chief steward for the local. "Squeezing the middle class isn’t going to help the economy. If politicians would get involved…I think it would help."
Christie said he won’t intervene in the labor dispute unless it has a large-scale effect on the state’s businesses and residents.
"I don’t feel it’s my place to get in between the collective bargaining between a union and a private company," he said.
"There’s no role at the moment for me to be getting involved in it. If there comes a point where I feel like the safety or welfare of the people of the state of New Jersey are threatened then that may be a different story."
One onlooker thanked Christie for agreeing to the regulated use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. A woman who’s been out of work for more than two years asked him for help.
"I’m trying," he said.
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