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| Flickr CC via Rowan University |
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apologized for the actions of a top aide to his office Thursday for purposely-closed lanes on the George
Washington Bridge due to a political disagreement. Christie then admitted he
had dismissed the aide.
The lane closures caused a traffic nightmare for days. At the
news conference, Christie said he was unaware of the actions by his top staff
that involved scheming to disrupt traffic on the bridge, due to Mayor Mark
Sokolich not endorsing Christine in his bid for re-election as Republican
governor. Christie was stunned and humiliated by Bridget Anne Kelly, a deputy
chief of staff who engineered the lane closures.
The controversy came to light when incriminating emails sent
by a top aide of Christie’s were released to the public. They stated that the
bridge closures were political revenge to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort
Lee, New Jersey.
The Washington Bridge is known to be one of the busiest
traffic areas in the world, connecting New York City to the state of New
Jersey. The traffic jams schemed by Christie’s top aide lasted four days,
causing long traffic jams that held up the passage of ambulances and school
busses.
According to a local newspaper report, emergency responders
were delayed in answering four medical situations, one involving an elderly woman who
died of cardiac arrest.
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| Fort Lee, NJ/ Flickr CC via richiebits |
“I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of
the people on my team,” said Christie. “I take this action today because it’s
my job. I am responsible for what happened.”
The news of the controversy has cause national attention due
to Christie being a consideration for a top contender to the 2016 Republican
presidential nominee. Christie as of late had been enjoying positive publicity
due to his handling of the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the wake of
Superstorm Sandy that devastated New Jersey in 2012. He was re-elected to
governor in November.
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