By Young Soo Yang
2011 was a year marked by the force of mother nature as one natural disaster after another pounded the state. A force of a different kind brought change and a national spotlight to New Jersey. It came in the form of Governor Chris Christie who many in the GOP hoped would enter the 2012 Presidential race. Here are the stories that impacted New Jersey in 2011:
Christie’s Pension and Health Reforms
Governor Chris Christie’s greatest political triumph of 2011 came on June 28 when he signed legislation that required half a million public workers to pay more for their pensions and health insurance. And he got help from top Democrats in the Legislature, including Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, who hurt his standing with the unions. Public workers didn’t go down quietly. They descended onto Trenton, camped out in tents and closed roads to protest the proposed changes. The law is now the subject of quite a few lawsuits.
Christie’s Emergence as a National Political Figure
With no clear frontrunner for the GOP Presidential nomination, the Republican courtship of Chris Christie became a national soap opera. Despite repeated denials, Christie could not put to rest the rumors that he would run on the Republican ticket for President in 2012. The story reached a fever pitch in September when reports surfaced that Christie had met with Fox News president Roger Ailes, as well as a number of Republican bigwigs and donors. However, Christie held a press conference on October 4 to give his final “no.” The number of media outlets represented at the press conference was a testament to Christie’s star power. Christie remains a national political figure as he continues to stump for Mitt Romney in his quest to win the Republican Presidential nomination. This has only fueled VP rumors about a possible Romney-Christie GOP ticket.
Earthquake
On August 23, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled homes and office buildings along the east coast, Although the epicenter was near Richmond. Va., the tremor was felt from South Carolina to Maine. Workers in multi-storied buildings spilled out onto the streets, and police departments throughout the state were flooded with calls from anxious residents. Although there were reports of minor structural damage in some parts of Virginia and Washington D.C., the impact of the quake was minimal. The collective shock, however, did provide residents unaccustomed to geological tremors with countless stories of the surprise earthquake.
Tropical Storm Irene
The hurricane that was downgraded to a tropical storm wreaked havoc throughout the state as overflowing rivers turned streets into moats marooning thousands of New Jerseyans. The Delaware, Millstone, Peckman, Passaic, Ramapo, Raritan, Rockaway and Saddle rivers all reported major flooding. So extensive was the damage that it prompted a visit from President Obama to Paterson, one of the hardest hit by Irene. Obama declared all 21 counties a federal disaster area.
9/11: Ten Year Anniversary
Ten years after the terrorist attack that changed the country and the world forever, New Jerseyans looked back to remember those who died that day. After New York, the Garden State lost the most residents – nearly 700. Ceremonies, memorials and vigils were held throughout the state to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
October Snowstorm
A freak October snowstorm hit New Jersey on the eve of Halloween, leaving in its wake icy roads littered with downed trees and power lines, and power outages for thousands. Some were left without heat and electricity for over a week after the storm. The utilities came under fire. JCP&L felt the wrath of customers’ ire and was even singled out by Governor Christie for its emergency response.