Christie Slams Atlantic City Mayor For Telling People To Stay
Christie questions Langford's decision to tell residents to stay in direct conflict with Christie's orders.
Gov. Christie hammered Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford's advice that Atlantic City residents to stay where they were even after Christie emphasized the need to evacuate the city.
"Mayor Langford told them to stay at shelters in the city and now they're stuck," Christie said during the a Monday night conference. "Despite my admonition, he gave them comfort to stay."
Atlantic City residents who stayed behind were stuck in a shelter as Hurricane Sandy was making landfall Monday night. Earlier in the day, Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management officials called all first responders off the street for safety concerns.
He went on to say there were some residents who were angry they were told to evacuate during Hurricane Irene, but continued to question Langford.
"He said he didn't want his people leaving Atlantic City," Christie said of Langford when asked by a reporter. "All I know is I read him telling his constituents to stay.
"Now I have emergency personnel risking their lives because Mayor Langford was concerned people were mad. That's not leadership."
During the conference, Christie stated President Obama said to "contact him directly" if there he needed any federal aid he felt he wasn't getting.
"That's leadership I can appreciate," Christie said.
Christie warned those still on the barrier islands not to try to evacuate at this point.
"Get to the highest point possible," Christie said. "I'm very disappointed some decided to disobey my order and in government officials who told them to directly disobey my orders. It's going to cost people over the next several hours."
He reiterated to those watching him Monday night to "please stay home."
"Stay safe, keep your children close, and we will continue to work hard to make sure as many people in New Jersey are safe."
He added 42 roads throughout the state are closed.
NoPower
7:27 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Being Governor Christie has such a desire to keep the cap at 2%, Police, Fire, EMT's, emergency service workers should only give a 2% effort at todays storm!
MMS
7:58 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
And NoPower, who does that hurt? Not Christie, but the people of the state. That is one of the most ridiculous statements that you could have made.
DMM
8:08 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Really? The depth of your ingnorance is staggering. Read, "Dishonest Money" and then tell me what you think.
S. B.
8:10 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
That is irresponsible and I am sure the emergency service workers would not do that. Not professional nor is it ethical.
marksmen99
8:18 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
No Power:
That is the exact attitude that has turned the american public against civil servants...keep it up and you and your union buddies will be publkic enemy #1 in no time.
FOOL
respeck4all
11:08 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Not a good time to be negative, people lost their lives. Respect their families. Christie did the proper thing. This "mayor" of A.C. should be thrown out for sheer stupidity and increasing the danger to the public, during this catastrophy.
Luis Rivera
12:25 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Duh... how about 102%... your math skills are as flawed as your logic!
Doeshtismonikermakemybuttlookbig?
7:52 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Are you kidding me?? Lets not make this about politics!! This is about a bunch of boneheads choosing to put rescue teams in danger..that is ALL it is about!!
Jose
7:56 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
You're a dumbass NoPower! Keeping a cap on property taxes so people can continue to afford to live in Jersey has NOTHING to do with dumbass mayors going against the Governors orders! Now any rescue efforts truly will cost the city money. Stupid to comment that!
Andrew P
8:00 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
That fat bastard appreciated Obama's leadership now after slamming his leadership skills during his convention speech.
tony g2010
8:27 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
It's called lip service, sort of like like when you service your boyfriends, but only he will get a couple of billion for NJ, rather than the beer money you get.
hrhppg
10:40 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Oh so lip service as in we can't trust a word Christie says - even all those nice things about Romney ? Thanks for clarifying that tony g2010.
DMM
8:11 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
The guy jet skiing, the other guy in the scuba gear and then the jogger who was struck by a tree limb tonight are all in violation of directives and cost us a fortune. I'd send them the bill for the services. All are nominees for the Darwin awards.
marksmen99
8:14 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
makes sense as long as we can cut their pay and pensions to 2%...how about we let the public vote on it.
NoPower
8:51 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Case and point where's that loudmouth now bashing public workers? He even blew Obuma today!
Elmo
1:33 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
NoPower NoBrain......
Angelina
9:53 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
F that. These idiots want to stay that's their stupid decision. Why risk the lives of our emergency workers bc they r being stubborn they were.told to leave by the governor. They chose to stay. What happens to them is their problem. Those public and town workers can now help others who really need it. So ur just an idiot. Lay off the politics geez
Mt
9:38 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Someone has to make safe decisions, we put Christie in charge, let him do his job. If you don't like it leave New Jersey
Maryjayne M
10:58 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Wow. I wish every person who commented here would go back and re-read their posts. No intelligent conversation happening here, just low class mud slinging. It makes the residents of our state appear to be uneducated thugs.
Elmo
1:31 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Don't worry Obama The Cluster-Duck will take care of it. Just like he solved Benghazi.
Joseph Keyes
1:36 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Handling disaster information is a tough job but also a bellwether moment for any elected official, and you have to give Governor Christie credit for his presence and empathy shown during this storm. I believe the importance of government becomes clear during such events. Those of us who weathered the storm well need to understand that those who didn’t need the vital assistance that our local, state, and national government provide.