In Voorhees, Christie talks about charter schools, ‘Jersey Shore’

Gov. Chris Christie visited South Jersey Wednesday to hear from residents of Voorhees. During his first town hall meeting of the new year, Christie touched on his plan to cut the state income tax by 10 percent. But that was just a small part of the discussion.

The governor addressed a wide range of topics, including the TV show “Jersey Shore.”

“They parachute in these New Yorkers from Staten Island and Poughkeepsie into Seaside Heights and try and make America think they are Jersey kids,” Christie said. “I tell (New York Gov. Andrew) Cuomo, ‘You can have them back anytime you want.’ “

And he discussed the influx of charter schools in the Garden State.

“Let’s make 2012 the year that we fix this problem, because I want to focus charter school expansion into failing districts, not successful ones,” Christie said to cheers.

Many at the town hall meeting were there precisely because of their objection to charter schools.

Melissa Sable, who said she moved into Voorhees because of the schools, said charter schools should not be able to take money from traditional public schools.

“The education is amazing that my children are getting. The experiences they are getting in school are moreso than they would have gotten if they stayed in Philadelphia,” she said. “I don’t want charter schools that are unproven and based on a whim.”

Others at the town hall meeting said they need some tax breaks, but not at the expense of education funding.