Poll: N.J. residents unfazed by Boston attack, irritated by big Rutgers payouts

Most New Jersey residents say the bombings at the Boston Marathon won’t stop them from attending major events.

 

Quinnipiac University Polling Institute director Maurice Carroll says his latest survey shows voters in the Garden State aren’t intimidated by the Boston attack.

“Seventh-three to 24 percent say they’re going to continue to go to large events,” Carroll said. “It doesn’t make any difference, but 49 percent say they are worried to some extent that they or somebody in their family might be the subject of a terrorist attack.”

While concerned about their own safety, the majority of Jersey residents approve of the way President Barack Obama and Gov. Chris Christie are handling terrorism, Carroll said.

A majority of New Jersey residents also say they are not in favor of the payouts given to the Rutgers University officials who left the state school because of the scandal involving the men’s basketball coach.

“The big payouts were a big flop, according to New Jersey voters,” Carroll said. “Two-thirds of New Jersey voters tell Quinnipiac those payouts were too much, and obviously they don’t like the whole idea.”

Carroll says 62 percent of voters support the decision to fire basketball coach Mike Rice, who was dismissed after a video of him taunting and physically harassing his players appeared on ESPN. Rice will receive $475,000 from Rutgers.

Athletic director Tim Pernetti, who resigned in the wake of the scandal, will be paid $1.2 million. Rutgers’ top lawyer, who signed off on Pernetti’s decision to suspend and not fire Rice, also resigned and will receive $420,000.

Residents are divided, though, on the future of Rutgers President Robert Barchi; 25 percent say he should be fired and about the same percentage say he should stay.