New
Jersey has mountains, seashore and historic treasures by the handful. It is certainly much more than the New Jersey
Turnpike, the frame of reference for the unknowing. The current flap about its
governor and unnecessary closings on the George Washington Bridge (“Bridgegate
as it is now called) did a real disservice to the citizens of the state. But
let's pause for the moment to focus on some positive things.
Visitors
to New Jersey come from near and far. In
general they enjoy themselves mightily, returning home with rich memories.
People from New York State, right next door, have easy access to the northern
end of New Jersey with its extensive beaches, the Statue of Liberty Park and
countless other attractions. Those of us from Philadelphia, just across the
Delaware River bridge, have always considered “Jersey” our second home. Going
“down the shore” was part of our vocabulary.
Beyond submarine sandwiches (“zeps”, “hoagies” or whatever you prefer to
call this delicacy) we share an affinity for cinnamon buns, field grown
tomatoes and sweet corn. Those of us of
a certain age remember our teenage years on the home front during World War II,
when too young to serve in the military, we spent our days in Ocean City,
Atlantic City and other towns along the southern part of the state. Those were
times when members of the Coast Guard and their dogs patrolled the beaches on
the lookout for German submarines that might be landing spies. (From time to
time they did just that along our USA shores.) Adventurous boys and girls hid
in the sand dunes evading these patrols. Days of innocence and insanity to be
sure. These are just a part of my
personal memories. Others have their own fond reminiscences of that great
state, New Jersey.
The
point of all this is to say that even those who are not residents of the State
of New Jersey feel offended. We decry the politically inspired mess and
inconvenience Bridgegate caused to so many hard working people. Equally
onerous, we simmer at the terrible cost to the reputation of the State of New
Jersey. It is reprehensible. Those responsible for this disgrace simply must be
held responsible. Starting at the top, which is usually a very good place to
start.
