Christie caught lounging on closed beach during budget standoff

Chris Christie enjoyed his own private island Sunday, soaking up the sun in a waterfront Jersey Shore park that he closed to the public.

The governor was spotted lounging on a chair at Berkeley Township’s Island Beach State Park — which was among the public facilities shut down because of a budget standoff between him and state legislators.

After his morning tanning session, Christie headed to Trenton and held a news conference about the government shutdown.

When asked by reporters in Trenton if he got to enjoy the clear summer day, the governor demurred.

“I didn’t,” he said. “I didn’t get any sun today.”

Christie’s spokesman was later told about photos of him at the beach — and claimed the governor’s baseball hat shielded him from any rays.

“He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on,” the spokesman, Brian Murray, told NJ.com.

“The governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading in to the office,” Murray said.

Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state services, like parks and motor vehicle offices, on Friday after he and lawmakers failed to agree on terms.

Among those affected were Cub Scouts forced to leave a state park campsite and people trying to obtain or renew documents from the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Liberty State Park was also closed, forcing the suspension of ticket sales and ferry service from the site to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

But while New Jersey residents griped about the inconvenience, the governor appeared undeterred, blaming the stalemate on state Democrats.

“It should end today. Send me a budget,” he said. “I’m ready to work, but I can’t work if I don’t have any money. These guys have to get their act together.”

At the press conference, Christie said he would take a helicopter back to his state-owned mansion to enjoy the rest of the day.

“That’s where my family is sleeping so that’s where I’ll sleep,” he said. “When I have a choice between sleeping with my family or sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.”

When asked if it was “fair” that he could relax at his palatial beachside compound while the public has to endure the shutdown, Christie had a suggestion.

“Run for governor and you can have a residence there,” he said.

With AP

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