The worst governor ever?

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Do you need more evidence Republican Chris Christie -- in less than four months in office -- is rolling up a record that will earn him the worst-governor-ever title in New Jersey? Forget the bully pulpit. He's just a bully -- taking out his budget problems on schoolchildren, teachers, mass transit users and many others, while scoring big points with the rich and powerful business owners who bankrolled his campaign.

Now, as The Record of Woodland Park reports on Page 1 today, he's denied reappointment to the only African-American state Supreme Court justice and nominated a lawyer who has defended corporations to replace him. Christie is out to remake one of the most respected high courts in the nation; he complains it is too progressive.

At least the Editorial Page today has the good sense to call Christie's court maneuvers what they are: "Politics." Let's hope the Legislature stops his nomination cold.

Why crowd this court story into two columns on the front page? "Christie's high court makeover" suggests it's already accomplished -- far from the truth. Then look at the other ridiculous headline at the top of the page: "Costlier commute is reality." You can imagine a similar headline on a murder story: "Man is dead."

On the front of Local, Hackensack reporter Monsy Alvarado reports Police Chief Ken Zisa has been suspended with pay -- then finally gets around to sharing with readers his inflated salary: $191,606. What has she been waiting for?

But there isn't much local news today, judging from the big photo of a minor traffic accident on L-1. Glen Rock, where Editor Frank Scandale lives, has an education story for the second day in a row -- while Hackensack schools and Englewood's segregated elementary and middle schools are ignored for yet another edition. Could you find a more wonderful head assignment editor than Deirdre Sykes?