Race To Nowhere Update

by: Bill Orr

Sat Sep 04, 2010 at 09:06:20 AM EDT

Acting Commissioner of Education Rochelle Hendricks, Deputy Commissioner Andrew Smarick and Newark Public Schools Executive Assistant for Innovation and Change Dan Gohl will all appear before the Assembly Appropriations Committee Tuesday to discuss the error that led to the denial of the state's grant application. But the administration has denied the committee's request to have Gov. Chris Christie's Chief of Staff Rich Bagger, Communications Director Michael Drewniak and staffers Maria Comella and Gregg Edwards appear before the committee. Consultant Wireless Generation, which was paid a six-figure fee to aid in the application process has retained an attorney, O'Dowd said, and will not be appearing.

However there remains uncertainty about some attendees and the ability to get documents in a timely way. The Star Ledger reported this morning, "In a statement, Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) said: "The frustration we're experiencing with the administration is that we have not been able to confirm a number of these attendees or secure the documentation we've requested in a timely manner." The Christie administration has not responded to several requests for documents, including one that proves Schundler made the error."

The Record reported today, "A week after he was fired, New Jersey's former education commissioner said he isn't considering taking legal action over his termination.  But in an e-mail Friday to The Associated Press, Bret Schundler said he would like an apology from Gov. Chris Christie."