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Mark Zuckerberg Just "Believes" In Newark, NJ
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 25, 2010
Modified Sep 25, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 25, 2010
Modified Sep 25, 2010
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Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that he would be donating $100 million to the Newark on the most important political stage, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Excuse us if we're skeptical, but we wondered why Zuckerberg chose Newark when he was born in White Plains, went to Harvard, and really has nothing to do with New Jersey whatsoever. He cleared it up on the show, saying, "Newark is really just 'cause I believe in these guys," speaking of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. It also turns out that Zuckerberg originally wanted the donation to be anonymous. Right!
Booker reportedly called Winfrey last week and said Zuckerberg "wanted it to be anonymous," but Winfrey managed to talk him into coming onto the show. But wherever the grant comes from, Christie says it is much needed (especially since they botched that $400 million education fund). Always with a flair for drama, Christie described a scene at a local gym as parents were waiting to see into which schools their children would be sorted. One mother allegedly told him, "I knew that when his number got picked out [for a good charter school], it was the difference between him going to college of going to jail." However, there might be some problems.
Education Law Center head David Sciarra said it would be "improper and illegal" for Christie to give Booker the authority to make decisions about the Newark Public Schools. Sciarra said, "I have no doubt appropriate legal action would be taken on behalf of the residents of Newark to challenge such a move in court...We’ve had numerous contacts from parents and community and parent leaders concerned over giving any kind of power to the mayor." Won't somebody please think of the children?!
Tagged
Chris Christie
cory booker
mark zuckerberg
new jersey
newark
oprah
Jaya Saxena
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