Governor Chris Christie is not changing his mind and stands by his order to have flags lowered at half-staff on Friday for Whitney Houston’s funeral.

At a press conference in Hudson County, Christie said there are many contributions one can make to New Jersey that merit the honor.

“Some of them are political, some of them are military, some of them are police and firefighters and some are cultural and I think all of those contributions, when done at their best are significant.”

Christie rejected criticism that Houston forfeited the good things she did for the state because of her battle with substance abuse.

“I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that Whitney Houston made a significant cultural impact on the people of our state and the people of our country and I believe she needs to be honored for that cultural impact as a daughter of New Jersey.”

The governor said Houston was not a role model in every aspect of her life, but he is disturbed by people who are negating her accomplishments because of her struggle with addiction.

“This is a disease that some people struggle with and conquer on a day-to-day basis, and some people succumb to it, but that shouldn’t mean because of her history with substance abuse that she doesn’t deserve the honor. I just reject that on a human level.”

Christie said some people are being critical without knowing the facts and accusing him of treating Houston better than soldiers .

“The fact is I have ordered flags flown at half-staff for all 31 fallen soldiers during my time in office and any fallen police or firefighter.”

Flags will be lowered at all state buildings on Friday, the day of Houston’s funeral in Newark.

PRIVATE VIEWING FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON ON FRIDAY

The family of Whitney Houston will hold a private, camera-free viewing on Friday at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark.

TMZ reports that the family wanted a “special moment alone” with Houston. The viewing will also be the first time daughter Bobbi has seen her mother’s body since the weekend when she was hospitalized for anxiety when she was not allowed back into the Beverly Hilton by police as they worked the scene.

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ARETHA FRANKLIN, STEVIE WONDER TO PERFORM AT FUNERAL’ KEVIN COSTNER TO SPEAK

Aretha Franklin
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Whitney Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin & Stevie Wonder will perform at her funeral on Saturday according to the New York Daily News.

Others on the guest list for the invitation-only funeral at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark on Saturday include Oprah Winfrey, singer Darlene, record exec L.A. Reid, Houston’s off-and-on boyfriend Ray J and his sister Brandy, singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson,  Rev. Jesse Jackson, singer Chaka Khan and Houston’s musical mentor Clive Davis, sources said.

Houston’s leading man from The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner, will speak at the funeral as will Clive Davis.

The family has allowed the Associated Press to have one camera to be inside the church during the funeral; AP will make their coverage available online and to broadcast outlets. This Townsquare Media NJ website will have the video stream available on Saturday.

NETS HONOR WHITNEY HOUSTON

The New Jersey Nets honored the late Whitney Houston by playing her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” from the 1991 Super Bowl before their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

The Newark-born singer died in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday at the age of 48. Her funeral will be Saturday in Newark at the New Hope Baptist Church, where she sang as a child. She will be buried in Fair View Cemetery in Westfield, where her father, John Russell Houston Jr., was buried in 2003.

Houston’s stirring rendition of the national anthem came at the time of the first Gulf War.

WHITNEY HOUSTON’S MOM STILL TRYING TO KEEP BOBBY BROWN FROM FUNERAL

Whitney Houston's mother Cissy arrives at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark
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Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, is still trying to keep Bobby Brown from attending Saturday’s funeral at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark according to TMZ.

It all comes down to money; Cissy is concerned that Bobby is trying to get his hands on Whitney’s money by profreesing concern for daughter Bobbi Kristina’s well-being. The Houston family believes he is the one responsible for Whitney and Bobbi’s turn towards drugs.

Friends tell TMZ  he is well aware of the family’s animosity toward him and wants to bury the hatchet for the sake of his daughter.

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