New Jersey Republicans adopt winner-take-all rule, Tom Wilson wins another term, Gill refuses to explain why she's holding up Rabner nomination, Democrats defend Gill, Tom Moran on Lesly Devereaux,National Democrats pouring resources into defeating Frank LoBiondo

 

 

NEW JERSEY BELONGS TO RUDY

“New Jersey Republicans just made Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign a little easier.

Typically, New Jersey delegates are assigned to the winner in each of New Jersey’s 13 congressional districts. But under the “winner-take-all” rule that the Republican State Committee adopted tonight, the candidate with the largest statewide vote will get all of New Jersey’s delegates come the 2008 Republican Convention.

For Giuliani, who’s sometimes referred to as a “pseudo son” of New Jersey, this means he won’t have to spend time and money campaigning in the few local congressional districts that he doesn’t already have locked down. Instead, his campaign can funnel the money he would have used here into more contentious states.” (Friedman, PoliticsNJ.com)

http://www.politicsnj.com/giuliani-campaign-scores-big-victory-n-j-procedural-vote-9505

AS GILMORE GOES, SO GOES NEW JERSEY

Tom Wilson won another term as GOP State Chairman tonight, defeating rival Peter Mancuso.

Mancuso worked hard to become GOP Chair, pleading his case to any county committee officials and Republican players who would listen, but in the end he didn’t have the support to unseat Wilson. While the organization said they do not release vote tallies by custom, Mancuso said he heard the vote was 28 to 10. (Friedman, PoliticsNJ.com)

http://www.politicsnj.com/wilson-easily-re-elected-9504

SHE HAS NO COMMENT. NONE.

“A state senator blocking the confirmation of Attorney General Stuart Rabner as chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court refused yesterday to explain why she opposes his nomination, but other lawmakers said one of her concerns was diversity on the court.

"I have no comment," Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex) said repeatedly as reporters tried to question her before a Senate committee meeting at the Statehouse annex. When they persisted, she threatened to have the reporters thrown out of the committee room………..

Codey dismissed any notion Gill has somehow overstepped her authority or that her concerns are frivolous.

"She is well within her rights to question and probe," he said………..

Gill told the reporters they were not permitted to approach her desk or stand near it, even though she had not convened the meeting. "That I will not allow," she said, calling over Statehouse security guards and ordering them to clear the media out of the room.” (Howlett and Margolin, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818828463960.xml&coll=1

POLITICS101: DON’T TICK OFF THE U.S. ATTORNEY

Democrats defended Sen. Nia Gill Thursday and tried to keep their heads raised in what U.S. Attorney Chris Christie says is a veritable house - and senate - of shame.

Christie brought both arms down on top of the Legislature yesterday as he fumed about senatorial foot-dragging and slammed lawmakers for not promptly moving to approve Gov. Jon Corzine’s nomination of Attorney General Stuart Rabner to the office of Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

"It's absolutely appalling and I am angry and you should be angry too," said Christie, referring in part to Gill’s expressed desire to take her time assessing Rabner’s qualifications, a practice in this case known as senatorial courtesy.

"You should have had it up to your ears with the petty politics of Trenton, with the failure of the people that we elect to represent us," Christie said "... It's petty and small and all that's wrong with politics in this state." (Pizarro, PoliticsNJ.com)

http://www.politicsnj.com/democrats-say-we-have-plenty-time-9503

DEMOCRATS COME UP WITH THEIR OWN TYPE OF WINNER-TAKE-ALL

“That image of presidential candidate Al Gore running up the white flag in the face of the Supreme Court decision of 2000 still mortifies Democrats, particularly Jersey Dems schooled on the battlements of in-your-face politics.

If a candidate can’t be a people’s champion, let the people be their own champions, so runs the logic of populism. At the very least, let the will of the people decide the outcome.

Such is the expressed aim of a bill co-written by State Senators Richard Codey and Raymond Lesniak, which would change how victory is determined in presidential elections, subordinating the electoral vote to the total popular will, or awarding states’ electoral votes - 15, in the case of New Jersey - to the presidential candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide.” (Pizarro, PoliticsNJ.com)

http://www.politicsnj.com/codey-and-lesniak-champion-popular-vote-9499

TOM MORAN CALLS IT THE JERSEY DEFENSE

“Call it the Jersey defense.

Lesly Devereaux, the latest public official hauled into court on corruption charges, conceded yesterday that prosecutors have her nailed on the key facts of the case.

Yes, she threw government work to her ailing mother and her desperate sister. Yes, her secretary devoted the great bulk of her time to Devereaux's private law practice while on the public payroll. And yes, Devereaux tried to hide all this by drafting documents she now concedes were phony.

But she is pleading not guilty.” (Moran, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/moran/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/11818830753960.xml&coll=1

DOES VAN HOLLEN REALLY THINK LOBO IS BEATABLE?

Democrats in the nation's capital are cranking out news releases about Frank LoBiondo faster than ever these days.

Since the beginning of March, they have accused the Republican representative from the 2nd Congressional District of everything from cutting Medicare to failing to support working families to “denying hope to millions by blocking lifesaving research.”

The point of all this is clear: Start to soften up LoBiondo early and then roll in a significant Democrat to run against him — and hopefully beat him — when he's up for re-election next year.

“There are a lot of issues that (LoBiondo) has let the district down on,” said Carrie James, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, or DCCC. “There are a lot of Democrats who feel that LoBiondo is very vulnerable…………….

DCCC officials are reportedly trying to recruit one of three assemblymen — James Whelan, Jeff Van Drew and Douglas Fisher — for a run against LoBiondo in 2008. The legislative districts represented by Whelan, Van Drew and Fisher are all in LoBiondo's congressional district that sprawls across all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem counties, and parts of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.” (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_three/story/7485623p-7380710c.html

“THE MAYOR IS VERY PRINCIPLED”

“Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's disorderly persons trial will proceed Monday morning in Bradley Beach as scheduled, a judge ruled yesterday - rejecting arguments from Healy's attorneys that the trial should be delayed pending an appeal of a related matter.

But Monmouth County Presiding Judge John Colannino's decision will be appealed to the Monmouth County Superior Court, and failing a favorable decision there, to the state Appellate Court, said Joseph Kealy, one of the attorneys representing Healy………..

Asked if his client has considered copping a plea, Kealy said not for a second.

"Nobody really needs this publicity. Nobody really wants it, but someone overreacted during the early morning hours of June 17," Kealy said. "The mayor is very principled." (Thorboune, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1181886995158480.xml&coll=3
WHO’S TO BLAME?

“Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow assumed Raritan Township Committeewoman Chris Harcar planned to file assault charges after a June 3 run-in and called police to notify them, according to a tape of the call.

Karrow told Raritan Township police she thought Harcar was "stinking drunk" when she showed up uninvited at a pre-election night phone banking event and then claimed assault. Karrow also told police she wanted "this whole incident dropped."

"Her statement to the police that she wants this to go away concerns me," said William Courtney, Harcar's attorney.

Courtney didn't elaborate but called the statement suspicious.” (Eilenberger, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1181889708286230.xml&coll=2 OOPS

“A Morris County assistant prosecutor who left her 4-month-old daughter unattended for more than an hour last week in her car in a county parking garage is the focus of an ongoing investigation.

A county employee on June 5 heard an infant crying in a Chevy Impala parked on the P1 level of the garage about 10:10 a.m. and alerted county sheriff's officers.

The county-owned vehicle was traced to the prosecutor's office, which had assigned the car to 10-year Assistant Prosecutor Erin Smith-Wisloff, authorities said.

Wisloff's mother, Mary Ann Smith, on Thursday described her daughter as a loving mother of three who was distraught at learning that morning that a friend had died suddenly. Wisloff normally would have dropped her baby off at day care, but instead went straight to work.

“The baby was asleep in the car when she got to work. She was beside herself (about her friend) and it slipped her mind the baby was in the car," Mary Ann Smith said. "The baby was fine and Erin, eventually, was fine.” (Wright, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/COMMUNITIES32/706150346/1203/NEWS01

DIEGAN: LITERALLY OUT OF IDEAS. BUT AT LEAST HE’S GOT A COMMENT.

“Despite widespread support from lawmakers for the $1.2 million to fund six Olympic sports on Rutgers University's chopping block, the programs were not included in the state's proposed 2008 budget.

"I'm literally out of ideas," said Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Higher Education Committee. "To say the nail is in the coffin is appropriate. As far as I'm concerned, Rutgers is murdering six outstanding programs.

Since the state university announced last summer it would eliminate men's heavyweight and lightweight crew, men's and women's fencing, men's swimming and men's tennis, legislators -- many of whom are Rutgers graduates or have taught there -- say they have been swamped with calls and e-mail messages from parents, students and alumni………….

Diegnan called Rutgers' decision to cut the sports, "unnecessary, shortsighted and ultimately unproductive."" (Alaya, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/11818829803960.xml&coll=1

MENENDEZ LOOKS OUT FOR SOUTH JERSEY

“An initiative to obtain additional funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for anti-terrorism efforts in South Jersey gained steam Thursday with support from a federal lawmaker.

In a letter, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez urged Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to include South Jersey communities just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia in the city's anti-terrorism zone……...

"Only a river separates parts of South Jersey from Philadelphia, but when it comes to this homeland security funding program, you'd think it was an ocean," Menendez said. "For all intents and purposes, an attack on Philadelphia is an attack on South Jersey…………

Currently, federal officials recognize 46 UASI zones in the country, including Chicago, San Francisco and New York City, which incorporates seven North Jersey counties.

Because of the designation, six counties Bergen, Essex, Hudson Morris, Passaic and Union shared $34.3 million in homeland security funding last year. The rest of the state shared $16.7 million for threat protection, according to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Middlesex was recently added to the zone.” (Graber, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181886946158310.xml&coll=8

ZIMMER NOT YET THE WINNER

“Dawn Zimmer cannot be certified as the winner of Hoboken's 4th Ward City Council election until the city clerk gets a court order to open an unused voting machine, the city clerk said yesterday.

Corporation Counsel Steven Kleinman said he plans to file a request with Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli to open the machine. A hearing will likely be held on Monday or Tuesday, and the vote could be certified by Wednesday, Kleinman said.” (Hack, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181887032158480.xml&coll=3 BUDGET NOT SO TRANSPARENT AFTER ALL

“Despite what Democrats call a new era of transparency in state budgeting, confusion reigned yesterday in the state capitol over the amount of money set aside for legislative earmarks.

Republicans charged that the budget is stuffed with so-called "Christmas tree" items, while Democrats, many of them grumbling, said the total is the lowest in at least a decade……….

Republicans said yesterday that, despite their vows of more openness and self-control, the ruling Democrats have barely changed.

"I am amazed that after all of the public posturing on how this was to be an open and transparent budget process, the final agreement was finished behind closed doors at Drumthwacket," the governor's mansion in Princeton, said Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris).” (Donohue and McNichol, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818835343960.xml&coll=1 PASS THE PORK

Here's a list of budget add-ons requested by local state lawmakers geared to local organizations and that were sponsored soley by the legislator. For a complete list of special requests go to www.njleg.state.nj.us.

Sen. Joseph Doria (D-31),Bayonne Medical Center, $ 5,000,000

Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33),Liberty Science Center, $ 3,100,000

Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33), Stevens Institute of Technology, $1,000,000,

Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33), Ellis Island Foundation, $600,000,

Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33), Center for Great Expectations,

$531,000, Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33), New Jersey Council for the Humanities, $250,000

Sen Nicholas Sacco (D-32), Latino Regional Health Affairs, $200,000

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Eastern Stars, $25,000,

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Loew's Theatre, $20,000,

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31)Diamond Dawgs Baseball Clinic, $10,000

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Greenville American Little League Baseball Clinic, 10,000,

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Korean War Veterans of Hudson County, $5,000,

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, $5,000,

Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-31), Association of Pakastani Americans for Community Org., $ 3,000

Assemblyman Brian Stack (D-33), North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, $1,000,000,

Assemblyman Brian Stack (D-33), Urban League of Hudson County, $250,000,

Assemblyman Brian Stack (D-33), Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation, $250,000,

Assemblyman Brian Stack (D-33), Girl Scouts of Hudson County, $100,000,

GRAND TOTAL $12,359,000. (Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181887353158480.xml&coll=3
BUDGET NOT SO KOSHER AFTER ALL

“Of the $189 million that Democratic legislators tacked on to Gov. Corzine's proposed $33.29 billion budget, Senate President Richard J. Codey estimates about $10 million is for pet projects.

An Inquirer analysis places the figure higher, between $25 million and $30 million - including an extra $1.5 million for the Battleship New Jersey, $6.9 million for debt service at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey's South Jersey campus, $100,000 for the Lenape Regional Arts Center, and $400,000 to pay for municipal-park rangers in Washington Township.

Some Republicans say the amount of "pork" in the budget is even greater than that - more than $300 million, counting hundreds of millions of dollars in special aid for cities and school districts that they say benefits mostly Democratic areas.

The amount of pork in the budget depends on how "pork" is defined.” (Moroz, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070615_Budget_serves_up_N_J__pork.html

REPUBLICANS NOT HAPPY WITH BUDGET – SURPRISE!

“A day after Democrats announced proposed changes to the state budget, including at least $100 million added for lawmakers' pet projects and other grants, Republicans said Trenton's ruling party did not live up to promises of transparency while crafting the new spending plan.

Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, pointed to closed-door meetings between Gov. Jon S. Corzine and Democratic legislative leaders that led to a deal on the $33.5 billion budget even before lawmakers' requests for targeted "Christmas tree" spending became public.” (Tamari, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150370/1006

ANOTHER SETBACK FOR FULOP

“By a 7-1 vote, the Jersey City City Council has rejected a call by Councilman Steve Fulop for a special council subcommittee to investigate claims the city misappropriated $2 million in federal funds in the months after 9/11.

Instead of the formal committee Fulop requested - which would have had subpoena powers - City Council President Mariano Vega appointed a three-member ad hoc committee to meet with law enforcement agencies that have already looked into the allegations.

"In typical Jersey City fashion, these persons like private back rooms to figure out what to do with the taxpayer dollar," Fulop fumed after Wednesday's City Council meeting…………..

Vega said the ad hoc committee would focus on policy and procedures, which he said is at the heart of FEMA's complaints.

"If it was this (current) administration," Vega said, he would be inclined to establish a formal council committee with subpoena powers. "But this was two mayors ago." (Thorbourne, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1181887364158480.xml&coll=3

THOSE WHO DO NOT STUDY HISTORY…..

“In 2002, struggling to close a huge budget gap, the New Jersey Legislature hurriedly passed a bill offering thousands of state employees generous early retirement packages. Unions applauded because layoffs had been averted. Gov. James E. McGreevey claimed the state would save millions by cutting its payroll.

But those savings have proved negligible compared with the long-term cost of the plan. By its own accounting, the state would have to set aside $617 million today to finance those sweetened pensions, double the amount it says it will have saved by trimming the work force and reducing salaries.

In the past two decades, New Jersey has on at least four other occasions granted generous early retirement benefits, and in each case, experts say, the plans cost the state more than it saved.” (McGinty and Chen, New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/nyregion/15pension.html?ref=nyregion

POLICE HARASSMENT CASE

Four ranking police officials are asking a state judge to quash a City Hall probe into allegations they harassed a fellow officer because he is gay.

Police Chief Ronald Harvey, Lt. Thomas Romanishin, Lt. Edward Zadroga and Sgt. Michael Harvey -- the chief's son -- filed the action April 24.

A report summarizing the probe into claims made by Officer Robert L. Colle is nearly ready, according to City Commissioner James Parent.

The court appeal asks the city be barred from filing disciplinary charges against the four, and that any mention of the probe be removed from their personnel files. The four also seek repayment of attorney fees and court costs.” (Smith, Daily Journal)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150307/1002 JOHN SCHULTZ WOULD HAVE HAD JUST SIX HOURS TO LIVE

City Councilman John Schultz is recuperating after emergency surgery Wednesday morning.

Schultz said he was tending bar at a charity event Tuesday evening and started to feel sick. He went to the hospital, which ran tests.

“I thought I had food poisoning,” Schultz said from his bed at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. After a scan, Schultz said doctors found his bowel had somehow twisted. They rushed him to surgery at around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

He said he was told that without the surgery, he would have had six hours to live.” (Harper, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic_city/story/7485632p-7380736c.html

TRIVIA QUESTION: WHEN HAZEL GLUCK RAN FOR STATE SENATE, WHO TOOK HER ASSEMBLY SEAT?

“The school has been open almost 50 years, and in all that time Brick Township High has only had one head football coach.

As the school prepares to celebrate a half-century educating Brick's youth, Warren Wolf also celebrates five decades leading the school's football program. "This is our 50th year, and I said to myself, we can't let 50 years go by without doing something to remember it," Wolf said in an interview Thursday at his home in Brick's Midstreams section.

At 79, the coach, a legend in New Jersey high school sports, reached 350 career wins in November. Wolf's program also has turned out many students who went on to Division I colleges, and even has an NFL player to its credit — Art Thoms, a defensive lineman for John Madden's Oakland Raiders of the 1970s.” (Schweiger, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS/706150394

JILTED ENGINEER TOOK HIS GRIEVANCE TO THE PRESS

“Two Monmouth County freeholders — reacting to a county engineer's assertion that he lost out on a promotion to a $138,000 job to someone with weaker qualifications but stronger political connections — claim the engineer "threatened to go to the newspapers if he was not awarded the job," according to a county government spokesman.

However, the engineer, R. Sami Rizkalla of Aberdeen, said the assertion that he issued a threat is not true.

Rizkalla, currently earning about $64,000 annually as a principal engineer for the county, was a candidate for the job as head of the public works and engineering department. The Republican-controlled Board of Freeholders instead appointed Wall's Republican mayor, John W. Tobia, to the position on May 24. Tobia began work Thursday.

Rizkalla — a licensed professional engineer for 40 years with a master's degree in mechanical engineering — said in a story in the Asbury Park Sunday Press that he is more qualified than Tobia, and accused Freeholder Director William C. Barham of pulling strings so the job could be handed to a political ally.

County officials acknowledge that Tobia does not hold similar engineering credentials.” (Jordna, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS/706150392

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

“New Jersey's plan to retool the state Schools Construction Corp. after it grossly mismanaged an $8.6 billion school building program won easy passage from an Assembly committee yesterday, despite concerns it was being pushed toward adoption too hastily.

"This particular bill will go a long way toward helping put the school construction program in New Jersey back on track," Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Essex), chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, said at the start of a 40-minute hearing on the legislation (A4336). "What we have before us is an honest response to a problem.

Republicans agreed the reform legislation was necessary, but said lawmakers were making a mistake in considering the complex bill during the waning weeks of their legislative session. The bill was introduced Monday, and supplemented by 24 pages of amendments yesterday.

"We can't afford to make another round of mistakes on school construction," said Assemblyman Bill Baroni (R-Mercer). "This is too important an issue to be rushed." (McNichol, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818833603960.xml&coll=1

IN MANALAPAN

“The newest member of the Township Committee took her seat at the governing body's regular meeting Wednesday.

Susan Cohen, sworn in at the meeting, was a member of the township Planning Board and president of the township's domestic violence response team. She is running with Mayor Andrew Lucas for the Township Committee in November.” (Williams, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150422/1004/NEWS01

“I’VE HEARD OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS ISSUED TO GANGS TO STOP WITNESS TAMPERING, OR TO THE COSA NOSTRA, BUT NOT TO POLICE OFFICERS”

“A Superior Court judge ruled Thursday there was insufficient evidence of witness tampering to dismiss aggravated assault and official misconduct charges against a Deptford police officer accused of beating a motorist following a traffic stop.

Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson ruled, however, that allegations of interference and intimidation by two Deptford supervising officers could be used during the trial of patrolman John Gillespie………

Gillespie is accused of beating, choking and kicking Joseph Rao, 20, of Philadelphia, following a traffic stop on Feb. 2, 2006.” (Davies, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150366/1006

“A Gloucester County Superior Court judge yesterday issued an extraordinary order that instructs the entire 71-member Deptford police force to "cease, desist and refrain" from intimidating or threatening witnesses in the upcoming trial of a Deptford patrolman accused of beating a motorist during a traffic stop…………

Lawyer John Eastlack, who represents another Deptford patrolman accused in the Feb. 2, 2006, alleged beating of the motorist, said he had never seen such an extraordinary judicial protective order in 20 years as a lawyer.

"I've heard of protective orders issued to gangs to stop witness tampering, or to the Cosa Nostra, but not to police officers," Eastlack said.” (Hefler, Philadelphia Inquirer)

(http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070615_Deptford_police_under_judges_order.html)

“Despite John Gillespie's accusations that two high-ranking Deptford Township police officers have tried to intimidate witnesses, charges against him and two other police officers in connection with the assault of a Philadelphia man were not dismissed. In making her ruling on Thursday, Superior Court Judge Christine Allen-Jackson did find that there was enough evidence, however, for some of these accusations to be mentioned at trial.” (McCarthy, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181887001158310.xml&coll=8

“MY GOVERNANCE MAY BE SACRIFICED, BUT I’M STILL A HUMAN BEING.”

“Over the complaints of the Camden mayor, an Assembly panel yesterday approved renewing state control over the nation's poorest city for another five years.

Under the bill passed 5-1 by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee, the term of Camden's state-appointed chief operating officer would be extended through 2012. It is now due to expire in October………………

But Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison told the committee members of poor communication with the state and its interim chief operating officer, Theodore Z. Davis, a former Camden County Superior Court judge.

She complained that the bill continued to strip her power and said Davis was not including her in decisions, contrary to the requirements of the state recovery act.

"My governance may be sacrificed, but I'm still a human being," said an indignant Faison. (Ung, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070615_Panel__Renew_Camden_oversight.html

“A state Assembly committee on Thursday approved extending the state takeover of Camden for five more years, even though Mayor Gwendolyn Faison complained that state officials running her city have kept her out of the information loop. "I am not the enemy," Faison told the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.” (Baldwin, Gannett)

(http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150372/1006)

IN HILLSIDE

“Is a viable political opposition group forming in Hillside for the first time since Barbara Rowen led a tax reform movement and became mayor in 1996? That question may not be fully answered until the next regular township election in 2009, when the mayoralty and three council-at-large seats are up for vote.” (Jett, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/union/index.ssf?/base/news-2/11818830133960.xml&coll=1)

HIGHLANDS PROTECTION

“Legislation that would have a major impact on the future of open space preservation and housing development in New Jersey was approved by an Assembly committee yesterday.

The proposal would allow cities and towns anywhere in the state to establish "receiving zones," where developers who help preserve open space in the Highlands of North Jersey or the Pinelands of South Jersey could build housing, apartments or businesses.” (Hester, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818827843960.xml&coll=1)

HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY

“The state would be required to identify which hospitals made the most egregious and preventable medical mistakes under a bill approved by an Assembly committee yesterday and championed by AARP and consumer advocacy groups.

The legislation proposes to lift the blanket confidentiality promised by the three-year-old Patient Safety Act, a law that permitted hospital officials to disclose their mistakes in "a non-punitive culture that focuses on improving processes rather than assigning blame." (Livio, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818833423960.xml&coll=1)

MEDVAC

“The New Jersey State Police would remain the primary provider of emergency medevac helicopter services under a bill approved by the state Assembly health committee Thursday.

It would create a two-tiered system allowing State Police to respond to most New Jersey accident scenes that are within a 20-minute flight. If the accident victim is more than 20 minutes away, a private helicopter would be dispatched if that helicopter could get there at least 10 minutes faster.” (Prado Roberts, Asbury Park Press)

(http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS/706150395)

ROAD RAGE!!!

“The next time a car cuts you off, count to 10 or you might be cooling your wheels for 30 days.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill (A4330) that would make road rage a primary offense that could result in a 30-day suspension of a driver's license, a $1,000 fine and a mandatory anger management class. Subsequent offenses within two years could carry a 120-day suspension and $3,000 fine.” (Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818832483960.xml&coll=1)

RUTGERS

“Rutgers failed to consider all the facts when it denied in-state tuition to an undergraduate student who lived in Mount Laurel but had parents in South Korea, the state Supreme Court ruled yesterday.” (Newmarker, AP)

(http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070615_Rutgers_erred_over_residency__court_says.html)

NEW JERSEY GETS A LITTLE GREENER

“A bill committing New Jersey to an aggressive program of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to combat global warming was approved yesterday by an Assembly committee. The bill would make New Jersey a national leader, along with California, in reducing greenhouse gases. Environmentalists endorsed the measure, arguing it would send a message to the nation's capital that a federal approach to global warming is urgently needed.” (Schwaneberg, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818835053960.xml&coll=1)

IN SEASIDE PARK

“A Superior Court judge will be asked to compel state Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy to dissolve the Central Regional School District, permit Seaside Park to withdraw from it or change the district's funding formula.” (Delaney, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS02/706150447/1070)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM CUT

“Affordable housing advocates expressed surprise yesterday after learning the Corzine administration cut $10 million from a $17.5 million program that provides rental assistance to low-income renters.

Administration officials said the aid would be replaced with $10 million from the state Balanced Housing fund to support affordable housing. But the advocates said when the subtracting and adding of dollars is done, there is still $10 million less for affordable housing efforts.” (Hester, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11818831723960.xml&coll=1)

WILDLIFE PANEL

"New Jersey took a step Thursday toward reshaping and redirecting the politics of the appointed body that for decades has turned to hunters and farmers to advise how the state manages wildlife.

The move was not without conflict, as hunters, fishers and farmers opposed to the changes gathered at an Assembly committee meeting with animal-rights activists and others who want the changes.” (Baldwin, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS01/706150371/1006

IN TRENTON

“Trenton Housing Authority Executive Director Dallas J. Parks will step down from his post at the end of July after a tumultuous tenure and just five months after his long-expired contract was renewed.

Parks worked without a contract after it expired in December 2005 until it was renewed by the THA Board of Commissioners in February.

Parks, who plans to retire after he turns 60 next month, said he leaves the authority better than he found it. He said he has been in the business for 17 years and worked at three different housing authorities.

"It's time for me to do something else," he said.” (Loayza, Trenton Times)

(http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181880496214520.xml&coll=5)

KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL

 

“New Jersey drivers may soon have to quit sending text messages, yakking on a handheld cell phone, and careening through red lights.

Two Assembly panels yesterday pushed forward legislation that would make it illegal to send text messages while driving, give police more power to target drivers using handheld cell phones, and allow towns to install cameras to catch drivers disobeying red lights.” (Hester, AP)

(http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070615_N_J__bill_targets_distracted_drivers.html)

IN NEWARK

“A state Supreme Court ruling this week has forced Newark to re-examine its plans to redevelop 182 acres of industrial property near the harbor and airport.

The court ruling limits the way that local governments may use eminent domain to acquire land for redevelopment, making it much tougher for them to take property simply because they say it's not being used to its fullest.” (Malinconico, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/11818833523960.xml&coll=1)

NEWARK’S FINEST

“A Newark police officer indicted last month on a gun charge is no longer on un paid suspension and has re turned to work, authorities said yesterday.

A Newark police spokesman had said on Wednesday that Officer Robert O'Connor had been serving the suspension since May 21, six days after a Mon mouth County grand jury indicted him on possession of a de faced firearm found by police at his Middletown home during a domestic violence call.” (Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/11818834553960.xml&coll=1)

NO MORE FREE CARS IN PARSIPPANY

“It's an issue that drives some in Parsippany crazy: municipal workers who get to take cars home and, after years of talking about it, council members are now proposing legislation to curb the practice.

Citing the "growing tax burden" and the need to reduce expenses, the measure, proposed by John Cesaro and Ann Grossi, would not ban the perquisite but prohibit is suing cars to any new employees………….

"We wanted to eliminate personal use completely," Grossi said. "But my understanding is this is a term and condition of employment and we can't take it away."” (Frank, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-2/11818828273960.xml&coll=1)

GANGLAND

“An army of federal and state law enforcement personnel swarmed across Newark, Paterson and other North Jersey communities yesterday in separate assaults on two of the state's most deadly factions of the Bloods street gang.

Federal agents joined the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in rounding up 15 alleged members of the 9 Tre Gangsters in Newark, the culmination of a yearlong investigation of gun and drug sales at two public housing complexes.” (Kleinknecht and Sterling, Star-Ledger)

(http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/11818828343960.xml&coll=1)