Meet the New Prosecutor
Atlantic County’s new prosecutor, Damon Tyner, was sworn in on Wednesday and Lynda Cohen of Breaking AC was there to hear what he had to say. Violence, drugs and human trafficking are his top priorities, Cohen reports. Tyner is an Atlantic City native and talked about his mission in the context of the community. “I think the opiate problem has more of an impact on the community than the common citizen realizes,” Tyner said. “I’ve seen the drug problem just destroy families, destroy people.” Cohen also has video from the ceremony on her site, at the link above.
Accountability (County-Style)
One of the women motivated to protest Atlantic County freeholder John Carman’s Facebook meme about the women’s march (if you don’t remember, read the Inquirer’s story from January) is taking the idea of holding her elected representatives to account to seriously: she’s now running for his seat. “I was discussing my disgust about this whole thing with my family, they said, `Well, why don’t you run.’ And when I thought about it, I realized that we do need leaders in office who will respect all of our residents regardless of gender, race, creed or sexual orientation,” Ashley Bennett told the Inquirer. Carman, in turn, said, “I don’t know her, so I can’t comment on her candidacy. I do know that I will run against her on my record and I will not allow one misguided meme to define me as a person or as a candidate.”
What Spring?
Filed under: News I didn’t want to read this morning… But it’s going to stay cold through next week with the possibility of snow this weekend. NJ 101.5 has the forecast here.
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The rest of the news from the last 24 hours includes the Atlantic City police joining the lawsuit train after the state moved to slash their pay, a profile of the new Atlantic Cape Community College president, and the Big News that Vince Mazzeo is dropping out of the state Senate run (but still standing for re-election as assemblyman).
Photo by @andrewgaro with thanks to @southjerseyadventures for bringing it to our attention
Historic Batsto Village in the snow. Picture by @andrewgaro on Instagram, with thanks to @southjerseyadventures for bringing it to our attention.
All that and more below:
Food Bank of South Jersey Seeking Summer Sites to Feed Hungry Kids–Any parent of school-aged children can tell you how much they’re capable of eating. In those households where food budgets are supplemented by subsidized meals in the public school system, finding the money to keep kids fueled up as they grow can be even more of a challenge in the summer months when classes are out. NJ PEN
New Atlantic Cape President Ready for a Challenge–As Barbara Gaba stood in a hallway near the Student Life Center, talking to a student, a notice flashed behind her reminding students of upcoming “pizza with the president” days at all three Atlantic Cape Community College campuses. Gaba has been on the job less than two months, but she is already making an impression as the college’s ninth president. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City Police Union Sues to Block Pay Cuts, Planned Layoffs–The union representing the Atlantic City police department is suing the administration of Governor Chris Christie over proposed cuts to the force, which included salary reductions and future layoffs. The cost-cutting plan, which came four months into a state takeover of the financially-ailing resort, also included changes to overtime and a new health plan. Newsworks.org
ACHS Hall of Fame Announces Inductees–The Atlantic City High School Hall of Fame Association announced the 2017 inductees who will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for 11 am Sunday, May 21 at the Atlantic City High School Auditorium. Admission to the ceremony is $5. Shore News Today
American Red Cross in Need of Immediate Donations–More than 100 American Red Cross blood drives were canceled across the East Coast due to this week's nor'easter, and now the organization's officials are scrambling to make sure they have enough blood for those who need it. The Red Cross is in need of blood and platelet donors to consider heading to a blood drive or a collection center near them as soon as possible. www.snjtoday.com
As Power Outages Persist, Gloucester County Opens Warming Center–Prompted by power outages resulting from Tuesday's storm, the county has established a warming center at the Gloucester County Library's main branch in Mullica Hill, officials announced. The facility will be open to anyone in need until 9 pm this evening, giving residents a chance to warm up, charge their electronic devices and get refreshments. NJ.com
NJ Working Families Endorses Murphy in Governor’s Race–Former U.S Ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy has locked up another high profile endorsement in the New Jersey governor’s race. Observer
Ventnor City Hall, firehouse see water damage from Stella–VENTNOR – City Hall and the firehouse sustained damage from Winter Storm Stella Tuesday, March 14 when wind forced rain into the buildings, saturating the police and fire chiefs’ offices. Shore News Today
Cape May residents push freeholders to reject possible ICE partnership–Opponents of a county plan to train three corrections officers in the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office in immigration enforcement showed up to the county Freeholder meeting Tuesday night, the Middle Township Gazette reports. Press of Atlantic City
Vince Mazzeo drops out of state Senate race–Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo has dropped out of the race for the state Senate, citing the recent death of his father and the demands on the family business. Press of Atlantic City