In news from the paranormal school of clickbait, Philly Voice reported on a Mountain Lion possibly roaming through South Jersey (wait – you didn’t realize you were living in a mountainous snowy wonderland? Us neither). There was “trail camera” footage, a genre familiar to everyone who’s ever googled ‘Jersey Devil’ or ‘Big Foot’, and Winslow Township police were on the case. Spoiler alert – the story was later updated and the party poopers at the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife snuffed out the wannabe viral image. ‘Tis the season, folks.
In totally non-viral news, your congressman Frank LoBiondo of NJ’s second district has been a money-making machine during this campaign season, in spite of his abrupt u-turn to jettison his support from The Donald’s ship after it appeared to start sinking the other week. NJ Spotlight has the details of how LoBiondo’s $1.3 million cash pile is outstripping his democractic rival David Cole by more than it costs to run an Atlantic City casino these days.
Hey, it’s 72 degrees today – get outside already! Tomorrow’s going to be an October scorcher in the 80s.
For more of what we’re reading today, check out:
Money Shakes Up New Jersey’s House Races– Record fundraising numbers and millions of dollars in outside spending are shaking up House races across New Jersey this election season, although not apparently in the 2nd district. Democratic hopeful David Cole has raised $74,865 since January 2015, but that’s nowhere near the $1.3 million Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo has amassed in the same time.
Atlantic City Council to Vote on Selling Bader Field to MUA–City Council will vote Wednesday on key parts of the city’s fiscal plan to avoid a state takeover, including selling Bader Field to its water authority for $110 million. Council also will vote on new labor agreements between the city and its seven worker unions. The City Clerk’s Office said details of the deals would be released Tuesday. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City Fails to Heed Budget Request as Rift Grows–For the financial view on the latest in the Atlantic City/State back-and-forth, try Bloomberg: The rocky relationship between Atlantic City and the state of New Jersey experienced more turbulence after a disagreement over whether the city submitted an annual budget. Bloomberg.com
Alumni Donate $25 Million To Rowan Fossil Park–Two Rowan alumni have made a multimillion-dollar investment in both the past and future of South Jersey. Ric and Jean Edelman on Monday announced a $25 million gift to preserve and expand the Rowan University Fossil Park in nearby Mantua Township. Press of Atlantic City
New College, Aviation Maintenance Program In Works For Atlantic County–Another college may soon be coming to Atlantic County, and it could provide valuable training in a growing industry in South Jersey. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, located in New York, has been working with the county, the New Jersey/New York Port Authority and others to bring an 18-month certification program in aircraft maintenance to the Atlantic City International Airport to provide maintenance. Press of Atlantic City
Christie’s Latest Big Idea Not Going Over Well In A.C.– Officials in this gasping seaside city are fending off a state directive that it raise taxes to help plug a gaping budget deficit and reduce its dependence on state aid. "We're not," Chris Filiciello, the chief of staff to Mayor Don Guardian, said Monday and the mayor issued a lengthy letter detailing all the other efforts the city is making to trim costs rather than raise taxes.