Beach Trash
New Jersey’s ocean and beach cleanup group Clean Ocean Action released its annual report and NJ.com runs down the list of things the group found on beaches last year: a toilet seat, a pink flamingo, decorated Christmas trees and so much more. The next round of beach sweeps organized by the group are this Saturday, from 9 am to 12.30 pm, and here is the list of beaches where a cleanup is being organized, plus details on how you can join in.
Town Hall
Your 12-term (yes) U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo has opted to hold meetings with individual residents, groups and organizers, as well as taking questions on radio shows and (he says) replying to Tweets (@replobiondo), instead of appearing at a town hall. So yesterday a group calling itself Cooper River Indivisible held a town hall meeting to which LoBiondo was invited, but he didn’t show up. And they tweeted to him, but he didn’t reply. Amy Rosenberg has the story.
Picture from the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, by @southjerseyadventurer on Instagram
Early Retirement Spin
State Senator Jim Whelan wants early-retirement benefits to buy out Atlantic City police and firefighters. Christian Hetrick has the details for the Press. There’s been a lot of back and forth over the cuts. It seems the state is winning some warped spin campaign here, which is that the more time we all spend talking about police and fire salaries, the less attention we’re likely to spend on the real causes of Atlantic City (and the county’s) fiscal distress: tax deals and debt. Oh, and remember the water authority? That’s still at stake. The takeover legislation gives the state power to sell or dissolve the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority. As a reminder, there’s a press conference today at 1.30 in Atlantic City’s Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss the water privatization possibility.
It was a busy day on Route 40‘s site yesterday: We had a story on For Atlantic City, By Atlantic City, a new nonprofit that is planning an open-air dining extravaganza at Bader Field as a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club, plus news on Atlantic City’s bike loop project, and the search for a statue for Brown Memorial Park. Thanks to our sponsor, Island Vapes, and all our members for the financial support this week!
In the rest of the news from the last 24 hours, Atlantic City’s former Mayor Lorenzo Langford was fined for filing an election form 598 days late, here’s video and a writeup of the latest beautiful building to be torn down in AC, and climate change is probably making asthma worse in New Jersey. All that and more below:
Housing Authority Property Manager Accused of Stealing Checks Meant for Atlantic City Tenants–A Pleasantville Housing Authority property manager was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing $826 in HUD checks — and a $9.39 toilet seat. Cheryl Bradshaw, 59, of Atlantic City, is charged with official misconduct and theft of checks issued to tenants of the Barlinvis Apartments in Atlantic City, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said. BreakingAC
Defense Attorney Questions Fairness in Atlantic County Case Where Judge is Now Prosecutor–A criminal defense attorney is questioning the timeline after the judge in his client’s murder trial became the prosecutor three months later. Damon Tyner was an Atlantic County Superior Court judge in December, when he presided over the trial of Rodney Smiley, accused of murder and other offenses in the 2012 killing of an Atlantic City man. BreakingAC
Egg Harbor City Council Embarks on Water and Sewer Study–Egg Harbor City Council earlier this month voted to authorize the city’s engineering firm to conduct a water and sewer utility system study. Remington and Vernick's study, approved April 13, will include a 20-year capital plan, rate evaluation and an asset inventory. Shore News Today
March for Science Planned in Atlantic City Saturday–Stockton University student Maharshi Patel is coordinating a local March for Science on the Atlantic City Boardwalk Saturday to raise awareness of science and climate issues along the shore. Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Political Boss Employs Assemblyman Wisniewski’s Daughter–Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville) filed a financial disclosure statement that shows one of his daughters is employed at Cooper Health System, a taxpayer funded teaching hospital and biomedical research facility located in Camden, that is controlled by the undisputed South Jersey political boss. South Jersey’s most prominent politician, Democratic power broker and millionaire insurance executive George E. Norcross III, was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie as Chairman of the Board at Cooper. njtoday.net
Local Honey May Be The Solution This Allergy Season, Says Local Beekeeper–Come Spring, pollen counts seem to be constantly rising in South Jersey causing allergies to flare up for many. However, a Gloucester County business has a local, fresh way to wave goodbye to those annoying allergy symptoms. www.snjtoday.com
Atlantic Cape to Host Beer, Music and Food Fest–Atlantic Cape Community College will host a South Jersey Craft Beer, Food and Music Festival on Saturday, June 3. There will be two sessions for the festival, noon to 4 pm and 6 to 10 pm, tickets for each session are $30. Press of Atlantic City
LoBiondo Announces Nearly $8,000 to Oceanville Fire Company–Congressman Frank LoBiondo announced a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to an Atlantic County firehouse. The Oceanville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 will receive a total of $7,934 from the AFG. www.snjtoday.com
Financial Transparency Almost Unknown Among NJ Gubernatorial Hopefuls–Financial transparency among candidates has become a key issue after Donald Trump refused to release his tax returns during his candidacy or even after he was elected. But despite the New Jersey Legislature’s calls to force online posting of future presidential candidate’s tax returns, the state’s own requirements for gubernatorial candidates reveal little. www.njspotlight.com