Boardwalk Biking
I was warned off cycling on the Atlantic City Boardwalk near Tropicana on Wednesday around 1.45 pm, where two patrol cars and four police were stopping cyclists. There are four hours during the winter when the Boardwalk (and only between Albany and Connecticut Aves) is closed to cyclists. I was motivated to look up the ordinance because – after the Boardwalk cycling rules were extended last year – the signs were patched over and they no longer make a lot of sense. They also no longer match the ordinance, I discovered. Read the ordinance for yourself here – it says winter-time (Sept 16-May 14) cycling is permitted from 4 pm through 12 pm the next day. The signs say it is permitted from 6 am to 12 pm and then again from 4 pm to 7 pm. I have no idea why the signs are different but there are frequently confused cyclists looking at the signs and trying to figure out the rules. The fine for violating the rules is $54. – Elinor
One of our favorite AC skyline shots. Photo by Susan Rogozinski (@suerogo0624 on Instagram).
Senate Race Spending
Two South Jersey legislative districts are among the state’s biggest spenders – and fundraisers – in this year’s election cycle, The Press of Atlantic City’s John DeRosier reports. The races for the senate seat in the second and third legislative districts are particularly acrimonious this year with both sides spending big on TV ads (in case you hadn’t noticed). In LD3 (most of Gloucester, Salem and parts of Cumberland counties), the NJEA is helping fund a Republican’s attempt to upset Senate President Steve Sweeney in a race that is on track to shatter election spending records in New Jersey.
Cranberries
New Jersey’s cranberry harvest is expected to be smaller than last year – down 9 percent – reports Waldy Diez for the Press of Atlantic City. Numbers from the Department of Agriculture attribute the projected decline to a return-to-normal production after a bumper crop last year across the United States. The national harvest is expected to be down 6 percent (see the DoA report here). WHYY reported earlier this month that New Jersey cranberry farmers were concerned the extended Indian Summer would mean fewer berries would turn deep red, affecting the quality of their harvest. The Press’ Diez, however, found that the New Jersey Department of Agriculture does not expect the weather to affect the harvest. New Jersey’s cranberry business is a distant No. 3 in the country, behind Wisconsin and Massachusetts.
In the rest of the day’s news, individual and small business health insurance costs in New Jersey have risen by double digits for 2018, Guadagno and Murphy were light on property tax plans in last night’s debate, a cautionary tale for New Jersey (maybe): Connecticut raised taxes but still got hit with budget shortfalls and ratings downgrades, and read how Collingswood residents are talking less about politics and more about their town’s culture (a Voting Block story via NJPen). All that and more below:
Doctor’s License Suspended Over Painkiller Claims–A state board has suspended the medical license of a Burlington County doctor, accused of prescribing painkillers "without good cause." The doctor, Moishe Starkman, admitted no wrongdoing in consenting to the suspension, according to the state's Board of Medical Examiners. www.courierpostonline.com
South Jersey Teacher, Jailed For Making Upskirt Videos, Must Pay His Victims–When her high school English teacher called her to his desk for an alleged disciplinary problem, the student became suspicious. He was holding an ink pen in a strange manner. www.philly.com
Guadagno, Murphy Light on Details on Property Tax Plans–New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes have been the dominant issue for voters ahead of the Nov. 7 election, but through two general election debates, the major-party candidates for governor have left some important blanks in their plans of attack. observer.com
Christie Appoints New Leader for State Police–New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday a replacement for the head of the state police, who is retiring. www.philly.com
Atlantic City Police Part Of National Operation Focusing On Human Trafficking–Atlantic City police helped arrest 24 women and one man in an FBI-led national investigation into focusing on human trafficking. breakingac.com