Steel Pier, by Khalyn Marie (@discovering_beauty_photography on Instagram)
County Tax Assessor Plan
Hamilton Township officials are opposing a plan that would give Atlantic County a single tax assessor’s office, The Current’s Charlie Pritchard reports. NJ Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo earlier this year proposed legislation that would centralize tax assessment across the county, but the state legislature is not set to take it up before early next year due to elections. The Hamilton Township Committee voted to urge the state’s legislature not to act on the bill without addressing municipalities’ concerns. Township tax assessor Bill Johnson argued that the current setup is more efficient in part because the tax assessor and construction officials are in the same building and can work together to get an assessment more quickly.
Fantasy Sports
Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday signed legislation to tax and regulate fantasy sports companies in a move that could add $6.6 million a year to the state’s budget, reports Christian Hetrick for The Observer. The companies will be taxed 10.5 percent of gross revenue each quarter.
The Noyes Museum of Stockton University is opening its newest satellite gallery at The Claridge, Atlantic City, tonight. The opening reception for an exhibition of contemporary art from 30 different artists will start at 5 pm and run through 6.15 pm, followed by a party at the Noyes Arts Garage from 6.45 pm (details here.) The exhibition at The Claridge was curated by Yang Qingqing, professor at Shanghai Theater Academy, Carolyn Li, independent curator from United Spaces of Art, David Chen and Kenny Ho. It will run through October 15.
In the rest of the day’s news, Stockton University has temporarily removed a bust of its slave-owning namesake, Gloucester County’s Habitat for Humanity had tools stolen from a site for the third time since the spring, headline writers got a treat with this story about a runaway Cumberland County piglet being captured by a state trooper, Hammonton’s Eagle Theater is getting recognized on a par with Philadelphia’s best, more Kmarts are closing (including one in Moorestown), and it’s national waffle day (have you ever wondered why Waffle House isn’t in New Jersey? The company says maybe someday.) All that and more below:
Rescuers Treating Shark-Bitten Seal Found on Jersey Shore Beach–The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is caring for a seal found on a Sandy Hook beach with a huge gash from a shark bite. The rescue group based in Brigantine said in a Facebook post that the gray seal's weight is "excellent" but it still may take a few months to heal and able to return to the sea. NJ.com
Atlantic City Memorial Set for State Sen. Whelan–A public memorial will be held for state Senator Jim Whelan on Thursday, Sept. 14, his office announced Thursday. Whelan, who served as a City Councilman and mayor of the city, will be honored at Boardwalk Hall. BreakingAC
Longport’s Mike McGrath and Sean Duffey Win Hammer Row–The Longport Beach Patrol crew of Mike McGrath and Sean Duffey won the 12th annual Hammer Row in 38 minutes, 51 seconds Thursday at Seaview Harbor beach in Egg Harbor Township. The 3.8-mile doubles race went from Seaview Harbor beach to the Longport and Margate intracoastal waterway and back. Press of Atlantic City
Green Fest Shows How to Live a Sustainable Life–Last Saturday marked the 5th Brigantine Green Fest, an opportunity for the community to learn how to live life sustainably while having fun. Vendors, local businesses and sponsors helped to turn Haneman Park into a festive, fun and educational outdoor marketplace. Shore News Today
OceanFirst Helps Bridgeton Launch Healthy Food Express–The program includes a new state-of-the-art bus that will shuttle healthy and nutritious meals. www.snjtoday.com
$1 Million Dollar Powerball Ticket Sold in South Jersey–While the Powerball winner of the $750 million jackpot was not from New Jersey, 28 others in the state, including here in South Jersey, still woke up with some extra cash in their pockets. www.snjtoday.com