Death & Dysfunction Update
In 2015, 18-year old Tiffany Valiante, of Mays Landing, was struck by a NJ Transit train in Galloway and the death ruled a suicide. But her family has long maintained the details don’t add up. Now a pathologist hired by the family’s lawyer has argued in court filings that the autopsy report was without scientific merit and investigators didn’t collect enough evidence to determine if the body was even Valiante’s, let alone that she committed suicide.
The Office of the State Medical Examiner is reviewing the case, in connection with the pledged overhaul of the state medical examiner system.
You can read Stephen Stirling and S.P. Sullivan’s earlier Death & Dysfunction story here.
New EDA Head
Tim Sullivan, who has worked most recently in government in Connecticut and New York City, was approved as Phil Murphy’s pick to be the new head of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, though he (Sullivan) emphasized in a press release that it was an honor to return to the Garden State, the place of his birth. Like Murphy, Sullivan’s a former investor banker, though really there’s no such thing as a “former” investment banker. They’re like Marines that way.
On his blog, David Wildstein says Sullivan’s appointment was “initially opposed” by Bill Mullen of the Building & Construction Trades Council (and the CRDA) over his opposition to prevailing wage laws.
$55 Million
The Atlantic City Council held a hearing on the $55 million bond the state’s financial wizards want them to issue to pay debt they (the wizards) deferred until after Governor Christie was out of office.
You can watch video of that here.
“[O]ur grandchildren will be paying the $55m butchers bill,” Jim Kennedy on the Twitterbox says.
The Update Report of the Emergency Manager January 15, 2016 lays out how the state deferred AC 2015 Pension Payment to avoid bankruptcy; our grandchildren will be paying the $55m butchers bill. (see below) pic.twitter.com/rug4TFnGNx
— Jim Kennedy (@ACEconPolicy) February 14, 2018
Bully Sports
In sportsball, NJ.com has a trend piece on high-profile high school sportsball coaches who’ve been impacted (sounds painful!) by the state’s landmark anti-bullying law, citing 13 public school coaches “with at least 175 years of combined experience” who “have lost their jobs or moved on since the law was enacted after being accused of some form of bullying.”
Can we maybe take a step back and ask if it’s weird that this whole professional class of celebrity high-school sportsball coaches has developed, that talks and acts and dresses and competes with one another like its the SEC?
Maybe the grownups aren’t the victims here.
Great story though.
Elsewhere in news across your region:
Murphy Stumps for Tougher NJ Gun Laws in Cherry Hill Visit–Advocating for a package of regulations that he described as commonsense checks against loose federal gun laws, Governor Phil Murphy visited Cherry Hill Tuesday for a panel discussion convened by New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D, NJ-6). www.njpen.com
ON CAMPUS: FORMER PILGRIM ACADEMY STAR AVERY WYTHE LOVING LIFE AT NOTRE DAME–Thomas Aquinas was a 13th century Italian priest, philosopher and theologian. He once said, “to one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Avery Wythe, a 19-year-old from Port Republic, never imagined that philosophy could apply to a college football stadium — until she set foot on the campus of Notre Dame University. glorydaysonline.com
Hanover Street Bridge To Close This Year, Will Be Replaced After 86 Years–Hanover St., one of two main thoroughfares that run through the Borough of Pemberton, is scheduled to be closed for a while later this year to allow for a bridge replacement and officials here are searching for a way to minimize impact on local businesses. pinebarrenstribune.com
OP-ED: NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO COUNTER REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN WITH BOLD ACTION–The new federal tax law has generated a lot of press, sparked a fair amount of outrage, and left many elected officials scrambling to respond with sound policies. www.njspotlight.com
Single mom who lost home in fire counts her blessings–Michelle Wilson lost two cats and everything she owned in the Jan. 14 fire at 1930 Shore Road in Linwood, but she is neither bitter nor angry. She and her 8-year-old daughter, Morgan, and their dog, Lilly, were not home that night. www.shorenewstoday.com
CLOSING LOOPHOLE IN LAW PROTECTING STUDENTS AGAINST SEXUAL PREDATORS–Your child tells you they were abused by their teacher, a sexual predator, and you bring this to the school administration. The school system immediately takes action by suspending the teacher but also agrees to a nondisclosure agreement that allows the teacher to resign and find a job elsewhere without informing their new employer about the allegations. www.njspotlight.com
Thousands apply for local jobs, Valentine’s Day spending and more–This morning's temperatures will start around freezing. See Meteorologist Joe Martucci's 5-day forecast here. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Federal Civil Suit Will Put Atlantic City Police Department On Trial–The Atlantic City Police Department’s policies that allegedly allowed rogue officers to violate suspects’ rights will go on trial Tuesday in a federal civil suit against three officers brought by a convicted burglar. breakingac.com
Bridgeton High claims Cumberland County Mock Trial championship–Mock Trial is an extracurricular activity designed to simulate real life court experiences for students. Student participants prepare roles as attorneys, jurors or witnesses. Mock Trial offers a foundation of ethical and philosophical ideologies in the American justice system. www.nj.com