Icahn & The Taj
Icahn said he will sell the Taj Mahal after Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have prevented Icahn and others from sitting on a casino license for a shuttered property. Christie said the bill was a “transparent attempt to punish the owner of the Taj Mahal casino,” and Icahn said “I believe other large investors will similarly have no interest in investing significant amounts in Atlantic City or New Jersey as long as Sweeney is in control of the Senate.” Sweeney retorted that the veto “will allow Icahn to exploit and manipulate bankruptcy laws and casino licensing regulations in ways that would enrich himself at the expense of regular casino workers and the families who depend on them.” So there you have it, via Reuters. The big men got shouty and Atlantic County is still down a casino. Plus ca change.
Pedestrians
More than 500 pedestrians have been killed in New Jersey since 2014, the most in any three-year stretch since the early 1990s, NJ 101.5 reports. Another pedestrian died in Galloway Township last night. Some lawmakers want changes to 2010 legislation introduced by Corzine. Here’s what Assemblyman Chris Brown said of the proposed changes: “What we have done is try to codify common sense and make sure that people use the good brain that God gave them before they cross the street. And you would think you wouldn’t necessarily need to put some of these common sense items into writing, but unfortunately you do.” Read more here.
Brown Park Revisited
We went to check out Brown Park in Atlantic City, where renovation began last December after years of effort. Read the story and watch our video featuring a local resident who is relieved to see the work being done.
State Budgeting
Did you know that compared to its neighbors, New Jersey is the only state that has failed to return its revenue to pre-recession levels? Stockton University looked into just what, exactly, is up with the state’s budgeting issues and what can be done about them. In news that will surprise no one who has ever had to read a municipal, county or state budget in New Jersey, there are a whole lot of problems. Stockton’s main criticism was the state’s failure to set up a fund to deal with revenue forecasting errors. You can read the full report here on Stockton’s site, or the Press of Atlantic City rundown here.
Click here to get the Route 40 Roundup delivered to your email inbox each weekday.
The rest of today’s headlines include a bill that could make it easier for TEN-formerly-known-as-Revel to open, plus a Ventnor mom sentenced to eight years prison for giving her baby daughter a fatal dose of methadone, and a new Denny’s in Millville that is looking to hire. All that and more below:
Proposed bill could make it easier for Revel to reopen–TRENTON — A state senator has introduced legislation that could move the former Revel, now know as TEN, closer to reopening. Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey residents find hidden gems, surprises in genealogy search–Diane Miller found herself at the foot of a wood-paneled house in Connecticut. Press of Atlantic City
Oaklyn Creek Cleanup Turns Into Early Morning Water Rescue–When Oaklyn purchased its own Truxor amphibious vehicle a few years ago, it was done to help the borough control an overgrowth of aqueous plant life in Peters Creek without waiting for approval from the county government. NJ PEN
Ventnor mom sentenced in death of baby daughter–A mother who admitted to giving her daughter a fatal dose of methadone was sentenced to eight years in prison Monday. Lisa Scalia, 33, said her life changed when she found out she was pregnant. BreakingAC
Teacher Prevents Pupil From Choking–At last Thursday’s Pemberton Township School Board meeting, a surprise recognition ceremony was held for a first-year teacher who prevented a fourth-grade girl from choking. She may have saved her life. pinebarrenstribune.com
Job Seekers, Get Ready to Apply at Denny’s in Millville–The company looking to open a Denny's Restaurant at the Cumberland Crossing shopping center later this year is hiring this week. A two-day job fair is planned for Thursday and Friday this week at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites located at 398 Smith St. in Vineland. The Daily Journal
South Jersey Gas Announces Game On Grant Program Accepting Applications to Support Local, School-aged Children–South Jersey Gas, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, recently announced the kick-off of its annual Game On Grant Program. Twenty grants in the amount of $1,000 each will provide critical support needed to sustain local, community-centered athletic programs, leagues, clubs, associations and recreational organizations for children. Cape May County Herald
Icahn to sell closed Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City–Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn said on Monday he planned to sell his shuttered Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, likely bringing an end to his troubled relationship with the city. www.reuters.com
Christie says no to punishing Icahn for closing Trump Taj Mahal–TRENTON -- Saying the measure represents the New Jersey Legislature "at its worst," Gov. Chris Christie on Monday vetoed legislation that he called "a transparent attempt" to punish billionaire investor Carl Icahn for closing the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City last year. NJ.com
Bay Head residents tell judge they don’t want beach replenishment project–TOMS RIVER -- A few months before a $128 million beach replenishment project is set to start for a 14-mile stretch of Ocean County, a Superior Court judge on Monday started hearing testimony about whether the work should be done at all. NJ.com
Northfield Sweetheart Dance gives dads and daughters a night to remember–The music was cranked up, and little girls and their daddies crowded the dance floor Feb. 3 at the Northfield Community School\'s second Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance Friday. Shore News Today
Ventnor couple bonded with community over the drugstore counter–VENTNOR – After 71 years of marriage and more than nine decades on the planet, a local couple is still feeling the love – not only for each other, but for the community they served for many years. Shore News Today
Hamilton Mall show highlights joys and aims of Boy Scouting–The Sea Pines District of the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America held its annual Scout Show Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Hamilton Mall. Shore News Today
Why NJ lawmakers want to get rid of the stop-for-pedestrians law–More New Jersey pedestrians have been killed since 2014 than in any three-year stretch since the early 1990s. A proposal seeks to assign them more responsibility for traffic safety. New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio