Greetings, Route 40’ers, Happy Beltane Eve if you’re into that kind of thing. I am into that kind of thing. Why is it so cold outside?
In realer news, Matt Skoufalos at NJ Pen published part I of a series on the “challenges behind municipal mergers” and the roots of home rule in New Jersey, a big topic that touches on a lot of issues close to everyone’s hearts, including why we pay so much property taxes and how do we finance your spouse’s job with the government?
Part I of Big Skouf’s series is on roads and how we went from 125 towns in 1834 to more than 540 by the 1920s.
A Walhburger Will Rise!
The A.P. has reviewed Bruce Deifik’s plans for the new Revel and there will be glass safety panels beside the terrifying old elevator, a set of”welcoming” stairs connecting the porte cochere to the boardwalk and lots of Mark Wahlberg, who is bringing with him his famous hamburger restaurant and a bar called “Entourage” that sounds terrific.
Kevin Riordan from the Philly Inquirer profiled a composer who plays his music outdoors and went to the southern tip of Long Beach Island for inspiration, and generally I’d be a little dubious about allegations like, “The ocean hangs out down here, and this is where the birds are,” but Ween recorded their album The Mollusk in Holgate so maybe there’s something to it.
For more feats of journalism from across South Jersey, do see below:
Marijuana reform panel discusses social justice component to legalization–PLEASANTVILLE — A group of religious leaders and advocates in the state met Wednesday to discuss a component of marijuana legalization to consider: social and racial justice. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Goat yoga is exactly what it sounds like. And it’s ridiculously fun (VIDEO)–Okay, let's get this out of the way right up front about goat yoga. There's probably going to be some poop involved. No kidding. www.nj.com
Opioid town hall coming to Little Egg Harbor church–Ocean County has been one of the state’s hardest-hit areas in the current opioid epidemic, but organizations, treatment advocates and law enforcement are working hard to change that. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Is your commute safe? NJ Transit won’t share state of bridges, some older than 100 years–Tens of thousands of NJ Transit commuters cross them on trains every day. But the statewide public transportation agency, which maintains hundreds of rail bridges, won't share any information with the public that would reveal whether they're safe or not. www.northjersey.com
MURPHY TALKS MASS TRANSIT, INFRASTRUCTURE TO REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION–Gov. Phil Murphy’s address on Friday to the Regional Plan Association must have been music to their ears. www.njspotlight.com
7,125–The next time a Jersey cop pulls you over and writes a ticket for distracted driving (talking or texting on a cellphone while you’re behind the wheel), you probably should thank them. www.njspotlight.com
Did Republicans just wave the white flag in this N.J. House race?–The head of the committee tasked with electing House Republicans acknowledged that his party has failed to recruit a strong candidate to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo in South Jersey. www.nj.com
Ventnor Education Foundation holds first-ever Color Run–The Ventnor City Education Foundation formed late last year held its first-ever fundraising event Saturday, April 28 at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex. Organizers, who include teachers, parents and community members, hope to make the highly successful Color Run an annual event. downbeachpilot.com