Spreading some love in Mays Landing last week – picture by Francesca Migliorati (@bilitis25 on Instagram).
NJ Cop Salaries
NJ Advance takes a look at police salaries and finds that on average across New Jersey they’re now at over $100,000, which is up $14,400 since the last time the news company had a look in 2009. Experts said the pay raises have slowed in recent years, however. NJ Advance also noted that the highest-paid officers are often in the wealthier neighborhoods with lower crime rates (round here, take a look at Ocean City officers who earn – on average – more than Atlantic City cops. Margate and Ventnor’s police salaries are not far behind AC’s either). For South Jersey, Toms River Township has the best paid police on average (and most police in Ocean County are earning more than $90,000), while police in Cumberland, Camden and Burlington counties have much lower salaries.
Kushner Companies
The Kushner Companies could sell a piece of land along Atlantic City’s waterfront as part of a proposed redevelopment plan for Gardner’s Basin, the Press of Atlantic City’s Erin Serpico reports. The plan would allow for the lease-management of the area by city-appointed developer Scarborough Properties. The plan was pulled from the City Council agenda earlier this month after questions from Councilmen and the public. It will be reintroduced next month. The real estate company owned by the family of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law had planned to build a residential and commercial development next to Gardner’s Basin. The company bought the former Garwood Mills department store site in 2004.
AC Firefighters
Fewer than 180 firefighters would be dangerous for Atlantic City’s population and visitors, ruled an Atlantic County judge ruled on Friday in a decision that went against measures pushed by Gov. Chris Christie to reduce the city’s costs. Judge Mendez noted that the city has “unique” needs, such as its casino and convention industries, high-rise buildings, coastal . Also, noted Mendez, “The size of the ACFD has reduced significantly over the years,” from 340 in the 1980s and 1990s to 198 now. The state’s response to the ruling was that the city could not afford to maintain these firefighters and will now need to look at salaries and benefits. Mendez’ decision to place the number of necessary firefighters at 180 was not random, however. It was the guideline laid out in Atlantic City’s own five-year plan at the end of last year (the one that the state rejected, triggering the takeover). Read Lynda Cohen on the detail of Mendez’ ruling and read the full ruling via BreakingAC.com here.
In the rest of the news from the weekend and this morning, New Jersey volunteers have been deployed to help with Harvey relief efforts, a Galloway ‘psychic’ was trying to bilk a man for thousands of dollars, the owner of Charlie’s Bar in Somers Point has died at 65, everyone is still talking about Stockton removing the bust of its slave-owning namesake, German grocer Lidl has started hiring in South Jersey, the NYT looks at money in the NJ governor’s race and the Burlington County Times (paywall) takes a look at the changes the next governor could make to the Pinelands Commission. All that and more below:
Many Words in English, All Saying ‘Welcome’ to These Immigrants in South Jersey–Welcome to a conversational English class sponsored by Crossing the Gap, an all-volunteer program DiGiacomo launched in May to help refugees and immigrants assimilate in South Jersey. Philly.com
How an Egg Harbor City Program Helped Children Eat a Little Healthier–Every Thursday for eight weeks this summer, eight Egg Harbor City youngsters learned to do things like grow vegetables, bake bread and pick blueberries. Shore News Today
Cat Hitches Ride To South Jersey Under Hood Of Car–Police say the owners of the vehicle, who were travelling from Allentown, didn't realize the feline was stuck in the engine until they stopped at Dairy Queen about 100 miles away in Washington Township. philadelphia.cbslocal.com
Police Search for Missing Cape May County Man–State Police were seeking the public’s help Saturday to find a Cape May County man reported missing since Wednesday from a group home in the township. Press of Atlantic City
After Massive Increase in Research, Rowan University Names New Head of Tech Transfer–The appointment comes as the South Jersey school expands its research operations, student body and physical presence. www.bizjournals.com
Summer Program Allows Kids to ‘Shoot Cameras, Not Guns’–As the summer continues to wind down, a unique program in Atlantic County has just wrapped up. The Atlantic County Coalition for a Safe Community held its fourth Summertime Photography Program, exposing children from Atlantic City and Pleasantville to the art of photography. www.snjtoday.com
Could You Pass the South Jersey Citizenship Test?–Do you think you are a true South Jerseyan? Take the Cat Country quiz. Cat Country 107.3
Prison for Ex-South Jersey Fire Chief Who Shared Child Porn From Station–A former South Jersey fire chief who used a computer at his fire station to share child pornography was sentenced Friday to a six-year prison term. John Terruso, 46, of Marlton, headed the Audubon Park Volunteer Fire Company when authorities tracked file-sharing of child porn to a computer at the fire station. Philly.com
AtlantiCare to Eliminate Sugary Drinks From Provider Locations–Patients, providers and visitors at all AtlantiCare locations won’t be able to buy regular sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages on the premises as experts opt for healthier products. Press of Atlantic City
Man Fatally Shot in Atlantic City–A man was killed Sunday night in Atlantic City, police confirmed. The victim — who has not yet been identified — was shot in the first block of South Virginia Avenue after 9.30 pm. BreakingAC