Pay Raises at CRDA
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority this year awarded pay raises to 29 of its employees, with more than half of that group seeing their pay packet increase by at least 10 percent. The Authority laid off staff earlier this year, citing budget constraints. Read the details of our reporting, based on public record requests. The top earners at CRDA now earn as much or more as the Mayor of Atlantic City and many of the city’s police and firefighters, who were forced in court to accept pay cuts. CRDA’s job is to channel funds from the $3.7-billion casino industry into local economic development, but in a city where one third lives in poverty and unemployment remains high, the Authority does not have a lot to show for its work. Separately, read this write-up in the Press of Atlantic City of a casino lobby group claim that Atlantic City casinos spend on average $2.3 billion a year with 2,000 independent businesses around the state.
Atlantic City, via @nauticalexpressions on Instagram.
Predictive Policing
Vacant lots near laundromats are areas that draw crime in Atlantic City, according to a new policing model of the area. Rutgers Professor Joel Caplan has been working with the city’s police on ‘risk terrain management’ – a new way of looking at crime in cities. Lynda Cohen has the details for BreakingAC.com.
Here’s a voters’ guide for the primaries on Tuesday, via The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Come and meet us! We will be with Lynda Cohen of BreakingAC.com at the Little Water Distillery in Atlantic City on Wednesday from 6 pm. Come and tell us what you would like from your digital news services. We will have suggestion boxes ready and we want to hear your ideas and thoughts on local news.
In the rest of the news from this morning and the weekend, President Trump will host a fundraiser for South Jersey Congressman Tom MacArthur, CBS says Donald Norcross was in Berlin for an Aspen Institute event to meet some Russians, some lawmakers want students to get the Meningitis B vaccine before heading to college, other state lawmakers want New Jersey to join an alliance of states that will aim to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement. and the MTV Beach House is returning to Loveladies on Long Beach Island. All that and more below.
Deer Running Across the Road Causes 4 Cars to Crash–A deer darting across the Garden State Park way in New Jersey this weekend set in motion a series of crashes that hospitalized five people. Philly.com
At last, NJ High School Honors Alum Who Advised Dr. King–As the valedictorian of Palmyra High School’s Class of 1949, Clarence B. Jones used his graduation speech, titled “A Better Tomorrow,” to address racial barriers and breaking them down. Philly.com
Bill Would Dedicate State Funds For NJ Anti-Smoking Programs–A measure awaiting final approval in the New Jersey Senate calls for dedicating one percent of the state's cigarette tax revenue to anti-smoking initiatives. Senator Brian Stack is the bill's primary sponsor. wbgo.org
Cape May Airport Receives $2.1M in Federal Grants–The Cape May County Airport was one of three South Jersey airports to receive part of $5 million in federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to spokesmen with the office of U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo. Shore News Today
Sorry, Sun Worshipers, Summer-Like Weather Still at Least a Week Away–Dan Skeldon says he can foretell of some legitimately warm weather in sight, albeit distant sight, as a surge of 80- and possibly even 90-degree heat looks to ride a summery wave into South Jersey next week. But the sun will be rather scarce the next three to four days. Press of Atlantic City
Here’s How to Hear the Whip-Poor-Will’s Song–Everybody has heard of a whip-poor-will, but how many people have actually heard or seen one? This is a forest bird, not one that comes to a bird feeder in a suburban yard. NJ.com
New Jersey Ruled Out of Compliance on Summer Flounder, Moratorium Possible–If New Jersey doesn’t bring its summer flounder limits in line with federal regulations, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said it may result in a moratorium on fluke fishing. Press of Atlantic City
June 10 is the ‘Longest Day’ in New Jersey for Cyclists–Have fun and stay fit! The Longest Day, a 200-mile, scenic bike ride through New Jersey kicks off June 10. New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio
Parakeet Killed, Family Displaced in Egg Harbor Township Fire–A parakeet was killed and a family likely temporarily displaced after a fire at an Egg Harbor Township home on Hartford Road, Scullville Fire Chief Steve Prisament said. Press of Atlantic City
Ocean City Bayfront Homeowners Soon to Get Permits to Dredge Private Slips–Ocean City homeowners will be able to use the city’s dredging program to deepen their private boat slips, but at their own cost and probably not until next year, city officials said Saturday. The program is the first of its kind in the state, they said at the town hall at the Tabernacle. Press of Atlantic City