Pinelands
A proposal before the New Jersey legislature could weaken conflict-of-interest laws would make it easier for Pinelands Commission members to vote on issues in which they have a direct and indirect financial interest, Joe Hernandez reports for Newsworks. There are currently two major gas pipeline proposals at different stages of play in the 1-million-acre Pinelands and numerous other development plans come before the commission. The proposal comes from two Cape May County Democrats. Critics says it “creates an ethics loophole big enough to drive a truck through,” Hernandez writes.
Fox, watching the sunrise in Brigantine, captured by Connie Pyatt. (Click through for more).
NJ Startups
In today’s reporting for the No Sh*t, Sherlock files, a (probably handsomely-paid) management consultant has concluded that New Jersey could get more bang for its tax-incentive bucks if it gave incentives to small startups rather than big companies such as JPMorgan Chase and Subaru (or, you know, casinos and their developers). Companies that are under 10 years old are the state’s net job creators, the report says (read more about it via NJSpotlight here). Those of you who want to read more on this topic should check out the state’s recent audit of select programs run by New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority, which is particularly down on some Camden deals. (Note from the editors: Route 40 is a startup and, though we know none of you need a reminder, life’s tough for small NJ businesses. You can read more about who we are and what we’re doing here. And you can consider becoming a supporting member here. Thank you to all of you who are already supporting us. Please feel free to pass along feedback or let us know if you’re interested in advertising.)
Oxycodone
Seventeen people including an Essex County doctor were arrested in an investigation into an Atlantic County drug ring, reports Lynda Cohen for BreakingAC. The scheme distributed tens of thousands of high-dose oxycodone pain pills in Atlantic County. And separate but related: Stephen Stirling at NJ Advance dug into the numbers and found that only about 50 percent of the demand for substance abuse treatment in the state is being met – read more on that here.
In the rest of the news from the last 24 hours, Ted Greenberg of NBC confirms the prescription drug probe in AC, Margate and Ventnor is linked to last month’s search at Dr James Kauffman’s home and office, brighten up your day by looking at these photos of Cape May Zoo’s two snow leopard cubs, Longport’s new library will open next Friday, water advocates worry not enough people care about New Jersey’s water system and it needs a major overhaul, there’s a plan to replace Obamacare at the state level if it is repealed nationally, work has begun on the outside of the Taj Mahal, and a Longport team won the Red Bull Surf and Rescue races for the second-straight year. All that and more below:
Somers Point Family Whose Dog was Mauled Have Their Day in Court–Ross and Lisa Karrer, the owners of Hemi, the teacup Yorkshire terrier mauled and killed just outside the couple’s kitchen door June 11 had their evening in Tuesday. Anita Puglise, the owner of the Akita that mauled Hemi and her attorney, Dean Marcolongo of Millville worked with Somers Point Prosecutor, Christopher Lipari to come up with a plan that would be amenable to the Karrer’s in return for the charge against Puglise of owning a vicious dog be dropped after a series of stipulations are met. Shore News Today
A Detective Bargained for Better Officer Pay. He Says Years of Retaliation Followed.–Detective Jason Sheets of the Atlantic County Sheriff's Department is suing the county and department, alleging mistreatment that impact his employment there. NJ.com
NJ Investigators Release Findings On Ventnor Police Involved Shooting–Last October, a Ventnor man was shot and killed by police during a domestic violence call, and authorities say this it was a justified use of force. philadelphia.cbslocal.com
Bond for $18 million Would Fix Bridges, Demolish Former Everlon Building–An $18-million bond ordinance was discussed by Cape May County freeholders July 11 for four general areas. The largest amount, $9.5 million, is allocated for improvements to buildings and demolition. Cape May County Herald
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Warns of Phony IRS Phone Scam–Atlantic County officials have released a warning to residents about a phone scammer posing to be with the IRS. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office released a statement after receiving reports that residents were getting calls from an unknown party claiming to be with the IRS and calling in regards to pending litigation. www.snjtoday.com
Prescription Drug Cost Probe in Three Shore Towns Tied To Search at Doctor’s Office–Last month’s search at the medical office of a doctor and husband of a slain New Jersey radio host is connected to a much wider probe into possible medical insurance fraud and kickbacks in the greater Atlantic City area, according to a high level law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. On June 13, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office investigators along with FBI agents and Egg Harbor Township Police converged on the Egg Harbor Township office of Dr. James Kauffman, the physician husband of slain New Jersey radio host April Kauffman. www.nbcphiladelphia.com