Minority Officers
Joe Atmontavage reports on the lawsuit the Atlantic City Police union, PBA Local 24, filed to halt promotions of officers, which seems on the surface like an odd thing for a union to do, but the union is arguing the promotions would violate the Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act (aka the state takeover) and don’t follow the Civil Service Act (if I read that right).
In May, when eight Caucasian officers were promoted as captains and deputy chiefs, the union did not object to the process and wrote a letter affirming the “stance of the PBA is to remain neutral and not become involved in a matter which will ultimately pit member against member.”
This time around there are 14 minority officers up for promotions. Also, apart from Chief Henry White, there are no minority officers above the rank of lieutenant. One of the minority candidates (if I’m reading this right) filed a motion saying the union’s turnaround is discriminatory.
There’s a hearing today.
Dancer Lawsuit
Elsewhere in labor, a former dancer at Delilah’s Den is suing the gentlemen’s club saying it unfairly classifies its workers as independent contractors, rather than employees, meaning they work for less than minimum wage, among other outrages.
Sinatra v. Dino
Vincent Jackson at the Press of AC has a profile of Rich Helfant, the CEO of the Lucy the Elephant, who also has a Frank Sinatra room in his house. As a kid, Helfant preferred Dean Martin but then he saw Sinatra in concert and: mind blown.
I was more of a Bogart guy as a kid, but I came around on Dino and Sinatra after reading Jonathan Van Meter’s book on Skinny D’Amato and the 500 Club, The Last Good Time. I don’t really know where I’m going with this.
Anyway, here’s a video of Frank and Dino singing a Christmas song.
In other news, Bart Blatstein paid his taxes. For more feats of journalism…
N.J. mayors want higher taxes on marijuana. They are pushing a hard bargain.–New Jersey’s mayors want to have their say on any legalization of marijuana. They are an emerging constituency and the clout they wield may sway lawmakers when the final vote is taken in Trenton. www.nj.com
Ross School Choir entertains on the radio–MARGATE – Students of the William H. Ross Elementary School Choir paid a visit to the Lite Rock 96.9 studios Thursday, Dec. 13 to perform live on the Eddie Davis Show. www.downbeach.com
High School wrestling program under investigation by police–A South Jersey high school wrestling program is under investigation by the police, officials have revealed. www.nj.com
RAIN GARDENS IN NJ: SMALL PROJECTS HELP ALLEVIATE STORMWATER PROBLEMS–A community rain garden may seem like a minor contribution to the multibillion-dollar overhaul of New Jersey’s water infrastructure that experts say is needed, but it’s a start. www.njspotlight.com
150%–The holiday season is a time when people are supposed to be full of joy. But for individuals in recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs, “it can be a trying time,” said Indra Cidambi, M.D. of the Center for Network Therapy (CNT) in West Orange. There, readmission rates went from roughly 25 percent to more than 60 percent after Thanksgiving, suggesting a 150 percent spike. www.njspotlight.com