RUMP v TRUMP
A Philadelphia recycler says it bought two iconic “TRUMP” signs removed from the Taj Mahal in February for $250, and is suing for at least $100,000 after the seller claimed the sale was invalid. The recycling company is called Recycling of Urban Materials for Profit (or RUMP, as a surprisingly small number of outlets seem to have noticed). Read The Press of Atlantic City piece here.
Manco & Manco
Lynda Cohen at BreakingAC has the details on the sentencing (late on Friday) of the owners of Manco & Manco’s Pizza for tax evasion and making false statements to IRS agents (respectively. Charles Bangle, 57, of Somers Point, was sentenced to 15 months for evading taxes and failing to report more than a quarter-million dollars in taxable income. His wife and business partner, Mary Bangle, received three years’ probation. She admitted to lying to IRS agents and made false statements during the investigation.
Pinelands Pipeline
The controversy around the gas pipeline through the protected Pinelands of South Jersey has moved into a new phase, after the Pinelands Commission on Friday gave the green light to the project. Philly.com had a good look at the decision from Friday here, while NJSpotlight today takes a look at what is next for the pipeline – probably, a return to the appeals court.
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The rest of the headlines from the weekend and this morning include a proposal by Republican governor candidate Kim Guadagno to let New Jerseyans elect their attorney general, meanwhile, Phil Murphy (Democratic candidate) will be in Atlantic City this afternoon and Pleasantville this evening, plus the Jersey Shore Home Building Boom continues. All that and more below:
The List: Five Things to Listen for in the Governor’s Final Budget Address–Governor Chris Christie will present the final state budget of his two-term tenure tomorrow afternoon in a speech before a joint session of the Legislature in Trenton. While Christie and lawmakers have already been jockeying over the issue of school aid in advance of the budget address this year, there are also open questions about the impact that looming changes from a new administration in Washington, D.C., could have on the state’s finances. www.njspotlight.com
U.S. Immigration Crackdown Drives NJ’s Undocumented Deeper into Shadows–Immigrants and advocates concerned about the national crackdown on the undocumented may have a sympathetic ally in legislative Democrats, but it’s doubtful Gov. Chris Christie will support any of their suggestions for protecting those born abroad who consider New Jersey their home. Testifying to high levels of fear and anxiety among the state’s immigrant communities, a number of lawyers and advocates, as well as two undocumented young people, told an Assembly committee last Friday that the state and local governments should take steps to protect immigrants, or at least turn a blind eye to the recently launched federal crackdown on the undocumented. www.njspotlight.com
Atlantic City Mayor Walks Re-Election Tightrope–Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian must walk an almost impossible tightrope this year: submitting to deeply unpopular measures the state insists on to improve the city's finances, while answering to voters who are chafing under those same measures. NBC 10 Philadelphia
Adult Medical Center Opens in May in Pleasantville–Pleasantville residents who need medical attention after hours that doesn’t require a hospital will soon have a convenient place to visit. Press of Atlantic City
Jordan Road School daddy daughter dance–Click here to view this item from shorenewstoday.com. Shore News Today
Op-Ed: The Critical Need for New Jersey’s Water Supply Plan–With the beginning of the new calendar year, New Jersey has entered its third consecutive year of drought, with 14 counties remaining under an official drought-warning status. www.njspotlight.com
PUBLIC EYE: The need for less speed–Speed limits seem to be an issue here in New Jersey. Yes, we have a reputation for bad driving habits. And if you ask most people, they know exactly how many points a speeding ticket puts on your license (minimum of two). Press of Atlantic City