It’s A Small Town Thing
Local business person and all-around man about town Mike Einwechter has been charged by Ventnor police with stealing funds raised at a benefit concert he organized for the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The outrage on Facebook was deafening (and ongoing). Einwechter – who has a large social media presence – apologized there and said he was talking to a lawyer, before logging out of his account.
This is your daily reminder that South Jersey is a Small Town place. And that it’s always worth questioning nonprofit organizations. There are nonprofits running our hospitals and bidding for government contracts that receive much less scrutiny than some guy everyone in a small town has a story about.
Sunset at Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area, Woodbine – photo by Tim McGlynn. Find more of Tim’s work here and on Instagram (@timmcglynn)
CRDA Audit
Speaking of checking up on government agencies that work with nonprofits, the New Jersey State Auditor’s report on CRDA is due “very soon”. Read more here.
Like Two Sides Of A Coin
Today’s New Jersey Playbook opens with a comparison of NJ Democratic candidates in the North and Central parts of the state versus the South. The point made by Politico’s Matt Friedman is that state Sen. Jeff Van Drew – who wants to replace U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo next year – is “mild” on Trump, apparently critical of his constant Tweeting but not much more. Meanwhile, in the north, anger at Trump is fueling new candidates.
Also, you should read this Christian Hetrick piece for the Observer on Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian kicking the tires of a possible run to replace LoBiondo (along with some other potential Republican candidates).
Margategate Redux
You thought it was all over. The Army Corps has other ideas. They could be heading back to Margate this summer to devise a permanent solution to the pond/swamp/lake issue that marred this summer’s beach time for Margate residents and visitors. Read more via Amy Rosenberg for The Inquirer.
In the rest of the day’s news, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Monday on NJ’s challenge to the nation’s sports betting law, read about the Lakewood housing czar who makes $469,000 despite a conviction, and the Dougherty family (owners of the Knife & Fork, Dock’s etc) is buying the Linwood Country Club. All that and more below:
Casino PILOT Case Returns To Court Thursday–Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday in the ongoing legal fight over the constitutionality of the casino payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Supermoon Visible In South Jersey This Weekend–When the moon rises on Sunday evening, it will be the last supermoon of the year. It doesn't happen every month – the ones in May, September, and November are the most well-known. patch.com
North Wildwood Mayor On Lockout: ‘We Were Afraid The Lighthouse Would Be Looted’–North Wildwood officials, under fire for ending a longtime management agreement with the Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and locking the group out of the site, released documents Wednesday that they said would explain why they took that controversial step. “Ultimately, we were afraid the lighthouse would be looted,” Mayor Patrick Rosenello said after the documents were posted on the city website. www.philly.com
27 Decapitated Birds Found In Trash Bags In Shore Area Town–More than two dozen decapitated birds were found in a trash bags this week in Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J., according to police. www.philly.com
Camden Man Charged In Atlantic City Attack After Victim Dies Three Weeks Later–A Camden man already jailed on gun and drug offense has been charged with aggravated manslaughter after an Atlantic City man died three weeks after he was discovered with head injuries. Andrew McGarrigel, 53, was found injured in the area of North Virginia Avenue on Nov. 3. breakingac.com