South Jersey Industries
The parent company of South Jersey Gas is in talks to combine with another New Jersey energy company, according to the Wall Street Journal (read a version of the story here). There has been no official comment by SJI. The company is involved with two major projects in the area, including transferring its headquarters from one side of Atlantic County to another as part of the Atlantic City Gateway development and the controversial Pinelands pipeline. It is not clear how any merger talks might affect those plans. The company’s share price rose on the news.
@wildman_bill
A long beaver dam on the Bass River, along the Batona trail. Photo via @wildman_bill on Instagram.
Gardner’s Basin
The crafter village at Gardner’s Basin will not open this year, because it is not in compliance with Green Acres rules that helped fund the development of the Atlantic City park. ACPrimetime reports that some of the stores had been there for 10 years.
Drone Traffic Control
The director of the FAA Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township faced questioning yesterday from a U.S. House of Representatives aviation subcommittee as part of a panel on enabling aerospace innovation. Most of the questions were about drones and regulation of unmanned aircraft, Amy Rosenberg reported for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Rep. LoBiondo, who chairs the subcommittee, called the Tech Center “a national asset and a jewel in our aviation industry,” and urged his colleagues to visit.
A Pine Barrens Documentary Nears the Finish Line
When is a Piney a Piney? Bill went to watch David Scott Kessler’s film about the Pine Barrens at the weekend and wrote about it – and the Piney identity – here.
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In the rest of today’s headlines, read Kevin Riordan on more depressing demolition of historic South Jersey buildings, NJPen on how Haddon Heights is revising a local law after a free-speech flare up over yard signs, this piece on the District 2 NJ State Senate race which refers to the “formidable” Chris Brown, and a South Jersey guy has a viral video with a lot of NSFW swear words in which he tries to sell you his dead parents’ house in Mays Landing.
In case you missed it…Route 40’s co-editors, Bill Sprouse and Elinor Comlay, make their living by freelancing for other publications. Here’s a piece that Bill wrote for CityLab that looks at CRDA’s master plan proposal and how Atlantic City residents may have little say in their own city’s development.
Ex-Governors Urge N.J. Representatives to Oppose Trump’s EPA Cuts–As former New Jersey governors called on the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday to defend the environment, one South Jersey Republican spoke out against President Trump's move to slash federal funding for environmental protection. "These drastic cuts proposed to the EPA will not fly in Congress, and are a nonstarter with me," U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo said in a statement, describing "bipartisan opposition to hamstring environmental protection efforts." Philly.com
Surfside Casual expanding to former Bassett furniture in Egg Harbor Township–EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Surfside Casual Furniture has purchased the space last occupied by Bassett Furniture at 6125 Black Horse Pike here. Shore News Today
Jersey Shore bridge closed indefinitely–The small bridge that connects the Jersey Shore towns of Sea Isle City and Avalon has been shut down indefinitely. Philly.com
Don’t jail defendants without disclosing evidence, N.J. senator says–New Jersey's Supreme Court could soon rule in a fight over discovery under New Jersey's new bail system. NJ.com
What can the country learn from NJ Planned Parenthood cuts?–SHREWSBURY - Katie Stephens moved quickly about the Planned Parenthood office like a hummingbird. In one moment, she was answering phones, then darted in back to check on an exam room and the nurse practitioner. Asbury Park Press
A.C. Democrats back Gilliam for mayor–ATLANTIC CITY — Local Democrats on Monday overwhelmingly endorsed Councilman Frank Gilliam for mayor and his slate of City Council running mates. Press of Atlantic City
Three-event weekend offers hint on Atlantic City’s future–ATLANTIC CITY — If a struggling gambling town was looking for a road map on how to turn its luck around, this past weekend might offer a few hints. Press of Atlantic City