The Business of Drugs
There was a major drugs bust rounding up heroin and cocaine suppliers who operated throughout the area yesterday. Police and other law enforcement officials made 15 arrests in Camden and Philadelphia – the culmination of seven months of investigations by agencies that ranged from the New York City Police Department and New Jersey State Police to the U.S. Postal Service. Yes. If you ever needed proof that the illicit drugs trade is in fact a highly-organized logistics business, you should read a bit about what this group – allegedly with ties to Mexican cartels – were up to. Their business involved mailing, shipping and trucking drugs from Chicago to here. Our colleague in the NJ News Commons network, Matt Skoufalos of NJPen, has the details here.
Unelected School Boards
Linwood – how to put it? – is the suburb around Atlantic City with the most carefully constructed reputation for its school district (among other things). People talk a lot about the schools there and in a positive kind of way (there’s a PR lesson here for a lot of us, probably). But did you know it is one of just 17 school districts in the state to have an appointed, rather than an elected, school board? Linwoodians will get to vote Tuesday on whether to switch to an elected board from the current system in which the Mayor just picks the board. The Press of Atlantic City has an interesting op-ed on the vote – you can read it here.
Here’s the rest of what we’re reading today:
Atlantic Cape Hosting Forums with Finalists for College President–The three finalists for president of Atlantic Cape Community College will participate in public forums at the college’s three locations next week. These forums are open to students, faculty, staff and the general public. Press of Atlantic City
Two Familiar Candidates Vie For Freeholder At-Large Seat–The race for the at-large seat on the Atlantic County freeholder board has come down to two familiar names. The candidates are Republican Amy Gatto and Democrat Brenda Brathwaite, both lifelong county residents. Press of Atlantic City
AC Officials Ready to Fight for Recovery Plan Approval–Atlantic City’s elected leaders say the state Department of Community Affairs got it all wrong in rejecting the city’s five-year recovery plan. They say they're willing to to go to court over the issue. NJTV News
In A.C., Hot Takes On State Takeover: Thumbs Down. And Up. And ‘Huh?’–The state made its latest move in its long-running battle with the city this week when Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Charles Richman rejected the city’s proposed recovery plan, calling it “not likely to achieve financial stability for Atlantic City.” Residents’ reaction to the state’s rejection ranged from opposition to support to confusion — to a combination of all three. Press of Atlantic City
Thanks for reading the Route 40 Roundup. If you’d like to receive this in your inbox each day, together with some great local images and featured events, click here.