Voting Block Bungalow Park
“Fix the bulkhead on your way out!” Bungalow Park residents didn’t hold back when it came to discussing what their community wants from the next New Jersey governor: End the Atlantic City takeover (just fix the bulkhead before you go). The gathering, hosted at Atlantic City’s Back Bay Ale House as part of the collaborative reporting project Voting Block, also had some policy ideas for the next governor that ranged from addressing the property tax burden to fixing school funding and local economic redevelopment. Read the rundown here or listen to the longer discussion via our podcast here (and on podcast platforms).
Tax Assessments
Atlantic County mayors are creeping closer to figuring out how to establish a county-wide tax assessment system that they believe could cut down on tax appeals. A bipartisan committee of mayors has been looking at how other tax assessment systems work elsewhere (as far afield as Florida and Arizona) and how the county’s patchwork of municipalities could be brought under one property tax regime. Read more via The Press of Atlantic City’s John DeRosier.
In the rest of the South Jersey news from the weekend and this morning, more high winds are expected today even as the rain should be ending, Sea Isle City fishermen caught a rare blue lobster, Barbara Gaba was inaugurated Friday as the ninth president of Atlantic Cape Community College and its first woman and african american in that job, new twists in a Burlington Co. murder case, fitness club chains are expanding in South(west) Jersey, Atlantic City is replacing thousands of street lights, a $9.2 million “food specialization center” is coming to Bridgeton, and this piece on the Manasquan High School surf team’s recent (and somewhat controversial) state championship win over Ocean City also has a rundown on the history of high-school surfing in New Jersey. All that and more below:
County Party Fundraising at Highest Level Since 2009–Democratic and Republican county committees in New Jersey have amassed $6.7 million in funds this year, the highest total since the 2009 gubernatorial race, according to a report from the state Election Law Enforcement Commission released Friday. observer.com
Stockton, S.J. Gas Share Urban Investment Award for AC Gateway Project–Stockton University and South Jersey Gas were honored with the Urban Investment Award at the Southern New Jersey Development Council’s Annual Awards Reception held in Haddonfield. The award was presented for their collaborative effort in developing the Atlantic City Gateway Project, which includes a new residential campus in Atlantic City and a new headquarters for South Jersey Gas. www.snjtoday.com
Officials Celebrate Food Processing Center Coming To Bridgeton–The Cumberland County Improvement Authority has officially announced the $9.2 million initiative to bring a food specialization center to Bridgeton. The U.S. Economic Development Administration earlier this month awarded a $2.5 million grant for the Cumberland County Improvement Authority to build the 31,000-square-foot center, according to a press release from the authority. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
New Homes Coming To Egg Harbor City–A development of new homes that came to a stop with the death of the initial builder in 2014 has been revived. What was once known as the Neighborhoods of Cedar Creek that was connected to Brad Haber, who died in 2014, will be further developed under the new name, Cedar Creek Estates, with a new builder, Jim Cox, owner of JC Custom Homes LLC of Galloway Township. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Murphy, Guadagno Short On Specifics For Higher Ed–While not a principal focus, New Jersey’s high-cost public colleges — the fourth most expensive in the nation — and higher than average loan burden on students have been on the radar of both major party gubernatorial candidates. Republican Kim Guadagno, the current lieutenant governor, and Democrat Phil Murphy, a former Wall Street executive and ambassador to Germany, agree on such issues as the importance of emphasizing STEM education and vocational training. www.njspotlight.com
Controversial Noose Photo At South Jersey Halloween Party Leads To An Agreement–A controversial costume at a Halloween party Wednesday night at a popular South Jersey restaurant – an outfit that included a noose that wound up in a photograph that went viral on social media – led to a meeting and resolution Saturday between officials of the Gloucester County NAACP and Adelphia Restaurant & Nightclub in Deptford. “After a full and fair exchange of positions and concerns, Adelphia has agreed to maintain strict vigilance of its online postings to avoid such issues in the future,” said the statement, signed by Loretta Winters, president of the local NAACP chapter and Bill Balis, president of Adelphia. www.philly.com
Middle Township Man Charged In Cape Overdose Death–A Middle Township man is charged in the overdose death of another Cape May County man this week. Sonny Sinnerard, 23, was found dead at a home in the township’s Burleigh section Wednesday, after police responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive male. breakingac.com
Bridgeton Man Arrested In Two Bank Robberies–A Bridgeton man has been charged in two bank robberies more than three months apart. The OceanFirst Bank on Harding Highway in Hamilton Township was robbed Tuesday morning. breakingac.com
Good Samaritan Struck And Killed In Galloway–A Pomona man who stopped to help a disabled vehicle was struck and killed early Friday morning. Kenn Chivalette, 52, had stopped to help Brandon Pilecki get the vehicle off of Pomona Road near Vera King Ferris Drive at about 4:30 am, when they were struck by a Honda Civic, Galloway Township police said. breakingac.com
Pleasantville Father Who Saved Young Son Recovering From Fire That Destroyed Home–A Pleasantville family who lost their home to a fire is glad at least that everyone is safe. “We’re holding up,” said Amanda Naylor in a phone call from Temple University Hospital, where her husband is still recovering from smoke inhalation and eye damage. breakingac.com
Man Fatally Shot In Absecon–A man was found fatally shot in a car outside Oyster Bay in Absecon on Friday night. Lamar Gresham, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene. breakingac.com
Atlantic City Man Arrested On First-Degree Drug Charges–An Atlantic City man was arrested on first-degree drug charges after he allegedly sold more than 5 ounces of cocaine during a three-month investigation, police said. Knocumus Dixon, 27, also had nearly an ounce of cocaine in his residence along with packaging materials at the time of his arrest in the first block of North Pennsylvania Avenue, Sgt Kevin Fair said. breakingac.com