A Wawa Opens In A Florida Town, People Get Excited
It’s not exactly news from South Jersey, but it is news about about one of our area’s institutions: Wawa. The chain of goose has opened its first store in Winter Garden, Florida (just outside Orlando) and locals – well, really they’re South Jersey transplants – got a little over excited, according to the West Orange Times & Observer. “It was like tailgating at a Philadelphia Eagles game,” said a guy named Andrew Murray, who attended the opening four years ago of the first Wawa ever in Florida. “It was a really big deal,” Murray said. You can take the guy out of South Jersey, apparently, but you can’t take him out of a Wawa. The convenience store company now has over 630 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.
Mortgage Relief for Displaced Homeowners
In more serious news, NJ Spotlight says lawmakers have sent Gov. Christie a bill that would provide mortgage forbearance for homeowners who have been paying both rent and a mortgage since Superstorm Sandy damaged their homes. It seems like the bill would only apply to those whose homes are still under repair.
President Elect Picks Icahn, Conway
President-Elect Trump made two appointments yesterday with connections to South Jersey. Trump chose Carl Icahn – owner of the shuttered Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza casinos plus the Tropicana – as his special advisor on overhauling federal regulations, while Hammonton’s Kellyanne Conway was named counselor to the president.
The rest of the day’s headlines include news on Gov. Christie’s plans to tackle addiction, a bid to lure new airlines to the Atlantic City airport, an Atlantic County vs City battle over taxes, a Somers Point Sandy fraud case and a successful Trump Marina discrimination suit.
Christie Calls For Action On Addiction Recovery At Candlelight Vigil–Gov. Chris Christie closed out the year with a candlelight vigil to support the addiction recovery community, a cause that has become a particular focus of his policy agenda — and one that continues to bring him praise, even as public opinion of his performance in general has soured. Christie joined former Gov. Jim McGreevey, Pastor Joe Carter of the New Hope Baptist Church, the church’s choir, state officials, and others on the steps of the State House at dusk on Wednesday, the shortest day of the year, to honor addiction survivors and those who work with recovering drug users. www.njspotlight.com
County Exec & Atlantic City Councilman Talk PILOT, Borgata, Mayor–It started out as your typical radio interview about Atlantic County finances and how much Atlantic City would be responsible for - yawn. But then the Harry Hurley Radio show added spice to an otherwise average politician interview, with Hurley stoking an EPIC discussion with Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson by taking a call from Atlantic City Councilman George Tibbitt. ACprimetime
Former Somers Point Councilman Charged In Sandy Fraud Case–A Somers Point contractor and former councilman is accused of ripping off two homeowners of nearly $195,000 in repairs due to Hurricane Sandy damage. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City International Tries Again To Lure Airlines With Subsidies–Airport officials said they want more South Jersey residents to fly out of the facility and on Wednesday increased subsidies to try to lure an airline that could offer more destinations. Previous airlines lured to ACY by subsidies have stayed just as long as they were contracted to or, in the case of United Airlines, pulled out early.u. Press of Atlantic City
Former Trump Marina Employee Wins $340,000 In Discrimination Case–All Trump Marina Hotel Casino employees lost their jobs when the property was sold and turned into Golden Nugget. But Mike Jackson alleged he wasn’t rehired because of his disability. Press of Atlantic City