Author: ECCYC

There are still many more questions than answers about a possible cancer cluster linked to Colonia High School in Woodbridge.

It is hoped at least some preliminary answers will be gleaned from air, ground and water samples taken from around the school in a couple weeks. Results from the analysis of those samples is due by the end of April.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are leading the investigation into the high instances of cancer among Colonia High School students and staff.

The investigation was started by Colonia High School graduate Al Lupiano, whose wife and late sister both developed brain tumors after attending classes at the school.

Since he first made the connection, officials have identified 105 people who have contracted brain tumors — about half of them cancerous.

Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society, says brain tumors are relatively rare.

“If I were a parent or a community member, I would want to know a little more about what’s happening,” he told ABC News.

Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac is among those concerned. He told New Jersey 101.5, “Al (Lupiano) has presented enough evidence that warrants further attention, but we have to rely on the experts to draw their conclusions.” McCormac, though, is not yet convinced the high school is an actual cancer cluster.

That’s not a term Kamal used, either, but admitted the number of tumors was concerning.

“It is way more than we would expect over that period of time, and certainly from a town or a high school of that size,” Kamal told ABC News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this report should have been clear that the American Cancer Society does not investigate cancer clusters. The investigation is being handled by state and federal environmental health authorities. 

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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Even as the number of new reported COVID cases rise in New Jersey, the CDC Data tracker still lists community transmission rates as “low” for all but one county.  Bergen County has been moved to the “medium” level.

State health officials reported another 1,508 COVID cases on Sunday and logged another 2 deaths blamed on the coronavirus.

Those figures represent a more than 20% increase in a week and a 170% increase in the last 30 days. However, there has yet to be a corresponding spike in either hospitalizations or reports of severe illness.

369 patients are hospitalized with, or for, COVID infections statewide. That is a mere fraction of the more than 6,000 who were hospitalized in January when the omicron wave was at its peak.

The current rate of transmission is at 1.28, which indicates an active spread of the virus. For every 100 infected people, they will infect 128 additional individuals.

This increase is being driven by the BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron strain. It is more transmissible, but does not cause more severe illness. Current vaccines have also proven effective at preventing serious illness and death.

New Jersey now has 7.77 million people who live, work or study here with at least one dose of vaccine out of 8.46 million who are eligible for the shots. The number of people who have received a booster dose is much smaller.

National and regional trends are similar to what we are seeing in the Garden State, prompting some new restrictions.

Philadelphia begins enforcing it’s renewed indoor mask mandate as of today.

The Biden administration has also extended the mask mandate on mass transit and air travel until May 3.

White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said on ABC’s ‘This Week’ only time will tell if that mandate will be extended.

“This is a CDC call,” Jha said, “CDC scientists made it very clear that they needed 15 days to asses the impact of BA.2 on hospitalizations and deaths to see if there’s a substantial increase in severe disease.”

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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TRENTON – Noting the learning losses and mental health setbacks endured by students in the two-plus years of the pandemic, some legislators say they’re concerned New Jersey schools aren’t spending their federal recovery funds fast enough.

Public schools have spent around $550 million out of their $3.9 billion – though have until September 2024 and have approved plans for at least the first two batches of money out of three. On top of that, the state still has $349 million of its $403 million for K-12 education programs available.

Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan told the Assembly Budget Committee that 85% of the first and smallest tranche of funds has been spent. The funding allotments to New Jersey through ESSER, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, have included $310 million expiring this Sept. 30, $1.23 billion expiring in 2023 and $2.77 billion that runs out in 2024.

“We believe that between now and September of 2022, the remaining 15% will be expended and we will not return any of the funding,” Allen-McMillan said.

Districts have spent 29% of their second batch of funds and 1% of their third, as of last month. Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, D-Essex, who chairs the budget committee, said lawmakers are “a little bit taken aback” by the pace.

“Specifically for my district, I’m going to be quite honest with you, my kids can’t keep waiting because my gap already existed here previously to COVID,” Pintor Marin said. “So, how much longer are my kids going to keep waiting?”

Pintor Marin said there seems to be a miscommunication about spending the funds and that maybe the state needs to push districts to draw down the money faster by saying: “Hey everyone, our kids are already behind in math, right, for whatever it is, half a year or whatever. At what point do we keep waiting so that that gap is larger and longer?”

Department of Education officials said the system for approving spending is the same as for all federal grants and that any apparent delay is just a reflection of how the accounting process works.

Assistant Commissioner Kevin Dehmer, the NJDOE’s chief financial officer, said districts have approved plans for how they will use at least their first two batches of funds and in some places all three.

“They don’t get all of the money at once. They get it as they spend it,” Dehmer said. “So, every month we’re drawing down on those because they’re spending money executing those plans.”

“Also, when they submit for reimbursement, we don’t just cut the check,” Allen-McMillan said. “We look at the program because they have to submit evidence. It’s not just: Oh, here, I hired a consultant. Well, did it accomplish what you stated you were going to accomplish?”

Despite the responses, Pintor Marin said students have immediate needs that require a more urgent response.

“I don’t know at this point who to criticize – is it the districts, is it the department, who it is?” she said. “But I don’t know how long it’s going to take for all of this to be submitted, to be drawn down, all of that. I understand. But the problem is our kids can’t keep waiting.”

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Gas prices have now fallen to their lowest level in a month, averaging just over $4 per gallon for regular in New Jersey.

Prices continue to drop about a penny a gallon each day. The statewide average is $4.04, but many counties are reporting an average at or below the $4 mark.

The cheapest gas in the state continues to be in Burlington County, where the average is $3.95.

Mercer, Somerset, Hudson and Essex Counties are all averaging near or above $4.10 per gallon.

Overall, prices are down statewide about 25-cents per gallon since last month, when prices were still moving higher.

Analysts say the release of historic amounts of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve continue to put downward pressure on the gasoline market.

Will NJ see more relief?

There continues to be debate about whether New Jersey will take specific action to bring drivers more relief.

Gov. Phil Murphy has said is committed to doing “something,” but has yet to commit to any specific plan. He has signaled some support for State Sen. Ed Durr’s (R-Gloucester) measure to offer a one-time $500 tax credit or rebate to drivers to offset high gas prices.

While Murphy has called for a “federal tax holiday,” he does not support temporarily cutting or suspending New Jersey’s gas tax. That may actually be good news for drivers.

Any savings from gas tax holidays in other states are expected to be short lived. In Maryland, for example, their gas tax holiday is expiring and prices are expected to jump as much as 40-cents in a day.

Also off the table in New Jersey is allowing you to pump your own gas. Both Murphy and Senate President Nick Scutari have said they don’t support it because they are unconvinced it would save any money.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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Harold Robert Teltser passed away peacefully from a short illness on April 18, 2022. He was 95. Harold was born in Orange, New Jersey on August 2, 1926, the third of four boys. His parents were Joseph and Regina (nee Chuka) Teltser, who both immigrated from Szatmar, Hungary (now Satu Mare, Romania). Harold attended Orange High School and played sports at the Orange YMCA, where he excelled at swimming and table tennis. After high school, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army during the final year of WWII. Serving with the 700th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company, 45th Infantry Division, he was stationed at the U.S. Army base in the Dachau concentration camp after its liberation. After his honorable discharge from the army, Harold attended George Washington University in Washington, DC and later graduated from the GWU law school. Second in his law school class, Harold was awarded membership to the Order of the Coif. After graduation, he returned to New Jersey to clerk for Joseph Weintraub, future Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Harold went on to work for the New Jersey Attorney General and then became an assistant prosecutor for Essex County, New Jersey in 1959. In 1961, Harold left the prosecutor’s office to join a private law practice that would become the law firm of Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg of East Orange, New Jersey, with future New Jersey Governor, Brendan Byrne, and future New Jersey State Senator Martin Greenberg. Harold later left the firm after Brendan Byrne was elected governor but continued the private practice of law until after the year 2000. Harold was involved in a number of business ventures in addition to the practice of law. In 1965, Harold, Brendan Byrne and Martin Greenberg co-founded the insurance company, Intercontinental Life Insurance Company. During his career, Harold also became part owner of a regional airline, an oil and gas exploration company, and several racehorses. He sat on the boards of directors of four public companies (including Intercontinental Life). In addition, Harold was a real estate developer, involved in the development and construction of a number of commercial and residential building projects throughout northern New Jersey. Later in life, Harold became an active investor in public securities and was featured on the cover of the Spring 2010 issue of the Charles Schwab magazine, On Investing. In 1956, Harold married Patricia Charash and had three children with her: Robert C. Teltser, Jill D. Teltser, and Thomas B. Teltser. Harold also became stepfather to Pat’s son from a prior marriage, Arthur Levine. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1972, Harold married Miriam Fagelson and began splitting his time between New Jersey and Florida. They moved in 1973 to Atlantis, Florida, where Harold would spend the rest of his life. They had a child, Joseph M. Teltser, in 1974. In Florida, Harold became an avid tennis player, a regular at the tennis club (and well sought-after doubles partner) well into his 70s. In his 80s, Harold frequently attended meetings of the Civil War Roundtable of Palm Beach County, where he would look forward to engaging friends in debates and discussions. With his outgoing personality and large sense of humor, Harold made many close friends throughout his life. His friends and family enjoyed the engaging conversations and thoughtful discussions that would invariably be had with him. Intelligent and witty, Harold could speak knowledgeably about a wide variety of subjects and be quick with a joke. And Harold took great pleasure in having those conversations and discussions with his friends. Harold was also thoughtful and generous with his friends and family, whom he loved deeply and who love him deeply. We will miss his love, his friendship, his comradery, his good counsel, his kisses and hugs, his company, his jokes, his insights, and the tremendous warmth and delight he could bring us. Harold was predeceased by his beloved brothers, Burton, Edward, and Richard. Harold is survived by his wife, Miriam Teltser, his son, Dr. Robert (Martel) Teltser, his daughter Jill Teltser-Kimelman (Boaz Kimelman), his son, Thomas Teltser, his son, Joseph (Maggie) Teltser, his stepson, Dr. Arthur Levine (Dr. Janet Schwartz), and his grandchildren, Jory Teltser, Remy Teltser, Atid Kimelman, Joshua Kimelman, Henry Teltser, and Hugo Teltser. He is also survived by a number of close friends, whom he held and loved as close family. Funeral services will be held at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, New Jersey, April 21, 2022, 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hadassah.

Published by The Star-Ledger from Apr. 19 to Apr. 20, 2022.

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We count on our police officers and troopers to be clear-thinking, engaged, and responsible. Marijuana use does not promote any of those things.” – GOP Assemblywoman Sawyer questioning the Acting AG’s memo allowing law enforcement to use marijuana off-duty

TOP STORY: Norcross Grim at the Front of the Room in Camden

AROUND THE WEB:

NJ finds the most expensive way to fight climate change | Moran 

Tom Moran, Star-Ledger

• If you take a calm and objective look at the climate crisis, it seems reasonable to scream in despair, stockpile rice and beans for your children, and buy a hilltop plot of land with a solar generator to survive the coming apocalypse.

Congressional candidate Ian Smith’s DUIs shows he wants to make laws, not follow them 

Phil Gianficaro, Burlington County Times

• The law, it has become abundantly clear, does not apply to Ian Smith, Delanco Township resident and Republican candidate for US Congress, who is in the news on charges of drunk driving. Again.

Affordable Housing is the Foundation of Opportunity in New Jersey 

Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03)

• After a grueling two years, New Jerseyans are turning the corner on COVID, small businesses are getting back on their feet, people are getting back to work, and we’re finally enjoying precious time spent with loved ones and friends. For far too many New Jersey families, however, that time is filled with daunting insecurity because they do not have a safe, sustainable, and affordable roof over their heads.

New Jersey’s property tax crisis 

Jack Ciattarelli

• There are two crises that are crippling New Jersey’s fiscal and economic well-being. Two crises that impact every person and business. Two crises that place us dead last in the country in these categories. Two crises that, if solved, would brighten our future dramatically.

Disney and the Democrats get a wake-up call | Mulshine 

Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger

• It is a historical fact of note that Orange County, Calif., was once a hotbed of conservative politics. It was noted for having 38 chapters of the John Birch Society. It launched the political career of Ronald Reagan and was the birthplace of Richard Nixon.

Poll shows Jersey drivers are pumped up over self-service gas | Mulshine 

Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger

• Looking for an object lesson in why politicians should not govern by polls? Look no further than the two polls released recently on self-service gas in New Jersey.

One of N.J.’s oldest political traditions was canceled again this year. Will the ‘Chamber Train’ come back? 

Susan K. Livio and Kelly Heyboer, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

• For more than 80 years, New Jersey lawmakers, business leaders and lobbyists squeezed into a row of Amtrak train cars to drink, talk and schmooze in one of the state’s quirkiest political traditions.

For Ciattarelli, business summit is another stop on a campaign that has never stopped 

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

• It’s nice to be the candidate – a role Jack Ciattarelli has been playing for nearly two years now – as you always get to offer the contrarian view. After a much-closer-than-expected Gubernatorial race last November, Ciattarelli – already an announced Republican candidate for governor in 2025 – remains an active participant on the networking scene.

Paterson mayor Sayegh gives shout-outs to man accused of sexual harassment by multiple women 

Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times

• Mayor Andre Sayegh has been repeatedly giving shout-outs to a man multiple women have accused of sexual harassment. Sayegh gave a shout-out to school board member Manny Martinez during his State of the City address on March 2.

These Middlesex County mayors have 2022 primary challengers 

Susan Loyer, MyCentralJersey.com

• The mayors of South Amboy and South Brunswick will face challengers in June’s Democratic primary. South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry, who has served since 2011, will oppose Brian H. McLaughlin, a 1st Ward councilman since 2017, who is running under the “People Before Politics” designation.

Totowa, Passaic only two Passaic County school districts with spring elections 

Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com

• In Passaic County, just two school districts still hold board of education elections in the spring — the city of Passaic and Totowa. In Passaic, voters will be asked to approve a tax levy of $16.8 million for the 2022-23 school year.

Warren County’s lost township: Pahaquarry fell off the map 25 years ago, swallowed by parklands 

Steve Novak, For lehighvalleylive.com

• Pahaquarry Township didn’t disappear. It was eaten. Twice. First, the far-northern Warren County municipality’s land was purchased by the federal government for the controversial Tocks Island Dam, which would have spanned the Delaware River with one end on Pahaquarry’s banks.

Newark Youth Determined to Shape Future of City With Their Ballot at ‘Rock the Vote’ Event 

Tom Wiedmann, TAPinto Newark

• When it comes to envisioning a Newark that better serves its residents through policy and action, young people in the city want their ideas to be brought to the table. For many Newark youth, one way to make their ideas heard means filling out a voter registration form.

New COVID-19 subvariant picking up steam, but could struggle spreading in warmer months 

Ahmad Austin Jr., Burlington County Times

• If reports from other places in the world are a hint of what’s to come in the U.S., a new wave of COVID-19 cases could begin in the near future. Thankfully, the timing of the wave should limit its severity. The last wave of the coronavirus was caused by its Omicron variant, a much more transmissible version but also less deadly.

Paterson employees getting extra $2 million in COVID ‘premium pay’ 

Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press

• City officials have doubled to $4 million the amount of money that Paterson is using for “premium pay” stipends for about 1,300 municipal employees who continued working in-person at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At 88, New Jersey’s own Frankie Valli is still singing the hits 

Big Joe Henry, NJ1015

• Frankie Valli had a pretty serious health scare back in October and November of 2021. He suffered pneumonia and was forced to cancel most of his tour and there was some concern that Frankie would never tour again. Let’s face it; a man in his late 80s has a tougher chance of beating a health issue like that, unless of course you’re Jersey tough Frankie Valli.

Paterson votes to create ‘Palestine Way,’ caller harasses salon 

Erin Vogt, NJ1015

• After a recent vote to rename several blocks of the city’s Main Street “Palestine Way,” recognizing the deep-rooted Palestinian community there, at least one business has reported receiving harassing phone calls. Dozens of local residents were excitedly in attendance as the effort was supported unanimously by the City Council at its March 29 meeting. On Friday, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a video of what appears to be portions of two racist, anonymous calls, harassing a Palestinian-owned small business in Paterson.

Former Jersey City BOE President Ali receives prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros fellowship 

John Heinis, Hudson County View

• Former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali was one of 30 recipients of the prestigious Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.

Committee recommends permanent ban for ex-North Bergen judge accused of groping woman 

John Heinis, Hudson County View

• The Supreme Court of New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct has recommended a censure and permanent ban for a former North Bergen Municipal Court Judge accused of groping a woman inside his law office.

Woodbridge library wrecked by Ida should reopen this year, mayor says 

Suzanne Russell, MyCentralJersey.com

• Work will begin soon to replace the roof at the Henry Inman Branch library in the Colonia section, the first step toward reopening the facility following major flood damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida last year.

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ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced on Thursday, April 7, that Essex County is participating in 10 partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Arc of Essex County, New Jersey Children’s Alliance, Stop for Nikhil, The Valerie Fund, Arthritis Foundation, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Each of these well-respected organizations does a great deal to make a positive difference in and improve the quality of life for our residents. I invite the public to run, walk or donate to help out these really great causes,” DiVincenzo said. “To say thank you to these organizations and the thousands of people who support them, we are offering reduced admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari for the people who participate in these events.”

The organizations and their events are as follows:

• Arc of Essex County’s annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk, which was held April 9 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, raised funds to help the Arc continue to provide supportive services for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. For information, visit www.arcessex.org. 
• Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event and will be held in person on Saturday, May 14, at Verona Park with registration at 10 a.m. and a 3-mile walk at 11 a.m. The mission of the foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness about this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds. For more information, visit www.fightcf.cff.org.
• The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis will be an in-person event on Sunday, June 5, at the South Mountain Recreation Complex with registration at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org.  
• The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physical Therapy Walk and 5K Run will be an in-person event on Saturday, Sept. 17, in Verona Park with registration at 7 a.m., the 5K race at 8:30 a.m. and a walk at 10 a.m. Proceeds will be used to support the comprehensive care of children with cancer and blood disorders. For more information, visit TheValerieFund.org/Walk2022/.  
• The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present the Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/3K Walk/5K Bike Ride as an in-person and virtual event on Sunday, Sept. 18, at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Ave., with registration at 7:30 a.m., the bike ride at 8:15 a.m., the 5K run at 9:30 a.m. and the 3K walk at 9:45 a.m. The foundation is named for 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani, who was killed in a car accident in 2011 when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. Its mission is to enhance the lives of children through music lessons, scholarships for graduating high school seniors, and traffic safety awareness and education. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org.
• The 22nd annual Miracle Walk to benefit Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be an in-person event on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. in Verona Park. Miracle Walk funds have supported the purchase of advanced medical technology for the NICU. The walk also supports the Cooperman Barnabas staff, which treats 1,100 infants in the NICU annually. For more information, visit rwjbh.donordrive.com.
• The American Cancer Society will present Making Strides Against Breast Cancer as an in-person event on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark. For information, contact liz.rodoussakis@cancer.org. 
• The annual Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk is scheduled for the Sunday, Oct. 16, at the South Mountain Recreation Complex. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. 
• The New Jersey Children’s Alliance will present the Heroes for Children 5K Run, Walk or Ride as an in-person event on Saturday, Oct. 22, at South Mountain Recreation Complex with registration at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m.; a virtual event will be held Oct. 15 to 22. The 5K run is a USATF-certified run. The event will promote public awareness about child abuse issues and increase knowledge about the services of local children’s advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams and the difference these services make in a child’s life. For more information, visit www.njcainc.org. 
• RWJBarnabas Health’s Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk will take place on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 30, at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, with options to join the 5K run around the reservoir, spend the day strolling around Turtle Back Zoo or running virtually from Oct. 1 to 30. All proceeds from the event will be used to support health care heroes in their efforts to protect and build healthier communities.

Participants in these events can receive $5 admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari in West Orange. The reduced admission is available on event days and participants must bring their race bib or proof of registration to receive the discount.

  American Heart Association, ARC of Essex County, Cancer, Codey Arena, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Devils, New Jersey Children’s Alliance, Nikhil Badlani Foundation, Prudential, RWJBarnabas Health, South Mountain Recreation Complex, Turtle Back Zoo, Valerie Fund, Verona Park