Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/21/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I thought that the campaign in New Jersey was almost a primary election that was run instead of the general election. I think that was reflected at the polls. A much closer election than we had anticipated.” – Senate President Scutari on last year’s gubernatorial election
TOP STORY: Pinkin Surfaces, Draws
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,927,349 cases and 30,338 confirmed fatalities (and 307,685 probable cases and 3,018 probable fatalities) as of Wednesday (an increase of 1,634 confirmed cases, 654 probable cases, 8 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 3 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.21. There are 425 total hospitalizations, with 54 in intensive care units. There are 6,852,329 people fully vaccinated.
Adult-use cannabis sales commences today in the state.
Dispensaries may run out of recreational weed on the first day of sales, according to NJ.com.
The DCA announced nearly $1M in Main Street NJ Transformational Grants.
The US Attorney’s Office charged Dion Marsh with hate crimes for a spree of violent assaults against Orthodox Jews in Lakewood.
Essex County municipal clerks were celebrated at an annual conference, according to TAPinto.
The state comptroller says Monmouth County skipped bid rules in a landfill contract, according to the Asbury Park Press.
A lawsuit alleges that Passaic County Prosecutor Valdes punished a staffer who didn’t process ‘inappropriate’ photos, according to NorthJersey.com.
More than a fifth of NJ motorists drive distracted, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senator Menendez urged Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to combat Russian media Spanish-language disinformation on Ukraine.
Rep. Van Drew slammed the Biden Administration’s appealing of the court decision to end the travel mask mandate.
ICYMI: Cannabis sales set to begin 4/21; poll finds majority support self-serve gas option w/ full-serve retained; support dropping significantly for COVID measures; Murphy signed order clarifying vax requirements; Sherrill, Murphy highlighted federal child care funding; Sweeney discusses plans on affordability; Burke discusses future of dining following the pandemic; Murphy, State Police confirmed shooting incident at American Dream Mall; Stockton poll finds minority voters more moderate than Dems overall; Monmouth poll finds residents prefer to keep Dems in Congress by small edge, but Biden continues to be underwater; Murphy earns majority approval rating but most say he wouldn’t make a good Prez
In CD3, the Cook Political Report shifted the race from ‘Likely Democratic’ to ‘Lean Democratic’, according to NJ.com.
In CD7, the NJ 2nd Amendment Society endorsed GOP primary candidate Assemblyman Peterson. Former Secretary of State Pompeo endorsed Senator Kean, according to SaveJersey.
In CD8, Democratic primary candidate Rob Menendez was endorsed by the Committee For Hispanic Causes’ BOLD PAC.
The Morris County GOP welcomed former Morristown Democratic Chair AJ Oliver into the party, following his switch of affiliation.
The HCDO endorsed Hudson Clerk Maldonado in the primary, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: Kean swiped at Malinowski; Pinkin held primary ballot drawing following court order over cancellation; ‘Democrats For Life’ fired off letter to DNC Chair protesting treatment of Oliver’s pro-life stance; Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; Norcross says ‘new direction’ needed for SJ Dems; Jones galvanized North Jersey Dems; in CD7, dynamics of Kean v. Malinowski; in CD8, HCDO challenged petitions of Varela, who withdrew his candidacy; 2022 primary primer; Garces hosting ‘Discussion on Empowering Different Abilities‘ summit; appeals court reinstated bribery charges against O’Donnell; filing deadline brings candidates, and also candidate slogans; Cabana asks Mastrangelo to refrain using name on campaign lit 2022 primary primer; Garces hosting ‘Discussion on Empowering Different Abilities‘ summit; appeals court reinstated bribery charges against O’Donnell; filing deadline brings candidates, and also candidate slogans; Cabana asks Mastrangelo to refrain using name on campaign lit
In Belleville, former GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli issued an endorsement of Mayor Melham in the May election; Melham, an independent, backed Ciattarelli in last year’s gubernatorial election.
In Bayonne, Mayor Davis expressed support for banning off-duty cops from consuming marijuana.
In Edison, the township joined Middlesex County’s emergency radio system. Construction began on the town’s first community garden.
In Newark, West Ward council candidate Dupre Kelly released a revitalization plan for the ward. The ‘Moving Newark Schools Forward’ BOE slate are the likely winners of the election, according to TAPinto.
In Berkeley Heights, two bond ordinances were introduced to fund capital improvements, according to TAPinto.
In Chester, the budget squeezes just under the 2% cap, according to NJ Hills.
In Denville, a resident pleaded with the council to help stop severe harassment of the his family by local high school students, according to TAPinto.
In Fredon, the BOE budget was rejected and BOE members were elected, according to NJ Herald.
In Hackensack, Rev. Davis worries that new development could push out longtime residents, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hanover, the budget was adopted with a slight tax increase, according to NJ Hills.
In Howell, primary candidates may get knocked off the ballot as lawsuits are filed, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Hill, departments presented capital items requests, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, police officers won’t be permitted to use marijuana off-duty, according to Hudson County View.
In Mendham Township, taxpayers will see a slight decrease in municipal taxes, according to NJ Hills.
In Middletown, the new budget calls for a $6.6M tax hike, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Montague, BOE members were elected, according to NJ Herald.
In Orange, thirteen candidates are running for four ward seats, according to TAPinto.
In Paterson, Mayor Sayegh has a massive edge in fundraising over his rivals, according to Paterson Press. Councilman Mendez allegedly threatened a freelance reporter, according to Paterson Times. Mendez was the only person issued sanitation tickets throughout the city for an entire week, according to Paterson Press. Plans were unveiled for a $40M mixed-use development, according to NJ Biz.
In Phillipsburg, the budget was approved, according to TAPinto.
In Pleasantville, the council review of a solid waste transfer station is still stalled, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Red Bank, the ‘Broadwalk’ may return even as pandemic rules drop, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Saddle Brook, the police chief says the town ‘deserves better‘ in reference to an unkempt hotel, according to the Bergen Record.
In Totowa, the school budget was passed, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Trenton, Council VP Caldwell-Wilson resigned as VP, citing a broken relationship with Council President McBride, saying that it ‘doesn’t matter what I do or say‘, according to the Trentonian. A councilman wants to return to in-person meetings, according to the Trentonian.
In West New York, the ‘Your Children’s Future’ BOE slate dominated, according to Hudson County View.
In West Orange, the council introduced an ordinance to amend street cleaning and maintenance, according to TAPinto.
In Westfield, police supervisors are suing the town alleging retaliation, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Paterson, CWA endorsed Sayegh, Murphy doubled down on support for Sayegh; in Bayonne, 32BJ endorsed Ashe Nadrowski, Kopacz endorsed Team Davis; in Dover, McCourt slammed Correa following commissioner challenger slate removal from ballot; in Eatontown, Story won a lawsuit to be on ballot; in Bloomfield, Strumolo passed away; in Paterson, the heated mayoral race continues, as endorsements come in for Sayegh (Murphy) and Mendez (Torres); in Newark, the South Ward candidates clashed in forum, South Ward candidate Cherry hopes to use her own story of financial freedom to help others, Rice endorsed Kelly, all eyes on Kelly’s first submitted ELEC report, Adams fundraised for Baraka, Essex Building Trades made endorsements, Montague has uphill climb in her quest to take on City Hall; in Mendham, the culture wars descended; in Bayonne, Nadrowski fired another salvo at Davis; in Newark, the Firefighters issued endorsements, West Ward council candidates Kelly and Onyema tangled over mayor’s affections, James and Kelly continued to clash following forum
AROUND THE WEB:
Cops to provide security as N.J. begins recreational weed sales
Richard Cowen and Matt Gray, For NJ.com
- Ready or not, New Jersey will step into the brave new world of legal marijuana on Thursday, with local cops set to provide the security at dispensaries where anyone 21 or older can walk in and buy the once-illegal weed.
State police chiefs seek ‘safety-sensitive employee’ exclusion to cannabis law
John Zebrowski, NJSACOP (Marlton)
- Most states that approved the use of recreational cannabis have exclusions for those employed in “safety-sensitive” professions. These are individuals who hold such jobs as train operators, air traffic controllers and those working on utility pipelines. That group also includes police officers. It is sound reasoning to have such an exclusion for the safety of the workers and the public they serve. But, until there is a change in the law in New Jersey, police officers and other “safety-sensitive” employees here can use recreational cannabis during their off-duty hours and then report to work.
To start, it’s corporate cannabis cashing in on NJ legalization
Michael Symons, NJ1015
- Recreational marijuana sales start Thursday in New Jersey, the culmination of a more than decade of advocacy efforts and the debut of what’s expected to grow into a multi-billion-dollar industry. It’s happening at 13 medical dispensaries that are expanding their operations, generally owned by the nation’s larger marijuana businesses. Six of the seven companies starting adult-use sales are among the 15 largest cannabis companies in the country, and none are small, local mom-and-pop businesses.
Murphy embraces going maskless in New Jersey
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- After a day of mask confusion on mass transit in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy hopes to have and “wrinkles” worked out soon. When New Jersey Transit announced masks would still be required on trains and busses after a federal judge struck down the Biden administrations mass transit mask mandate, Murphy stepped in and said that was not the case.
Van Drew to Allegedly ‘Moderate’ Dems: “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?” (OPINION)
Jeff Van Drew, Save Jersey
- As Biden’s poll numbers continue to plummet and Election Day nears, I can’t help but ask this group of allegedly ‘moderate’ Democrats suddenly willing to buck their party’s leadership a very simple question – “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS?”
State judge who told parties he had “no expertise in family law” faces discipline
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- A Camden County Superior Court judge is in hot water over a temporary assignment in the vicinage’s family division. The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct filed a formal complaint Tuesday against Judge Michael J. Kassel, saying he violated court rules and impinged on the judiciary’s integrity by failing to familiarize himself with family law, complaining about his temporary assignment, and repeatedly telling parties he lacked the expertise to adjudicate their cases.
$10 million to flow into NJ lakes to combat algae blooms, stormwater runoff
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- Resuming the battle against harmful algae blooms that have closed New Jersey lakes in recent years, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced a new $10 million grant program to support waterbody conservation and combat pollution.
Local high schooler lauded for work with Chatham Township administration
Claudia Ceva, NJ Hills
- Jocelyn Xu has been pretty busy over the past year or so.
Op-Ed: A public audit of NJ’s Regional Operations Intelligence Center is long overdue
Colin Kalmbacher, Iman Boukadoum, NJ Spotlight
- Fusion centers are intelligence-gathering centers that few Americans know much of anything about, and the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center in West Trenton is no exception. One of 79 fusion centers in the U.S., it is notoriously untransparent.
After 3rd fundraiser, ‘The Real Rocky’ Chuck Wepner has bronze statue coming to Bayonne
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- After a third fundraiser for the cause, “The Real Rocky” Chuck Wepner has a bronze statue coming to Bayonne to commemorate his prolific fight career.
It’s tough for NJ’s homeless to get IDs. But to access vital services, they must show IDs
Ashley Balcerzak, NorthJersey.com
- For two years Alberto Volpe rotated between crashing on friends’ couches, bunking in Newark shelters where he felt unsafe, sleeping on the street, or using his paycheck for a night or two of reprieve in hotels.
How much legal weed can I buy in N.J. at each visit to a dispensary?
Suzette Parmley, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey arrive Thursday after the Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved the applications of seven medical marijuana dispensaries, formally known as alternative treatment centers, to also sell adult use weed at 13 stores.
Live in Pa. and hope to buy weed in N.J. and come home? You could quickly become a criminal.
Tony Rhodin, For lehighvalleylive.com
- Easton-based defense attorney Gary Asteak has advice for any Pennsylvania resident who has an inkling about buying marijuana in New Jersey once recreational sales begin on Thursday. Make a doctor’s appointment instead.
Here’s why NJ plan to extend retirement benefits to thousands is stuck in neutral
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- Three years after New Jersey promised to expand retirement benefits to thousands of Garden State workers, the program remains in limbo, with no set timeline to start and no firm idea of how many will opt in.
Want to check out all Revolutionary War sites in NJ? Now there’s a list
Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey has long been known as the crossroads of the American Revolution, but historians say it’s more accurate to say the Garden State was in the crosshairs of the War of Independence. New Jersey has numerous historic war sites, but until recently, there was no central location that listed all of them.
Hunterdon County, local candidates file for June 2022 primary
Walter O’Brien, NJ Hills
- Candidates have filed their petitions as of Monday, April 4, to run for county and local offices in the upcoming Tuesday, June 7, primary.
Sussex prosecutors dismiss charges against Missouri man in 2010 botched kidnapping
Lori Comstock, New Jersey Herald
- Authorities asked a judge to drop charges against one of three Missouri men convicted of a bungled kidnapping plot 12 years ago that led to the mistaken-identity abduction of Newton business owner Jeffrey Muller.
Your commute along the Raritan River in Hillsborough may be disrupted for quite a while
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- Motorists on River Road next to the South Branch of the Raritan River across from the Neshanic Station section of Branchburg will be facing major traffic disruptions because of two construction projects.
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