Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/1/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “What has Murphy done for the immigrant community? Where is his progressive agenda? The only thing they did was the drivers licenses and that was a long struggle for us to even pass that bill and support immigrant workers.” – A Cosecha activist expressing disappointment with Governor Murphy
TOP STORY: Latino Protesters Dog Murphy in Newark
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 894,007 cases and 23,778 confirmed fatalities (and 130,548 probable cases and 2,703 probable fatalities) as of Tuesday (an increase of 145 confirmed cases, 54 probable cases, and 0 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .95. There have been 10,390,163 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 5,054,750 people fully vaccinated).
NJ, NY, and CT are fighting over how to split $14B in transportation aid, according to the Bergen Record.
Atlantic County’s municipal court consolidation plan was endorsed by ACGOP Chairman Davis and AC Democratic Chairman Suleiman.
Bergen County encouraged residents to apply to rental relief as the application deadline approaches.
Burlington County will celebrate the opening of a new segment of the Delaware River Heritage Trail.
Camden County received $4.4M for its LINK Trails project.
Renee Robeson was sworn-in as Hunterdon County Prosecutor, according to NJ Hills.
Morris County dedicated the first of eight new historic markers.
Union County will hold additional COVID-19 emergency food distributions this month.
Senators Menendez and Booker urged NJDOE Secretary Cardona to expand debt relief for student loan borrowers.
Rep. Sherrill will hold a virtual town hall today on the pandemic recovery, according to Morristown Green.
Rep. Watson Coleman sent a letter to President Biden and FEMA Administrator Criswell asking for a strategic plan for heat emergencies.
A former VA Medical Center employee was indicted for stealing over $10M worth of HIV medication.
ICYMI: Pascrell chaired higher education expansion hearing; Murphy announced Bruck as Acting AG following impending departure of Grewal; AG’s Office released video footage of Edna Mahan assaults; Murphy signed FY2022 budget (watch here), touting it as ‘progressive’ and ‘responsible’
In Atlantic City, activists rallied in support of the city’s syringe access and needle exchange program. With the smoking ban over, smokers are lighting up again in casinos, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bloomfield, firefighters took part in an online certification course on diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace.
In Bedminster, the council will resume consideration of the tables marijuana ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Bernardsville, Councilman O’Dea attended his final council meeting, according to NJ Hills.
In Cape May, Councilman Bezaire took a leave of absence as he faces cyberstalking charges, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Chester, the facelift continues for municipal buildings, according to NJ Hills.
In East Orange, the city is embracing community policing, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Highland Park, the redevelopment vote was delayed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Long Hill, the schools will survey parents and staff on masks and COVID-19 safety measures, according to NJ Hills.
In Montvale, Suez is proposing two giant water tanks behind homes, according to the Bergen Record.
In Mount Laurel, local activists filed complaints with the police, according to the Burlington County Times.
In Paramus, masks will likely be optional in schools in September, according to the Bergen Record.
In Paterson, BLM activists criticized the mayor for leaving a meeting early, according to Paterson Press.
In Peapack-Gladstone, taxes are up as revenues are down, according to NJ Hills.
In Saddle Brook, the schools superintendent took a top post in New Milford, according to the Bergen Record.
In Toms River, the town is still aiming to buy an old egg farm, but legal issue cloud the deal, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Westfield, the council will resume in-person meetings, according to TAPinto.
In Woodland Park, the town adopted its 2021 budget, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Linden, WFNJ filed an ethics complaint against Scutari; in Washington, Juneteenth resolution triggered mayhem; in Randolph, rowdy BOE meeting on controversial decision to remove holidays ends with BOE voting to revert calendar back
AROUND THE WEB:
Coughlin: I fought for $100M to get childcare back on track | Opinion
Craig J. Coughlin
- For far too many of our New Jersey families, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the crisis of childcare and its effects on both our household economies and our state’s economy.
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- The oldest member of the Hudson County Department of Corrections, a Black, female lieutenant, is suing her boss and her employer after facing retaliation for “cruel and unusual” treatment of an inmate last year, as well as for age and race discrimination.
10 Most Endangered Historical Sites In NJ: Here’s Where They Are
Caren Lissner, Patch Staff
- Historic structures offer literal and figurative windows to the past — and once they’re gone, you can’t get them back. A group in New Jersey aims to raise awareness of the top 10 endangered structures in New Jersey each year, to save them from potential demolition or redevelopment.
JCEA President Greco calls out Jersey City BOE admin over no AC on two floors of HQ building
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Education Association President Ron Greco is calling out the board of education administration over no air conditioning on two floors of their main headquarters at 346 Claremont Ave.
Shootings in Paterson spike, on track to outpace last year’s number
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- The city of Paterson has already had 100 shootings this year, on track to outpace last year’s 163 shootings. Public officials say they are doubling down on policing efforts: “Whether it be law enforcement strategies, whether it be community collaboration, whether it be partnerships — all those things together is how we will respond to the violence,” said Jerry Speziale, Public Safety Director with the Paterson Police Department.
Opinion: Giving every resident a voice through the ballot box
Shennell McCloud, NJ Spotlight
- Lately, it feels like every day, I wake up to news about how states are working to restrict access to voting while pushing a false narrative about election fraud. Those of us who care about protecting the right to vote need to push elected leaders at the federal, state and local levels to make it easier, not harder, for every resident to make their voice heard through the ballot box.
‘Jarring’: Neighbors react after police fatally shoot man in ‘quiet’ Newton neighborhood
Lori Comstock, New Jersey Herald
- Around 9:30 p.m. on a crisp Fourth of July evening in Sussex County, the community was honoring first responders with a parade at the Miners’ baseball game just as, 7 miles across town, a trio of Newton officers were responding to a home, unaware that the night would end in death.
In early days of race, Ciattarelli stays on the right
David Cruz, NJ Spotlight
- With most of their legislative work complete, Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers are now turning their attention to the campaign trail, heating up what’s typically a slow summer march to election season.
Is Murphy’s decision to lift the mandate on school masks based on science or politics?
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- When Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week that he had reversed his stance and would not mandate mask-wearing at New Jersey schools come September, it came at an unusual time. Schools aren’t due to open for another two months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to issue its guidance on school mask-wearing.
$500 N.J. tax rebate checks arriving soon. Yes, that’s Murphy’s name attached, in an election year.
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans will open their mailbox in the coming weeks to find a rebate check of up to $500 from the state.
Melanie Burney, Philadelphia Inquirer
- The tiny reddish-orange flags that dot a corner of the historic Mount Peace Cemetery in Lawnside tell a story. They mark more than 200 newly uncovered graves in the sprawling cemetery established in 1900 as a private, nonsectarian resting place for Black Civil War veterans, former enslaved people, and those who could not be buried in white-only cemeteries.
Protecting that priceless Palisades waterfront view | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Whether you’ve been living in a house atop the Palisades cliffs for decades or recently moved into one of the expensive new high rises in North Bergen or Cliffside Park, you probably treasure the views from your windows.
City Council approves sale of derelict Leader Dye factory site in Paterson
Paterson Times Staff
- A day after the long-derelict Leader Dye factory site auction closed, the City Council approved the sale of the nearly two-acre site for $7.61 million. Members of the City Council approved the sale in an 8-0 vote last Thursday.
Melanie Burney, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Shortly after the Elizabeth V. Edwards School closed in 2004, strange things began happening: ghost sightings, creaking sounds echoing in the halls of the empty building, music playing, and telephone ringings.
Encroaching waste materials threatens Camden house and residents’ health, says state
Phaedra Trethan, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Carlton Soudan said when his grandmother passed at the age of 103, she still enjoyed the backyard of her home. There were honeysuckle vines and trees, and Bergen Square was once a quiet neighborhood of rowhouses.
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