Jackson, NJ—A grant from Jackson’s Clean Communities program helped a local organization clear hundreds of trash bags of litter from the city’s roadways this weekend.
New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide program that promotes volunteer cleanup of public lands.
This week, dozens of local groups hit the highways with trash bags and began cleaning the streets.
Each year, the township hosts these public cleanups and reimburses organizations and community groups $500 per mile of road cleaned. That funding comes from the NJ DEP’s New Jersey Clean Communities grant.
This year, approximately 30 groups, directed by Jackson DPW under Shawn Bolinksy hit the roads and cleaned up over 200 bags of trash. That doesn’t include the tires or wood pallets discarded along the roadside, which were also collected.
Jackson Council President Jennifer Kuhn worked alongside the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League to clean up Grawtown Road.
“This is a great way for the community to pitch in and help keep our roadways clean,” Councilwoman Kuhn said. I want to thank all of the organizations that came out to pitch in today.”
The Clean Communities Program was organized under Mayor Michael Reina’s administration. It was previously managed by Patricia Wood, who grew the program over the years before her passing in 2021.
- Mikie Sherrill is in big trouble over lucrative lucky stock trades made while serving in Congress
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill is in hot water over stock trades that increased her net worth by millions of dollars while serving in Congress. Voters are questioning her financial decisions, allegedly made using information she obtained through her position in Congress.
This could hurt her in November, according to a new poll released this week. Sherrill’s net worth while in Congress increased by $10,000,000. She says she’s just a lucky gal.
The poll, conducted June 11-12 by National Research Inc. shows Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill narrowly leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial contest. The survey of 600 likely voters reports Sherrill with 45% support, Ciattarelli at 42%, and 12% undecided. The margin of error is plus or minus 4% at the 95% confidence level.
Voter preferences are split along party and class lines. Sherrill leads among Democrats 81% to 10% and holds advantages with upper-middle-class voters at 50% to 40% and upper-class voters at 48% to 35%. Ciattarelli maintains a strong lead with Republicans at 82% to 5%, unaffiliated voters at 44% to 36%, and working-class voters at 43% to 40%. Among those who participated in the 2021 gubernatorial election, Sherrill leads by one point, 44% to 43%.
The poll indicates widespread dissatisfaction with New Jersey’s direction. A majority of 54% believe the state is on the wrong track, while 33% say it is headed in the right direction. Ciattarelli leads Sherrill among wrong-track voters by a margin of 72% to 14%. Among voters seeking a candidate who will shake up Trenton, Ciattarelli holds an 87% to 6% advantage.
Concerns about state issues are closely tied to voter discontent. Among those who believe the state is on the wrong track, 70% cite taxes, 60% cite inflation, and 83% cite immigration as their most important issues.
Among Republicans, 89% believe the state is on the wrong track compared to 23% of Democrats and 59% of unaffiliated voters.
Personal finances could result in big trouble in November
The survey tested a negative message regarding Sherrill’s personal finances. Since entering Congress, Sherrill’s net worth reportedly increased to over $10 million through stock trades involving defense contractors while serving on the House Armed Services Committee. She was fined for failing to disclose certain trades. The poll found that 61% of undecided voters would be less likely to support Sherrill after hearing this information. The message also reduced support among unaffiliated voters by 57%, working-class voters by 54%, and middle-class voters by 51%.
Survey results suggest that while Sherrill maintains a slight lead, widespread dissatisfaction with the state’s direction and concerns about her financial activities may influence the race as it moves forward.
- New Jersey’s Left Doesn’t Want a King, Unless That King is Governor Phil Murphy or Another Democrat
New Jersey is a crazy mess and this weekend, things got a bit crazier as thousands came out for a “No Kings” protest against President Trump, supported by the very same people who voted to re-elect Governor Phil Murphy in 2021.
The Twilight Zone has arrived.
A post by X user Morgan Marek went viral, highlighting a perceived hypocrisy in the “No Kings” movement—a slogan often associated with anti-authoritarian sentiments, particularly against figures like President Donald Trump.
Marek’s post sarcastically lists a series of mandates and restrictions, juxtaposing the anti-monarchical rhetoric with what she sees as overreaching government control.
It appeared to pointed directly at New Jersey and Governor Phil Murphy, who many in the state refer to as “King Philip”.
The post ends with a pointed question: “The hypocrisy is astounding. WHO is actually the tyrant here?” While the post doesn’t name a specific leader, it invites a deeper look at governance, especially in the context of New Jersey under Governor Phil Murphy, where some argue the state has faced more stringent control than under Trump’s federal policies.
The “No Kings” Irony
The “No Kings” phrase echoes the American Revolution’s rejection of monarchy, repurposed in modern times to criticize perceived authoritarianism. Marek’s list—masks, lockdowns, vaccine mandates, business closures, and limits on gatherings—mocks the idea that such measures contradict the anti-king sentiment. The post suggests that while protesters may target Trump, the real overreach might lie closer to home, particularly with state-level leaders like Murphy.
Trump vs. Murphy: A Comparative Lens
During Trump’s presidency, federal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic left much to state governors, including Murphy. Trump’s administration pushed for individual freedoms, often clashing with public health experts, but stopped short of nationwide mandates.
In contrast, Governor Murphy, a Democrat, implemented some of the strictest measures in the U.S. New Jersey saw prolonged lockdowns, mandatory mask policies, and business shutdowns that devastated local economies. For instance, indoor dining was banned for months, and capacity limits persisted well into 2021.
Murphy also faced backlash for rejecting certain religious exemptions and enforcing social distancing rules that separated families during hospital visits—a point Marek echoes with “your family members will die alone.”
Data from 2020-2021 shows New Jersey’s economic recovery lagged behind national averages, with small businesses reporting higher closure rates than in many other states. Critics argue Murphy’s policies, while rooted in public health, exceeded federal guidelines and ignored local input, painting him as a “king” in practice despite the “No Kings” rhetoric aimed at Trump.
The Hypocrisy Unraveled
The hypocrisy Marek highlights lies in the selective outrage. Trump, a polarizing figure, became a lightning rod for “No Kings” protests, yet his influence over state-level decisions was limited. Murphy, however, wielded direct power, issuing executive orders that shaped daily life in New Jersey more tangibly than Trump’s broader policies. The post’s mention of a hotline to “tattle on your neighbor” alludes to Murphy’s snitch line for reporting lockdown violations—a move that fueled perceptions of authoritarianism.
Who’s the Tyrant?
Marek’s question doesn’t provide an answer, but the comparison suggests a need to scrutinize local leaders alongside national ones.
While Trump’s style invited criticism, Murphy’s hands-on governance in New Jersey arguably imposed more immediate restrictions.
The “No Kings” movement, if genuine, might better direct its energy toward state capitals where executive power is most felt.
Morgan Marek’s post serves as a provocative mirror, reflecting the contradictions within anti-authoritarian protests. While Trump remains a symbol of overreach for many, the lived experience under Governor Murphy in New Jersey reveals a deeper irony. True resistance to “kings” requires looking beyond federal figureheads to the statehouses where mandates hit hardest. As New Jersey continues to recover, this debate underscores the need for balanced governance—neither monarchic nor blindly punitive.
