https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/237075164122601/
TRENTON, NJ – Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman has been on an anti-President Trump crusade since the man took office. Early on in the 2016 election cycle, she had many allies in the New Jersey Republican Party cheering alongside her, including Jack Ciattarelli, who is running for Governor in 2021. These days, Jack has laid off on the Anti-Trumper rhetoric and is even pushing himself as the Trump guy, but Whitman has become the Jane Fonda of the Republican Party.
Whitman spoke at the 2020 Democrat National Convention to endorse Democrat Joe Biden. She claimed about how she comes from a long lineage of Republicans, who now are definitely rolling in their graves.
“This isn’t about Republican or Democrat, it’s about a person,” Whitman said. “A person decent enough, stable enough to get our economy back on track. A person who can work with everyone. Donald Trump isn’t that person. Joe Biden is.”
The New Jersey Republican party in general is just shy of left these days, but for one of their elder stateswomen to go into the capital city of the Democrat party and help that party launch attacks against the Republican, well, maybe her new name should be Milwaukee Jane.
Whether you love them or hate them, there are several types of summer swimming pool stereotypes. Dude Perfect has put together a great video showing them all.
Since the George Floyd protests and riots Amazon Prime has been suggesting the viewing of many classic movies about race and culture. This week, we bit and watched Watermelon Man, a 1970’s comedy about an arrogant, racist white insurance salesman who wakes up one morning as a black man. Starring Godfrey Cambridge as Jeffery Gerber, a white man who who is racist, sexist and self-centered and his wife Althea.
After waking up black one moring, Gerber thinks it was just a matter of his overusing a tanning bed every day, but he soon finds out his new black skin isn’t washing off and isn’t fading. So he eventually goes out into the world as a black man and realizes within minutes what it’s like to go out into the world as black man.
He’s called “n-gger” by his neighbors, was blamed for robbing people on the street and was chased by police simply for jogging through his neighborhood. His wife eventually leaves him because although she loves him, she doesn’t want to be “married to a negro” and worries what the neighbors would think if they started having “mixed negro” children. He eventually settles in with his new look and the movie ends with him being alone, working a menial job.
The movie was supposed to end with Gerber waking up to find out it was all a dream, but producers admitted they forgot to shoot that scene. The movie was a financial success in 1970, raking in $1,000,000. Sadly, Cambridge, an up and coming stand up comic alongside the likes of Bill Cosby and Nipsey Russell passed away six years later at the age of 43, suffering a heart attack.
The movie is a bit strange cinematically, but it fits into what was actually in-style during the early 1970’s and late 1960’s. It’s doubtful such a movie could be made today without being boycotted or called racist, but it does a great job of bringing people in to the plight of black Americans with a twist of comedy and surprise.
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was arrested on Aug. 14, 2020, on a charge that he conspired with a relative of his who also was a former CIA officer to communicate classified information up to the Top Secret level to intelligence officials of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Criminal Complaint containing the charge was unsealed this morning.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Kenji M. Price, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division Alan E. Kohler Jr., and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office Eli S. Miranda made the announcement.
“The trail of Chinese espionage is long and, sadly, strewn with former American intelligence officers who betrayed their colleagues, their country and its liberal democratic values to support an authoritarian communist regime,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “This betrayal is never worth it. Whether immediately, or many years after they thought they got away with it, we will find these traitors and we will bring them to justice. To the Chinese intelligence services, these individuals are expendable. To us, they are sad but urgent reminders of the need to stay vigilant.”
“The charges announced today are a sobering reminder to our communities in Hawaii of the constant threat posed by those who seek to jeopardize our nation’s security through acts of espionage,” said U.S. Attorney Price. “Of particular concern are the criminal acts of those who served in our nation’s intelligence community, but then choose to betray their former colleagues and the nation-at large by divulging classified national defense information to China. My office will continue to tenaciously pursue espionage cases.”
“This serious act of espionage is another example in a long string of illicit activities that thePeople’s Republic of China is conducting within and against the United States,” said Alan E. Kohler Jr., Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “This case demonstrates that no matter the length or difficulty of the investigation, the men and women of the FBI will work tirelessly to protect our national security from the threat posed by Chinese intelligence services. Let it be known that anyone who violates a position of trust to betray the United States will face justice, no matter how many years it takes to bring their crimes to light.”
“These cases are very complicated and take years if not decades to bring to a conclusion,” said Eli Miranda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Honolulu Division. “I could not be more proud of the work done by the men and women of the FBI’s Honolulu Division in pursuing this case. Their dedication is a reminder that the FBI will never waiver when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of our nation.”
Ma is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hong Kong. According to court documents, Ma began working for the CIA in 1982, maintained a Top Secret clearance, and signed numerous non-disclosure agreements in which he acknowledged his responsibility and ongoing duty to protect U.S. government secrets during his tenure at CIA. Ma left the CIA in 1989 and lived and worked in Shanghai, China before arriving in Hawaii in 2001.
According to court documents, Ma and his relative (identified as co-conspirator #1) conspired with each other and multiple PRC intelligence officials to communicate classified national defense information over the course of a decade. The scheme began with three days of meetings in Hong Kong in March 2001 during which the two former CIA officers provided information to the foreign intelligence service about the CIA’s personnel, operations, and methods of concealing communications. Part of the meeting was captured on videotape, including a portion where Ma can be seen receiving and counting $50,000 in cash for the secrets they provided.
The court documents further allege that after Ma moved to Hawaii, he sought employment with the FBI in order to once again gain access to classified U.S. government information which he could in turn provide to his PRC handlers. In 2004, the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office hired Ma as a contract linguist tasked with reviewing and translating Chinese language documents. Over the following six years, Ma regularly copied, photographed and stole documents that displayed U.S. classification markings such as “SECRET.” Ma took some of the stolen documents and images with him on his frequent trips to China with the intent to provide them to his handlers. Ma often returned from China with thousands of dollars in cash and expensive gifts, such as a new set of golf clubs.
According to court documents, in spring 2019, over the course of two in-person meetings, Ma confirmed his espionage activities to an FBI undercover employee Ma believed was a representative of the PRC intelligence service, and accepted $2,000 in cash from the FBI undercover as “small token” of appreciation for Ma’s assistance to China. Ma also offered to once again work for the PRC intelligence service. On August 12, 2020, during a meeting with an FBI undercover employee before arrest, Ma again accepted money for his past espionage activities, expressed his willingness to continue to help the Chinese government, and stated that he wanted “the motherland” to succeed.
Ma will make his initial appearance before a federal judge tomorrow in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. He is charged with conspiracy to communicate national defense information to aid a foreign government and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted. The maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. In the event Ma is convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Honolulu and Los Angeles Field Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson and Trial Attorneys Scott Claffee and Steve Marzen of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Photo by Robert Nyman on Unsplash
BALTIMORE, MD – Activist Kimberly Klacik and elected member of the Baltimore City Council put out a video describing what life is really like in Baltimore because of the failed policies of the Democrat party. Klacik said she believes Black Lives Matter and that’s why residents of Baltimore and black Americans in general need to stop voting for Democrats.
“Democrats don’t want you to see this. They’re scared that I’m exposing what life is like in Democrat run cities. That’s why I’m running for Congress Because All Black Lives Matter Baltimore Matters And black people don’t have to vote Democrat,” Klacik said.
Democrats don’t want you to see this.
They’re scared that I’m exposing what life is like in Democrat run cities.
That’s why I’m running for Congress
Because All Black Lives Matter
Baltimore Matters
And black people don’t have to vote Democrat
Help us win https://t.co/CSOjc9aQlS pic.twitter.com/XnEDTaDDIG— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) August 17, 2020
NEW YORK CITY, NY – It sounds like a plan Joe Biden might have had in 1988, but boomer Alexandria Ocasio Cortez has lost some chic hip points after suggesting Americans go out and buy those things we call stamps and start a pen pal program. Most of her constituents had to Google both to figure out what she’s talking about, but she insists on saving a dying entity and damaging the environment. Why should millions of people buy stamps, to put on pieces of paper (dead trees) to then ship all over the world (carbon foot print) when you can just send the person an email that costs nothing and uses virtually no renewable resources. Duh.
We can’t imagine a national pen pal program working, but these days you never know. We’re not boomers here, but even we think this is plan only boomers would suggest and go far. Let’s see what happens here.
In a bid to revitalize the USPS, @aoc proposes a “national progressive penpal program” to boost stamp sales. pic.twitter.com/UzTNdz2Moq
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 17, 2020
Photo by Da Kraplak on Unsplash
ALBANY,NY – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says gyms will reopen in his state at 33% capacity on August 24th. Those facilities that reopen will be subject to rigorous health and safety standards and all gyms and fitness centers will be able to open by September 2.
“As New York maintains daily positive test rates below 1 percent, the State has determined that local elected officials can allow gyms and fitness centers to reopen at 33 percent capacity while following rigorous safety protocols, including wearing masks at all times,” Governor Cuomo said. “While it’s encouraging that we’ve reached the point where it’s acceptable for them to begin reopening in our communities, this is not the time to forget that the pandemic is ongoing. New Yorkers must closely adhere to the guidelines and local health departments are required to strictly enforce them to help ensure gyms and fitness centers reopen safely and protect the public health.”
Local elected officials may choose to delay the reopening of gyms and fitness centers until September 2 to, in part, provide time for required local health department inspections, and may also choose to delay the reopening of indoor fitness classes until a date beyond September 2. In New York City, the Mayor will determine whether gyms and fitness centers should postpone reopening. Outside of New York City, the county’s chief executive – county executive, administrator, manager, or chair of the local elected legislative body – will determine whether gym reopening needs to be postponed.
Localities can also determine whether gyms postpone resumption of indoor classes. In New York City, the Mayor and, throughout the rest of the state, the county’s chief executive may decide to opt-out of indoor group fitness and aquatic classes within their jurisdiction, postponing their resumption until a later date. Local health departments must inspect gyms prior to reopening, or within two weeks of reopening, to ensure strict adherence to Department of Health guidance.
Guidance for Gyms and Fitness Centers
- Capacity: 33% occupancy limit.
- Access: Sign-in with contact information and health screening required.
- PPE: Appropriate face coverings required at all times.
- Distancing: 6 feet of separation at all times.
- Hygiene/Cleaning: Cleaning and disinfection supplies made available to customers; shared equipment cleaned after every use; staff must also be available to clean and disinfect equipment in between uses; rental equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between customer use.
- Classes: By appointment/reservation only; maximum class capacity capped at number of people that can adhere to the 6-feet social distancing rules, but in no case more than 33% of the typical class size (i.e., leave stations, cycles, etc. vacant); classes should be scheduled to allow additional time for cleaning and disinfection in between each session.
- Amenities: Water bottle refill stations permitted, but not shared water fountains; communal showers are closed, but individual showers/stalls can remain open so long as they are cleaned in between use.
- Air Handling Systems: Gyms should operate at MERV-13 or greater; if they are unable to operate at that level, they must have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional document their inability to do so and adopt additional ventilation and mitigation protocols from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Inspection: Local health departments shall inspect before or within two weeks of the gym/fitness center opening to ensure compliance.
Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash
TOMS RIVER, NJ – A poll of Shore News Network readers over the past week shows that most are opposed to Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill’s botched backdoor sale of public land to a member of the Lakewood Township Planning Board. Over 500 answers were received in the poll and 83.3% of those who took the poll feel Hill acted in an inappropriate or unethical manner to facilitate this land auction.
Just 10.8% approved, 3.9% were undecided and 2.0% said they really didn’t care what Mo Hill does.
89.2% of those who took the poll said they did not support Hill’s proposed auction, but just 48% said the township should not put the land back up for sale in a fair and open auction that is properly publicized and approved by the board. 11.8% said they don’t care if the land goes up for sale again and 13% were undecided about the sale. Just 26.5% felt the town should go back to the drawing board and sell the property on the open market.
The vast majority of poll takers said they felt Mo Hill and the Township of Toms River tried to cover up the details of the land sale once they were brought to light by Shore News Network after Councilman Daniel Rodrick blew the whistle on the suspicious transaction. 83.3% said the town tried to cover their tracks and an nearly identical amount felt Dan Rodrick did the right thing by exposing the land sale.
Although the poll is officially over, you can see the results and continue voting here.
Take Our Poll – What is Your Opinion of the Toms River PO Box Land Sale Scandal?
TRENTON, NJ – Did you know, people in your own household might right now be infected with the deadly COVID-19 virus and not even know about it? Maybe they contracted it at their last trip to the park or supermarket? Even worse, one of those outdoor bars where nobody follows directions or at the last radical leftist protest or riot your children attended. That’s the message New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli are sending this week as she and Governor Phil Murphy are pushing their contact tracers on New Jersey.
An army of 1,500 workers have been deployed to let you know you might have COVID-19, even though you don’t know it, have the sniffles or maybe a fever. With the virus’ numbers diminished by over 90% in most trackable statistics since April, Persichili reminded New Jersey, the killer is still lurking out there and when their contact tracers call, you need to answer.
“As the Governor covered, we are making progress in building our army of contact tracers in our state. However, we still have too many residents not providing key information to reach their contacts and control the spread of COVID-19,” she said. “That means that many individuals, the contacts, are not aware that they’ve been exposed to COVID-19. These individuals could be your family, your friends and your coworkers who unknowingly are contributing to the spread of the virus. This puts residents at risk, especially those who are most vulnerable, older adults and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and lung disease.”
Persichili said the state has now invested money into a statewide marketing and public relations campaign to promote contact tracers and encourage residents to answer the call. Persichili said the campaign is targeting communities where black and Latino people live.
“To help residents understand the importance of contact tracing and testing, last week we launched our public awareness campaign, For Each Other, For Us All. This campaign is a multichannel communications effort reaching vulnerable and high-risk audiences across the state with a heightened focus on communities of color, which have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Advertising is targeted to reach populations most at risk,” Persichili said. “Ads will also run in multicultural communities, such as the cities of Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth, Camden, Atlantic City and Trenton. As the campaign progresses, we hope the message for residents, For Each Other, For Us All, Answer the Call, will further resonate and we will see an increase in residents sharing their contacts with tracers so we can contain the virus.”
“Although the campaign has been running for a short time, we are already seeing positive results. More than 770,000 individuals have shared or liked the campaign ads on Facebook. We have seen a high engagement with the senior population via this social media channel,” she said “Video advertising on Univision has engaged residents with nearly all of them watching the majority of the video. The COVID-19 information hub has seen nearly 35,000 page views since the launch, and 95% of the users visited the site for the first time. After going to the test and trace page, most users have been clicking on the testing information page. More than 100 TV ads and nearly 600 radio ads have run so far. Billboards in New Jersey Transit advertising are up in key urban centers in Newark, Elizabeth, Camden, Patterson, Atlantic City and Trenton. We will continue to expand the reach of our campaign in the weeks to come.”
Photo by Jakayla Toney on Unsplash
7th Annual Celebration of HOPE Virtual Walk will be held on September 12
The annual walk, hosted by HOPE Sheds Light, provides hope and support to families that are impacted by substance use disorder.
Toms River, NJ – HOPE Sheds Light, Inc., a Toms River-based non-profit organization
dedicated to educating families on the disease of addiction, will host its 7th Annual Celebration of HOPE Virtual Walk on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The kick-off ceremony will be live on Facebook starting at 9am. The virtual walk will begin right after the ceremony. “If we have to go virtual, let’s go large,” said Pamela Capaci, CEO of HOPE Sheds Light. “With your help, HOPE Sheds Light will reach its goal of 10,000 walkers!”
At the Celebration of HOPE Walk, the community comes together to learn about substance use disorder. “We want to celebrate recovery and provide hope to those affected,” Capaci added. “Those impacted by addiction typically don’t know where to turn for help. Our walk offers them a community of support.”
Now in its seventh year, walkers are encouraged to register online and start a team. Registration is $5 per person. “We also invite you to create a personal video and tell us why you are walking,” Capaci said. Videos can be emailed to [email protected] and will be shared on HOPE Sheds Light’s social media channels leading up to walk day.
“Before COVID-19, New Jersey was dealing with the addiction epidemic,” said Capaci. “Since the pandemic, there has been a 20 percent increase in overdose deaths in New Jersey. Please help us raise awareness and support those impacted by substance use disorder.”
The walk offers resources for family members and friends of those dealing with addiction and substance misuse. The event also highlights inspirational speakers, a “virtual” Tree of HOPE to remember those who were lost, a 50/50 raffle and more. “It’s a celebration of recovery,” said Capaci. “We’re always hearing about the negatives of the disease. But by bringing hope and education to the community, we support each other and those affected. We show that recovery is possible.”
Founded in 2012 after Co-founder Ron Rosetto lost his son Marc to a battle against substance
abuse, HOPE Sheds Light serves to provide help and resources to families affected by addiction. Rosetto, along with Co-founders Arvo Prima and Stephen Willis, Chief Executive Officer Pamela Capaci and a team of board members and volunteers, work year-round to support families impacted by this epidemic that is so prevalent on the Jersey Shore and across New Jersey.
To learn more about HOPE Sheds Light or to register, donate or sponsor the 7th Annual Celebration of HOPE Virtual Walk, visit HOPEShedsLight.org.
About HOPE Sheds Light, Inc.
HOPE Sheds Light, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 46-3910504) that is supported by friends and families directly affected by addiction and found recovery through continuous love, support and understanding. The mission of HOPE Sheds Light is to raise awareness and educate individuals, families and the community about the impact of addiction by having the courage to share personal experiences and offer strength, wisdom, hope and resources that lead to positive community change and long-term recovery. To learn more, please visit http://www.HOPEShedsLight.org.
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Suggested caption:
HOPE Sheds Light will host its 7th Annual Celebration of HOPE Virtual Walk on September 12, 2020. Pictured from left: HOPE Sheds Light Co-founders Arvo Prima, Ron Rosetto and Stephen Willis at the 2019 Celebration of HOPE Walk.
TOMS RIVER, NJ – All over the country, liberals, Democrats and leftists are celebrating the death of President Donald J. Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump with a disgusting hashtag, #wrongtrump. The hashtag implies that the wrong Trump passed away, meaning they wish it was the President who died.
While the Trump family mourned the loss of one of their elders, the liberal left and the mainstream media continued piling on the President.
“Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always,” said niece Ivanka Trump.
Some Democrat politicians took the high road, even two prominent Democrats with huge scores to settle with the President.
“Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert’s passing. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one — and I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all,” said former Vice President Joe Biden.
“President Donald Trump and I spoke earlier today, and I extended my heartfelt prayers for his brother at this difficult time. I know the grief the President is feeling, having also lost my brother,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy who is suing the Trump administration.
Trump is planning a private White House funeral for his brother Robert.
“We’re looking at Friday. And we may do just a small service right here at the White House,”I think he’d be greatly honored. He loves our country. He loved our country so much. He was so proud of what we were doing and what we are doing for our country.”
Greensboro – Social distancing was ignored as liberal leftist protesters marched on the postmaster general’s home near the Greensboro Country Club. Anti in-person voting protesters say voting in person is dangerous to their health, but amassing in a large, close-quarters crowd is quite alright. Opponents of in-person voting claim the COVID-19 risks associated with the act of casting a ballot are too great to take chances with. Protesting on a hot summer day in a huge crowd is perfectly COVID-19 safe.
PORTLAND, OR – An ANTIFA mob in Portland, Oregon pulled a man from his car and nearly beat him to death. The mob, who according to Portland Police was blocking traffic claims the man tried to run them over. The man said the protesters were throwing objects at his vehicle and threatening himself and his passenger, a female. Trying to escape the mob, the driver crashed his truck into a light pole. As the man’s body lay on the ground, blood pouring out, the ANTIFA mob began looting the vehicle, taking the man’s belongings.
GRAPHIC: With the streets in downtown Portland occupied by BLM & antifa rioters, a man crashed his car. The mob pulled him out & beat him senseless in front of the passenger. He’s bleeding & unconscious. No police. Video by @livesmattershow. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/jjnt5dUeb8
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 17, 2020
Another video prior to the beating shows the man minding his own business before being approached by a mob. Some in that mob yelled, “He didn’t do nothing.” Then they starting beating a woman next to his truck.
“He didn’t do nothing bro”
Video by @livesmattershow shows the altercations that happened in downtown Portland before the car crash. The BLM mob is beating a blonde woman and they tackle her to the ground. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/c0xbTr2Eon
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 17, 2020
Later that night, police reported another incident. A victim suffered a gunshot wound after a drive-by shooting in the Woodlawn Neighborhood. On Monday, August 17, 2020 at 12:10a.m., North Precinct officers responded to a call of a shooting near Northeast 15th Avenue and Northeast Dekum Street. The victim was in his vehicle and had a gunshot wound to his arm. Medical responded and he was transported to a hospital by ambulance. His wound is believed to be non-life threatening. The victim told officers he was driving his pickup truck had been shot by someone in a passing car. No suspect information is being released.
Earlier in the afternoon at 12:45p.m., North Precinct Officers responded to a report of a shooting near the intersection of Northeast Knott Street and Northeast 7th Avenue. When they arrived they located an adult male with a gunshot wound to a leg. The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance. His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. Officers learned that a suspect or suspects drove by and fired at the victim from a moving vehicle. The suspects left before officers arrived and have not yet been located. No suspect information is available.
STURGIS, SD – If it wasn’t for the Sturgis Police Department, a handful of Antifa protesters, who want to “defund police”, could be waking up today in a hospital critical care unit. The small group of protesters showed up at the annual Sturgis Bike Rally where tens of thousands of bikers from around America come together each year to celebrate as one.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1294857320749568003
Sturgis Police officers received criticism for defending protesters who are calling to defund police, but said they are bound by duty to protect all citizens, even Antifa when necessary. The department said had they not stepped in when they did, things could have gone badly for the protesters.
“It is law enforcement’s job to protect everyone, protestors and anti-protestors alike,” the Sturgis Police Department said. “Law enforcement does not pick sides and protects everyone equality. Had law enforcement not been present, the small group of protestors would more than likely would have been assaulted.”
Residents of the community also praised their police officers for stepping in when they did.
“I’m proud that the men and women of our department take their vow to protect and serve no matter what seriously. As much as we would love to see ANTIFA dealt with. The police still have their duties to protect everyone that they can,” said one Meade County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to purchase 16.81 acres of land along South Hope Chapel Road between Whitesville Road and Route 571 to protect it from development, according to county documents. The board will vote to move on the acquisition on Wednesday. The purchase price has not been disclosed. The land, currently owned by Elizabeth Anne Runge of Oyster Bay New York is assessed at approximately $210,000. The land was recommended for purchase by the Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee which now has two Jackson Township residents presiding. The county said the parcel is to extend the Toms River Corridor Conservation Area.
TOMS RIVER, NJ – A new report today in the Asbury Park Press confirms that Toms River township Mayor Mo Hill, the township council and attorney Ken Fitzsimmons intentionally misled the public about the inner workings of Hill’s failed public land sale last week.
https://www.facebook.com/OceanCountyNewsSquad/videos/297637968122450/
An ordinance drafted by Fitzsimmons and the Toms River Division of Law, headed by New Jersey Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin stated that only one bid was received on the property. That bid was for $318,000 according to the ordinance. At last Tuesday’s meeting Fitzsimmons said there were in fact two bids and a bidding war ensued on the property. In today’s Asbury Park Press report, Acting Business Administrator Lou Amoruso admitted that there were 50 entities that entered bids on the very attractive commercial property on Hinds Road.
The town instead, focused on Chaim Sabel, a member of the Lakewood Planning Board. McGuckin’s firm, Dasti, Murphy & McGuckin also serves as the chief legal counsel for Lakewood’s land use board.
The township at last week’s meeting claimed Sabel had buyer’s remorse. Instead of going back to one of the fifty bidders who had interest in the property, the land deal was arranged for Sabel to purchase the property for just $250,000. That price was $68,000 lower than his winning bid.
At the meeting, Toms River Councilman Matt Lotano admitted that he had a working business relationship with the auction house. McGuckin, who runs the township legal department has a business relationship with the Lakewood Land Use Board. Lotano is also a land developer. He works for Lotano Development Inc., which specializes in commercial and residential property development.
Now, the New Jersey Office of Public Integrity & Accountability is allegedly looking into the matter. A spokesperson for the state last week, when asked about a possible criminal investigation, responded refused to comment on the matter.
Peter Aseltine, spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office responded, “No comment.”
The town had claimed the land sale was intended to raise revenue and to put the land back on the tax register. If developed, the land would generate annual revenue for the township, but why then would the township go to such great lengths to sell the property to a buyer who backed out of their high bid, then failed to produce the $10,000 deposit required to memorialize the sale?
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ – At every public access area along Island Beach, there’s a sign at the entrance that asks guests and visitors to stay on the predesignated trails and to stay off the dunes. There’s a good reason for it. The dune system is not only a sensitive environmental habitat but the dunes and dune grass protect both the barrier island and the mainland from coastal flooding during hurricanes and nor’easters.
We’re not sure if there are any such signs at the entrance to the governor’s mansion at the state park or along his private access trails.
According to the State of New Jersey, Island Beach is one of the few undeveloped Barrier Beach oped barrier beaches on the Atlantic coast. It has one of New Jersey’s largest osprey colonies, in addition to many other species of waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory birds. Today’s maritime vegetation is the same as it was hundreds of years ago. To accommodate recreation and to protect this natural vegetation, the park is divided into three management zones: the Northern Natural Area, the central recreation zone and the Southern Natural Area. The two natural areas contain 1,900 acres of sand dunes with coastal dune communities, tidal marshes, freshwater wetlands, designated trails and more than 200 species of plants. Public access to the Northern Natural Area is limited to the – ocean beach for fishing and walking. Picnicking, sunbath ing and fishing activities are allowed on the ocean beaches of the Southern Natural Area. Nature study is permitted throughout the park. Sand dunes are one of the park’s most precious resources, protecting the park and mainland from storm drive waves and tides. Visitors must stay off the sand storm-driven
dunes and should not disturb the vegetation.”
TOMS RIVER, NJ – Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once said, the most nine terrifying words that can be spoken in America are, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”
Now, thousands of New Jersey residents are receiving unsolicited phone calls saying just that.
You’re driving home from work and you get a phone call from an unknown number. What do you do?
According to Governor Phil Murphy, that call is one of his 1,500 contact tracers and only 20% of New Jersey residents are answering their calls. Like most other spam calls, they are being blocked and ignored.
Of the 80% remaining who do answer those calls, 50% don’t want to be bothered with Phil Murphy’s contact tracers, leaving a less than 40% success rate for the new system rolled out by Governor Murphy to tell people they were in contact with somebody who had COVID-19 and they should stay home.
“We continue to see a significant number of New Jerseyans refusing to cooperate with our contact tracers,” Murphy said. “Nearly 20% of the contacts aren’t answering the call, and nearly 50% of those who do answer the phone refuse to provide information to our contact tracers.”
Right now there are 1,529 people working as contact tracers for the state of New Jersey and they spend most of their day getting hung up, according to Murphy. That’s probably because most of New Jersey does not trust the state government or anything Governor Phil Murphy does.
“I’ve got to reiterate what we’ve said, Judy, several times. We’ve got to keep hitting on this point,” Murphy said on Friday. “It is incredibly important for everyone to take this seriously and to work with our contact tracers.”
Murphy and his criminal justice arm has been ruthless to people violating his hundred and fifty or so COVID-19 executive orders, but the governor says he’s not on a witch hunt to out people violating his declarations.
“Our contact tracers are not out on a witch hunt for any illegal activity like underage drinking, by the way, none of which we condone,” he said. “Their sole task, however, is to stop the spread of this virus and to save lives, period. Please answer the call and work with and be honest with the contact tracer who calls you.”
Ya, right? And the guy from India calling me to fix the virus on my computer just wants to increase my work productivity.
For Murphy, the show must go on.
“Over the past week, I am proud to note that we added 185 new contact tracers to our public health workforce, giving us an updated total of 1,529 tracers on the ground right now to help us fight the spread of this virus,” he said. “All but five counties, by the way, have now crossed our first benchmark of having at least 15 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents, and statewide there are more than 17 contact tracers per 100,000 residents. As I noted last week, our eventual goal is to have 30 contact tracers in place for every 100,000 residents. And it remains, by the way, Judy, an eye chart so this is one that’s best seen online as opposed to in our slides.”
BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ – Commercial fishermen never really know what they’re going to find when they pull up their nets, but Ocean County fisherman Timothy Brindley never expected what he found. Brindley and his crew of the Viking Rose were trawling out in the Atlantic Ocean just 2 1/2 miles off the coast of Barnegat Light when he saw a Great White Shark in his net as it was pulled out of the ocean.
Brindley said he’s pretty sure the shark was already dead and laying on the bottom of the ocean when he pulled it in.
“The thing smelled rotten and the skin was falling off the body,” Brindley said. “It was caught in my extension of the trawl. He said after pulling it on board to document he threw it back into the ocean.”
The shark was approximately ten to twelve feet in length. It’s the second time this summer that sharks made the news in LBI. In July sharks attacked a wounded dolphin in the surf just a few miles away. You can watch that video here.
Brindley said he was out fishing the waters of the Atlantic Ocean as he has done for 53 years. At the age of 17, he got his first boat. He works out of the Viking Village Commercial Fishing Dock on Long Beach Island which is home to over 40 commercial fishing boats.
Although he got ribbed by other fishermen for his story, Brindley said that doesn’t phase him at all.
“I’ve been fishing out of Barnegat Light for 42 years and never experienced anything like this,” Brindley said.
His boat, the Viking Rose is a 46 foot Wedge Port built in Nova Scotia. It will surely be a tale to pass on to future generations in his family. One thing is for sure, if you’re in water and it tastes or smells like salt, there’s probably a shark around you somewhere…maybe not a such a large great white, but the ocean is, after all, their home, not ours.
Scroll down to see more photos.
John Brooks Recovery Center unveils new state-of-the-art Residential Treatment Facility
The new Mays Landing facility features 48 short-term beds,
48 long-term beds and 24 detox beds for those suffering from substance use disorder.
Mays Landing, NJ – John Brooks Recovery Center hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to formally unveil its new state-of-the-art Residential Treatment Facility located at 1455 Pinewood Boulevard in Mays Landing on August 13. The new $15M facility features 48 short-term beds, 48 long-term beds and 24 detox beds.
The ceremony highlighted a host of guest speakers followed by a formal ribbon cutting and facility tours. Among those in attendance were Michael Santillo, CEO of JBRC; Harriet Weintrob, JBRC Board President; Alan Oberman, Retired JBRC CEO; Carole Johnson, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS); John Armato, Assemblyman; Mark Hopkins, Executive Director of New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority (NJHCFFA); Matthew J. Doherty, Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), and Eric Scheffler, Atlantic County Sheriff.
“This is a historic moment for John Brooks Recovery Center as we reflect on the progress that we have made over the last 50 years and focus on a hopeful future of helping even more individuals overcome substance use disorders,” said Santillo. “Our journey started in 1969 when John Brooks, an Atlantic City resident, former heroin addict and ex-con came to the realization that if he stopped using heroin, he’d stop going to prison. Shortly thereafter, he was inspired to start a small storefront outpatient program dedicated to helping individuals with substance use disorders.”
Originally called Narco, Inc., which later became the Institute for Human Development and eventually John Brooks Recovery Center, the nonprofit has since grown exponentially. “We now provide outpatient, intensive outpatient and opioid treatment with all three approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, 120 long-term residential beds, a jail program providing medication-assisted treatment counseling and we have expanded that program to include recovery support services and care coordination both in the jail and when people leave the jail,” Santillo said. “We also have two recovery community centers providing a full array of recovery support services, a recovery housing program and a primary care clinic, in total serving as many as 1,200 individuals.”
JBRC’s new residential treatment facility will expand its current continuum of care allowing the organization to serve even more people. “This facility will allow us to further our mission to provide the highest quality, evidence-based treatment in state-of-the-art facilities through a recovery-oriented care model, integrating primary care, behavioral health and recovery support services,” Santillo said.
Harriet Weintrob, JBRC Board President, has been connected to the agency for the last 40 years. “I can tell you treatment works,” she said. “I have met so many people who have gone through the program and it is just so rewarding. I know John [Brooks] is looking down in utter amazement and he would be so delighted to see just how far we have come.”
Alan Oberman, former JBRC CEO, remained project manager for this new residential facility following his retirement in February. “When I came here in 2004, there were literally broken, boarded up windows in our buildings located in Atlantic City. I knew that the future of this agency was not in those buildings. Our principal idea was that people, regardless of their financial needs who were struggling to achieve recovery, should be in nice places. And I don’t want to feel embarrassed if I had to send a family member there. And, by a miracle, we are here.”
Among the countless supporters mentioned, JBRC paid special tribute to its staff, as well as former Governor Chris Christie, current Governor Phil Murphy, former State Senator Jim Whelan, NJHFFA, CRDA, TD Bank, KDA Architects and McDonald Building Company. “These were the people who were always behind me and never gave up,” said Oberman said. “Building this place was a team effort. This has been an unbelievable opportunity I have been given and I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish here.”
Commissioner Johnson, a longtime advocate of JBRC, expressed that the opening of this facility is a testament to what the leadership of John Brooks really sees as the dignity and respect for the individuals it serves. “It is terrific to see the work we have done with John Brooks and the county in building models for medication-assisted treatment for the justice involved population,” she said. “The model built here [at John Brooks] in Atlantic County is something that we then went to the governor and worked with the legislature for additional funding for to mirror in towns across the state.”
Although it is unique to have a law enforcement officer at a treatment center, Sheriff Scheffler said it fills him with joy to partner with JBRC. “This is a beautiful facility and we are going to fill it up because my goal is to put 1,000 people into treatment off the streets in Atlantic County and we are definitely going to be a strong partner.”
During the ceremony, Assemblyman Armato presented JBRC with a proclamation from the NJ General Assembly in tribute to the nonprofit’s notorious efforts of its leaders and staff and extends sincere best wishes for continued success in all the years to come. “It started as a facility in 1969 and has grown into a model for the state and the country.”
“It took a lot to get here,” Santillo said. “And we are grateful to all those who came forward to provide us with funding to make this facility possible.
Mark Hopkins, Executive Director of the NJHCFFA, added, “to create a residential addiction facility for people who have too long been marginalized for the disease all too common is really heartwarming. For over 50 years, JBRC has quietly and selflessly given hope to the hopeless and saved thousands upon thousands of New Jersey lives as well as improved the quality of life to those who have received their services.”
To learn more about John Brooks Recovery Center, call 609-345-2020.
About John Brooks Recovery Center
Founded in 1969, John Brooks Recovery Center provides quality, individualized treatment services to help individuals overcome substance use disorders. Programs include: Residential, Outpatient, Medication Assisted Recovery and Inmate Re-entry. To learn more, visit jbrcnj.org or call 609-345-2020.
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Suggested photo caption:
JBRC celebrates the grand opening of its new Residential Treatment Facility in Mays Landing.
STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA – For the group of Antifa protesters who showed up at the Sturgis Bike Rally, it’s a good thing police weren’t defunded there.
The Sturgis Bike Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota wrapped up this weekend and a small handful of Antifa protesters decided to crash the party. At least, the thought they were going to crash the party. Facing thousands of screaming bikers chanting USA, flying American flags and Donald J. Trump gear, things got ugly for the kids from Antifa who needed a police escort, which probably saved their lives in the end. One protester who got testy with police was immediately taken down by officers who then escorted the protesters, mostly to save them from what could have happened if police weren’t there.
Video by Devise Travel. Go Check them out.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1294857320749568003
Sturgis is MAGA country! 👊🏼🇺🇸👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/A2jjE2RUUI
— Art TakingBack 🇺🇸 (@ArtValley818_) August 16, 2020
VENTURA COUNTY, CA – Firefighters battling wildfire ran into an unexpected guest who chased them off a mountain.
https://www.facebook.com/CBSLA/videos/324184302060002/
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – In an earlier report today we reported that a man was arrested for assaulting a 68-year-old man during a BLM march in Seaside Heights. A new video shared with Shore News Network today shows the man who got hit may have been the one who provoked the assault.
https://www.facebook.com/vivaLeViral/videos/1257277451284591/
At a Black Lives Matter march, which sported an Antifa flag of about two dozen people took place Saturday on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. During the protest, the group chanted “Black Lives Matter” through a loudspeaker as they walked up and down the boardwalk. At one point, according to Seaside Heights police, 28-year-old Jamal Holmes got into a verbal altercation with an unidentified 68-year-old man near Sherman Avenue and the Boardwalk. Police said Holmes punch the man in the face. He was arrested and charged with simple assault.
Now the new video released by witnesses this morning showed the man approached Holmes prior to the altercations.
“Take the mask off, you scumbag,” the man said to Holmes. It’s hard to tell what happened next, but the man appeared to reach out towards Holmes and the man appears to have been pushed in self-defense.
What led up to the altercation prior to the video is still missing. Eyewitnesses detail a much different story than the one being told by the Seaside Heights Police Department.
A witness said the man showed up with a bicycle and initially was yelling at Boaz Matlack who was leading the march. Two witnesses claim the man’s speech was slurred and he appeared intoxicated. After the man approached the group, Boaz said “Have a good day sir”, as part of the group’s ‘kill them with kindness’ method.
“The [man] had came to our march and began heckling us like many others did but what he did unlike others was get physical,” said Aaliyah Castro. “I’m a young woman and this old man was in my face screaming profanities and had spit on me.”
Castro said she’s upset that Holmes is being portrayed as the aggressor when he was approached unsolicited by the man.
“We had people with opposing opinions yell towards us all day, it was expected and its totally fine,” she said “After yelling at Boaz and the rest of us were marching past him is when he began yelling towards the small section of the crowd I was in and had the chance to get close enough to my face yelling that I was spit on.”
Castro said it was at that point was where the man decided to move toward the back of the small crowd where Holmes was at and it got physical.
“When he didn’t get a reaction from myself and the few around me is when he moved to Jamal and had swung at Jamal saying, “Get that f*cking mask off you face sc*mbag.”
Then, the man swung at Holmes which knocked his phone down and in the same motion, Jones pushed the man away and did not punch the man.
“The man was drunk, like I said he spit on me and smelled of alcohol, so when he was pushed for hitting someone he fell back and tripped on his bike,” Castro said. “In the video he can briefly be seen laying next to the basket of his bike after his fall.”