New Jersey to Allow School Resource Officers to Work the Social Distancing Beat on Shore Beaches and Boardwalks

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON – As Shore resorts seek to augment their police forces with special officers for the busy summer season, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today issued guidance to law enforcement on a new expedited process that will allow special law enforcement officers who work in New Jersey’s schools to be re-designated to perform general law enforcement duties as seasonal law enforcement officers in other municipalities.

The guidance is designed to help municipalities address law enforcement staffing issues caused by COVID-19, especially in those municipalities that see an influx of visitors during the summer months. This action is the latest step taken by Attorney General Grewal and the Police Training Commission (PTC), which establishes statewide standards for police officers, to ease the burden on local law enforcement agencies during the pandemic.

“We knew law enforcement resources would be stretched to the limit by this pandemic, not only because of officers being ill or quarantined, but because of the many new responsibilities imposed by this unprecedented emergency,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Nonetheless, police across New Jersey have worked together, as they always do, to meet the challenges, and we are doing all that we can do at the state level to support their heroic efforts. I’m confident that the measures we have announced to address manpower issues – along with the recent re-opening of the police academies – will give our Shore communities the officers they need to ensure a safe and family-friendly summer season.”

State law allows municipalities to hire “special law enforcement officers” (SLEO), who can perform certain functions for a police department but lack the full authorities of a typical law enforcement officer. The law establishes three categories: SLEO I officers, who handle routine traffic details, spectator control, and similar duties; SLEO II officers, who have full arrest authority but generally work on a part-time or seasonal basis; and SLEO III officers, who provide security at schools.

Generally speaking, law enforcement agencies must obtain approval from the PTC to transfer an officer from one category of SLEO to another. Earlier this year, the PTC created a program to streamline the transfer process, so long as the SLEO remained working in the same town. Today’s guidance now makes it easier for SLEOs to transfer between municipalities as well, making it easier to deploy officers to the communities that need them most.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

NJ Attorney General: George Floyd’s Death Shows We have A Long Way to Go in Healing Nation’s Racial Divides

by Dinesh Patel May 29, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

TRENTON, NJ – George Floyd was killed while in police custody last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota but today, New Jersey Attrorney General Gurbir Grewal said the events unfolding in that state, some 1,200 miles northwest of Trenton highlights America’s racial divide.

“Today, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested Officer Derek Chauvin, taking an important first step in the search for justice following the tragic death of George Floyd. Like so many others, I was horrified by the footage of Mr. Floyd’s death, and I hope that law enforcement officials across the country continue to make clear that abusive police practices will not be tolerated,” Grewal said. “Mr. Floyd’s death reminds us that our country has a long way to go not only in healing our nation’s racial divides, but also in addressing the systemic and implicit biases that prevent all Americans from equally securing our country’s great promises. Now more than ever, we must redouble our commitment to building trust between law enforcement and the people they serve, especially those from historically marginalized communities.”

Here’s the rest of the Attorney General’s statement:

Here in New Jersey, we are absolutely committed to a criminal justice system that is fair, transparent, and free of bias.

This past December, we rolled out a sweeping set of statewide policy reforms, known as the Excellence in Policing Initiative, to promote the culture of professionalism, accountability, and transparency that are hallmarks of New Jersey’s best law enforcement agencies. But we must do more, and we are committed to working with our partners in law enforcement and the broader community to identify additional opportunities for improvement.

Unfortunately, there remain occasions where an officer uses violent force against civilians without justification. We condemn such actions, not simply because they are wrong, but also because they do a disservice to the vast majority of law enforcement officers committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession.

We also prosecute such cases criminally and through the police disciplinary process. As Attorney General, I oversee the investigation of use-of-force cases in this State, a role that makes me particularly sensitive to the difficulties of investigating and prosecuting such cases. My role as Attorney General also prevents them from commenting on individual cases, even where the publicly available information is horrifying and the conduct at issue unconscionable.

The residents of New Jersey should rest assured that we will never tolerate the types of police practices that resulted in Mr. Floyd’s death. As part of our Excellence in Policing Initiative, we created new mechanisms for reporting allegations of police misconduct, including a standardized reporting form that must be offered by every police department in New Jersey. We take police-misconduct allegations seriously, and we are committed to ensuring justice and accountability for every resident of this state.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

New Jersey News Schools

Phil Murphy Just Cut $700,000 More from Ocean County School Funding

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy just announced revised school funding allocations for school districts in Ocean County and some schools are losing. This comes as many districts have already finalized their 2020-2021 operating budget. Southern Regional and Central Regional were hit hardest with $203,985 and $187,044 in funding cuts, respectively. The already hard hit districts of Brick, Toms River and Jackson were spared in this latest round of cuts by the Murphy administration.

District	Original Funding	Revised Budget	Difference
Southern Regional	$2,800,453	$2,596,468	($203,985)
Central Regional	$4,561,165	$4,374,121	($187,044)
Berkeley Twp	$2,843,725	$2,727,481	($116,244)
Barnegat Twp	$20,695,898	$20,586,769	($109,129)
Lakewood Twp	$23,472,641	$23,391,251	($81,390)
Point Pleasant Beach	$601,295	$593,205	($8,090)
Long Beach Island	$710,369	$704,125	($6,244)
Island Heights Boro	$303,780	$301,155	($2,625)
Beach Haven Boro	$205,860	$203,437	($2,423)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

May 29, 2020 0 comments

US and World News

NY Post Reports “Armed Rednecks” Defend Businesses; Cut Out Armed Black Men Also Defending Businesses with Them

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

The New York Post on Thursday reported these two “armed rednecks” and “Two bearded men with long rifles strapped to their chests” menaced the city with their guns in part of some overall white vs. black narrative by reporter Lia Eustachewich. Either Eustachewich didn’t look deeper into the story, or she was looking for a good race-baiting headline, we’re not sure, but a quick two minutes of searching on social media proved this entire narrative by the mainstream media as false.

“A second armed man told the Minnesota Reformer he and his friend had been roaming the city to see which store owners needed help,” Eustachewich reported. The photo below shows the real story and the other men who were also defending their neighborhood. Two of those men are black men, but that doesn’t fit the liberal media narrative that rednecks are running around Minneapolis menacing and shooting at the protestors and looters destroying their city around them.

There is no race war, in fact, there’s racial unity in the city outside of the thugs protesting, looting and burning down their own neighborhoods.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News

Hundreds of New Jersey Restaurants Have Gone Under, Gopal to Murphy: Open Before It’s Too Late

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – Senate Majority Conference Leader Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) today joined the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association in calling on Governor Murphy to immediately lift the statewide prohibition on outdoor commercial dining and issue a concrete roadmap toward permitting indoor dining within the coming weeks.

“I stand with all the restaurateurs today who are making their voices heard. Out of respect in making sure this press conference by restaurants stays non-political, I will not attend but am issuing my strong support in this statement.

New Jersey’s restaurant industry has worked hard to promote social distancing in their kitchens, design plans for reopening, and find new ways to keep staff and customers safe from COVID-19. As the Governor’s recent executive order expanding outdoor gatherings shows, and as broad amounts of medical data have indicated, this virus is far less dangerous when it’s not confined by four walls and a ceiling. New Jersey is making real, measurable progress on expanding testing and implementing contact tracing, and once we lift the ban on outdoor dining, I strongly believe that we can keep our infection curve flattened by keeping clear social distancing safeguards in place.

“Hundreds of restaurants have already gone out of business, and it is clear that we must make real, swift moves forward to allow those remaining to open up before it’s too late. These small businesses deserve our support and guidance, and we cannot afford to let them wait any longer. I’ve previously called for municipalities to provide additional room for customers by allowing restaurants to use public spaces for outdoor dining; with the proper precautions, outdoor dining is one of our lowest-risk opportunities for reopening. Governor Murphy and the Department of Health have done important, life-saving work to break the back of this virus, but with New Jersey’s curve flattened and a robust testing apparatus in place, it is time for us to look toward recovery where it is safe to do so.”’

https://www.facebook.com/News12NJ/videos/184405956185050/

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News Cape May County News Community News

After Murphy Shuts Down Outdoor Drinking District, N. Wildwood Mayor Says: Open Up Now!

by Phil Stilton May 29, 2020

By: Phil Stilton

WILDWOOD, NJ – North Wildwood’s Mayor Patrick Rosenello had a great idea in light of a bad idea issued by Governor Phil Murphy. After Murphy allowed for the purchase of open liquor containers from bars and restaurants, Rosenello sought to put some kind of control on the executive order that had people in some shore towns using curbs as barstools. Rosenello designated certain spots in North Wildwood as public drinking zones where customers could buy alcohol from a bar and drink it nearby. The plan kept people from bringing open alcohol containers into their cars, as prohibited by state law and gave patrons a safe place to enjoy Memorial Day weekend together, out of the house.

After just one day, Murphy’s administration and the Cape May County Prosecutor shut it all down, even allegedly sending New Jersey State Police helicopters over the neighborhoods to ensure compliance.

Senator Michael Testa is calling on Senate President Steve Sweeney to join forces and take the necessary steps to fully open the Garden State economy.

“Our South Jersey restaurants are barely making ends meet. Last week, the Mayor of North Wildwood created a well-organized plan to allow community restaurants to open up and enjoy the beautiful weather,” said New Jersey State Senator Michael Testa. “What did our heavy handed Cape May County prosecutor do? He followed Gov. Murphy’s orders and shut down the plan. Then the governor’s administration had a helicopter monitor the city. Are we currently living in George Orwell’s 1984?”

In efforts to prevent alcohol on North Wildwood roads, Mayor Patrick Rosenello established designated areas for people to drink safely.

“This is about the economic collapse of the tourism industry, which is one of the largest industries in the State of New Jersey and the only industry for many parts of the State,” Mayor Rosenello said. “Senator Testa and I have been outspoken for weeks about this issue. The Governor received widespread support and buy-in from millions of people because we were told the shutdown was to stop our health care system from being overrun. That threat not only never materialized, hospitals are now actually laying people off because they have so little business. The ‘curve’ that we were all supposed to be working to ‘flatten’ is now about as flat as the economic heartbeat of this State. It is time to reopen.”

“I am calling on Senate Republicans and Democrats to reach across the aisle and stop the Governor’s economic disaster before we hit a cliff,” Testa said.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News Government News

Phil Murphy: I Have no Time for Transparent and Open Government During COVID-19 Pandemic

by Conservative Times May 29, 2020

By: Conservative Times

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy is seeking to hire an investigator to look into who is alerting the public to the inner workings of the New Jersey Department of Health. A leak became evident on Thursday when a Bergen Record asked Murphy about an internal conversation between the Department of Health and the Governor. That discussion was in reference to establishing a non-profit Public Health Institute in New Jersey.

“I understand that the Commissioner floated an idea with you to establish a nonprofit similar to a Public Health Institute that some states have, which can raise money and work around some of the government bureaucracy associated with procurement of supplies. What was your response to that, and is it something that’s on the table?” Dustin Racioppi asked.

“I’d be curious to know how you learned that, by the way. I like the idea, and Judy knows that,” the Governor responded. “To say this is a five-alarm fire I think would be the understatement of the century, in terms of getting the house fire out, but I like the idea and I think it’s an idea that has worked particularly well in some other states.”

Today, reporters asked the Governor if he supported the investigation, again catching Murphy off guard.

“Look, people leaking things and giving the outside world some sense of how the sausage is made, I got no time for that and that’s gotta stop,” Murphy said. “We’re going through stuff we’ve never gone through before and the last thing we need are people speaking out of school about it. Frankly, enough already and let’s move on.”

May 29, 2020 0 comments

New Jersey News

Phil Murphy Continues to Ignore Small Businesses In New Jersey in Daily Briefing

by Conservative Times May 29, 2020

By: Conservative Times

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy today announced more steps in his plan to reopen New Jersey, including offering daycare services for first responders, youth sports and summer camps, but he completely ignored the plight of tens of thousands of small businesses ready to go underwater. Last night, Murphy vetoed a bill in the Senate that would have provided small businesses with rent relief from landlords as businesses are now faced with their third rental payment in as many months as being shut down.

Now, for three months, those businesses are paying landlords thousands of dollars for space they can’t use with money they haven’t made. While many industries have clear plans for progressing and reopening, campgrounds, daycare, sports, horse racing and others, the average brick and mortar small business has yet to receive any guidance from the governor’s office or any plan. Nearly one thousand business owners in a coalition have threatened to reopen on Monday, June 1st if the Governor did not offer any plan to reopen before then.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Community News New Jersey News Sports

Murphy’s Weird Science: Daycare Opens June 15th; Outdoor Youth Sports June 22nd

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – The Phil Murphy show continued today with more weird science by the Governor. Murphy, who has been stressing the point that COVID-19 is 19 times more contagious indoors than outdoors, today said inside daycare facilities can open on June 15th. In the same breath, Murphy said outdoor youth sports such as baseball, softball, and soccer can resume the following week. Childcare centers will be able to reopen their doors on June 15th, Murphy told the state today. New health and safety standards for childcare centers will be released later today.

“Activities will be limited to sports activities outdoors and no contact activity,” Murphy said. “We’re proud to take this step.”

Murphy said he worked tirelessly with youth sports operators to make his decision.

Youth summer camps will be allowed to be opened in July. The Department of Health will be releasing safety standards that will govern what summer youth sports will look like.

Photo by Keith Johnston on Unsplash

May 29, 2020 0 comments

US and World News

Firefighter, Black Business Owner Finds Out Looters Burned His Bar to the Ground, Stole His American Dream

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Before another person says the looting and rioting going on in Minneapolis has anything to do with improving the situation for black Americans or justice for the murder of George Floyd, here’s the truth, it’s not. This is evidenced by the burning and looting of the Scores Sports Bar in the city that was looted, vandalized, and destroyed. Scores Sports Bar was set for a grand opening this spring but when COVID-19 hit that was put on pause. Now, just as Scores was gearing up to welcome customers with updated guidelines from the governor, George Floyd was murdered and everything changed overnight.

Scores Sports Bar fell victim to looters Wednesday night. This black-owned business is left trying to pick up the pieces amidst mourning with the community.

Kb Balla & his wife Twyana are active members of their community. KB is a firefighter with the Brooklyn Center Fire Department and Twyana was a member of the Sounds of Blackness. They have four beautiful children and the toll of this entire situation is heavy. KB has been a community entrepreneur for decades and coaches and contributes to the community in which they live.

“I have been an entrepreneur in the State of Minnesota for many years, and my community really showed their love in the rawest form. Many of you know that Scores Sports Bar was my DREAM. It was all coming together and when COVID-19 hit, the reality of not being able to open for a grand opening was difficult,” Balla said. “With the help of my family and friends, I pushed through. To find out that the countless hours, hard work, late nights away from my kids, and family had all been for nothing was soul-shattering. It is not the material things, more so the time that cannot be reclaimed.”

That day the bar was looted and vandalized.

“While filming for CNN, people came in trying to steal the safe and I wondered what next? My community, that’s what. Strangers showed up with brooms, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and food. They helped me and my family clean up in 20minutes what would have took days,” he said.

The next morning, Balla was working his shift as a firefighter when his station got the call that his building was burned to the ground.

“I was doing my shift at the fire station this morning when I got the call that the entire building had been burnt down last night. My heart was heavy, and I had to leave work because the emotional toll was too substantial,” Balla said.

Now, the community has rallied behind Balla and his family and he has raised over $100,000 through a GoFundMe to help him rebuild his American Dream that was looted, vandalized and burned down in the name of justice.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

MIsc. News

Straight Talk With Joe Rullo: What’s Happening In Minneapolis is a Travesty

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In Minneapolis, we’ve seen things that are embarrassing to America. As if the alleged murder of a black man by four police officers wasn’t bad enough, now business owners are losing their businesses and people are looting and destroying their own city. This is also unacceptable. This is not Christmas, a man died. It doesn’t give people the excuse to loot, rob and burn down buildings owned by Americans who had nothing to do with what the police officers did.

https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/262920345062690/?v=262920345062690

May 29, 2020 0 comments

US and World News

CNN Camera Crew Arrested on Live TV After Defying Police Order to Relocate

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – (VIA GUARDIAN US) – CNN has reported that its correspondent Omar Jimenez, producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez have been released from police custody after they were arrested in Minneapolis live on air. The camera crew was told to move by police and didn’t.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News Community News

Outdoor Restaurant Dining Coming to Toms River, Pending Murphy Approval

by Phil Stilton May 29, 2020

By: Phil Stilton

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Township Council has approved a resolution that would allow for temporary outdoor dining during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The ordinance amends the township land-use code to allow for special event applications to allow for outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas and benches for food establishments. The $100 permit fee is waived. The policy will take effect when permitted by Executive Order of the Governor.

Toms River Councilman Daniel Rodrick voted in favor of the ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting. “I am proud to support our town’s small businesses and restaurants, many who have been struggling with closures during the pandemic. This resolution will allow them to have a solid head start once the Governor lifts the restrictions on these businesses and allows outdoor dining, which could be in the very near future,” Rodrick said.

“I have full faith in our business community that they will act responsibly under whatever guidelines are set by the Governor during this time regarding social distancing requirements,” Rodrick added.

Ocean County’s Board of Chosen Freeholders has been trying to push the process along within the Murphy administration to allow small businesses to reopen.

Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, who operates a small business in Eagleswood Township, said it’s time for the state to open other small businesses. His hardware store has remained open during the pandemic as allowed by the state’s executive order.

“During the closure, small businesses still have to pay rent or mortgages,” he said. “The state has been showing flexibility allowing more businesses to open. Now is the time to move forward safely allowing small businesses to open.”

Freeholder Joseph Vicari, during the pandemic, has also been an advocate for county restaurants and businesses to reopen.

This week, Mayor John Ducey announced a similar plan to allow restaurants to reopen in Brick Township.

“All applications will be reviewed by our Township staff,” said Toms River Council President Maruca.

You can view the permit application here.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Community News Ocean County News

MV Silveri & Sons Donates Food to Help Feed Those In Need in Toms River

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Police Department’s EMS IAFF Local 4846 and MV Silveri and Sons pitched in on Friday with a substantial donation so volunteers can continue keeping those struggling families in Ocean County fed. Boxes of food are lined up for the needy at Citta Elementary School, Walnut Elementary School, East Dover Elementary School, South Toms River Elementary School and at the 3rd Avenue parking lot in Ortley Beach.

As food pantries and agencies such as Fulfill continue to provide meals for those who can no longer afford to feed their families, the small business shut down continues across the state. Earlier this morning, Governor Phil Murphy hinted that might change soon, but for some who have lost their jobs and even their small businesses, it may come too late.

No registration or sign-ups are required. Food kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until 12:30 pm on Friday.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

MIsc. News

Straight Talk with Joe Rullo: Under Murphy, Prisoners Were Set Free, Veterans Left to Die in State Homes

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

WOODLAND, NJ – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, the state’s prison population was given get out of jail free cards by Governor Murphy while our nation’s aging veterans were given death sentences in state-run veterans care facilities. What’s going on in these nursing homes is unconscionable. This is a failure by our governor. Prisoners put first to our most vulnerable veterans in nursing homes 53% of COVID19 deaths and New Lisbon developmental centers for developmentally disabled. Complete dereliction of duty and utter negligence.

https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/1377196745804251/

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Politics

Trump Executive Order Blocks Social Media Companies from Censoring Political Free Speech

by Conservative Times May 29, 2020

By: Conservative Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald J. Trump today signed an executive order seeking to limit social media corporations’ ability to censor free speech. The move comes after Twitter fact-check a political statement made by the President. Trump found an unlikely ally in the form of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

“I just believe strongly that Facebook shouldn’t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online,” Zuckerberg said. “Political speech is one of the most sensitive parts in a democracy, and people should be able to see what politicians say.”

“Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy. Our Founding Fathers protected this sacred right with the First Amendment to the Constitution. The freedom to express and debate ideas is the foundation for all of our rights as a free people,” Trump’s order said. “Did Twitter censor Obama when he said everyone can keep their health plan?”

Here’s the rest of the executive order:

In a country that has long cherished the freedom of expression, we cannot allow a limited number of online platforms to hand pick the speech that Americans may access and convey on the internet. This practice is fundamentally un-American and anti-democratic. When large, powerful social media companies censor opinions with which they disagree, they exercise a dangerous power. They cease functioning as passive bulletin boards, and ought to be viewed and treated as content creators.

The growth of online platforms in recent years raises important questions about applying the ideals of the First Amendment to modern communications technology. Today, many Americans follow the news, stay in touch with friends and family, and share their views on current events through social media and other online platforms. As a result, these platforms function in many ways as a 21st century equivalent of the public square.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube wield immense, if not unprecedented, power to shape the interpretation of public events; to censor, delete, or disappear information; and to control what people see or do not see.

As President, I have made clear my commitment to free and open debate on the internet. Such debate is just as important online as it is in our universities, our town halls, and our homes. It is essential to sustaining our democracy.

Online platforms are engaging in selective censorship that is harming our national discourse. Tens of thousands of Americans have reported, among other troubling behaviors, online platforms “flagging” content as inappropriate, even though it does not violate any stated terms of service; making unannounced and unexplained changes to company policies that have the effect of disfavoring certain viewpoints; and deleting content and entire accounts with no warning, no rationale, and no recourse.

Twitter now selectively decides to place a warning label on certain tweets in a manner that clearly reflects political bias. As has been reported, Twitter seems never to have placed such a label on another politician’s tweet. As recently as last week, Representative Adam Schiff was continuing to mislead his followers by peddling the long-disproved Russian Collusion Hoax, and Twitter did not flag those tweets. Unsurprisingly, its officer in charge of so-called ‘Site Integrity’ has flaunted his political bias in his own tweets.

At the same time online platforms are invoking inconsistent, irrational, and groundless justifications to censor or otherwise restrict Americans’ speech here at home, several online platforms are profiting from and promoting the aggression and disinformation spread by foreign governments like China. One United States company, for example, created a search engine for the Chinese Communist Party that would have blacklisted searches for “human rights,” hid data unfavorable to the Chinese Communist Party, and tracked users determined appropriate for surveillance. It also established research partnerships in China that provide direct benefits to the Chinese military. Other companies have accepted advertisements paid for by the Chinese government that spread false information about China’s mass imprisonment of religious minorities, thereby enabling these abuses of human rights. They have also amplified China’s propaganda abroad, including by allowing Chinese government officials to use their platforms to spread misinformation regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to undermine pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

As a Nation, we must foster and protect diverse viewpoints in today’s digital communications environment where all Americans can and should have a voice. We must seek transparency and accountability from online platforms, and encourage standards and tools to protect and preserve the integrity and openness of American discourse and freedom of expression.

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News Community News New Jersey News

Murphy Warns June 1st Business Protesters: You’re Playing With Fire

by Breaking Local News Report May 29, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday was asked if he was aware of a plan by approximately 1,000 small business owners to open on June 1st regardless of his decision and he said those business owners are playing with fire.

To date, Murphy’s administration has demanded local law enforcement to enforce strict compliance with his small business lockdown. In some cases, owners are being fined, others have been threatened with losing their state license to operate. Many of the businesses in the protest include gyms, salons, and barbershops.

“Listen, salons and gyms, first of all, let me say something that the compliance has been overwhelming, not just by the individuals who have stayed home, working from home, done the face coverings, washed their hands with soap, we wouldn’t be where we are if it hadn’t been an extraordinary individual effort. But it’s also been extraordinary compliance by the business community, particularly the small business community. So for every one owner who wants to do X, there are a gazillion multiples of those who are doing Y and doing the right thing,” Murphy said. “I can’t speak to this specific group. I hope folks will understand the rationale, the intensity of the potential of infection indoors, and the steps that have to be taken. I would just say to folks, you’re playing with fire. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it. But it has to be done the right way and at the right time, and I think we’re going to, if you bear with us over the next few days, we’ll give some more guidance on that.”

The organizer of that rally, Tommy Trilivas, said today, the Murphy administration is keeping a close eye on the protest and a Facebook page run by Trivilas

“[Murphy] touched base on everything I made a video about yesterday,” Trivalis said. “Dates, explanations of why dates are not given, and when the reporter brought this group up specifically he did not have that same hostile tone he normally has because he knows we have been asking to work with him and not have to defy the order. We have made efforts to put a safety protocol together, and i really hope he understands that people are sticking to the plan of opening up on June 1 because people are not going to take a projected date that can be backed out on.”

Trivalis said business owners in New Jersey are on the brink of destruction and this weekend brings another rent check due to their landlord. Today, Murphy vetoed a bill that would provide small business owners rent relief in favor of protecting the interests of the landlords.

“People are at the end of the rope here and now its time for you to trust that we will do the right things to make a safe environment for our customers,” he added. “No one is interested in having us go in the other direction and be in a situation of having to shut down again! The ball has always been in your court Mr. Gov you are calling the shots from day one and we have all complied, we are just reacting accordingly to your next moves.”

Trivalis said his group is asking the governor for a small-business reopening opening of June 7th.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

May 29, 2020 0 comments

Business News Community News

Murphy Vetoes Bill That Could Have Saved Thousands of Shut Down Small Businesses From Eviction

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy today crushed any hope small businesses would have had with putting off their unpaid rent for their commercial space while being forced out of business by the small business shutdown. Senate Bill No. 2363 was passed by the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, but it died on Murphy’s desk today. This bill would authorize a “distressed small business tenant” to suspend payments of rent following the issuance of a “rent suspension executive order.” The bill would have defined a distressed small business tenant as a business that had 50 or fewer employees on February 10, 2020, that leases real property for non-residential purposes, and whose monthly revenue does not exceed 80 percent of the tenant’s “reasonable expectations” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a nutshell, Murphy sided with the landlords.

The rent suspension executive order would specify the duration of the suspension, which could not exceed three months, and identify a repayment schedule of between six to nine months, which would begin on the first day of the second month after the COVID-19 emergency is lifted.

A commercial landlord would have been prohibited from evicting a distressed small business asserting an emergency rent suspension consistent with the executive order. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on small businesses throughout the country and here in New Jersey.

Murphy told small businesses they are the anchor of the financial resurgence in New Jersey, but too bad if you can’t make it through his forced shut down.

“Our small businesses are not only the storefront shops that anchor Main Street, they are also the engines of our State’s economy, responsible for creating jobs and spurring economic growth. Small businesses will fuel New Jersey’s resurgence when the COVID-19 pandemic is over,” Murphy said. “While I share the sponsors’ concern for the viability of our state’s small businesses, I am concerned that the approach contemplated in this bill fails to fully consider the financial impact that an emergency rent suspension would have on our non-residential property owners who are, in many cases, themselves small businesses.”

The bill would have allowed any business that meets the definition of a distressed small business tenant to assert a right to an emergency rent suspension, regardless of whether the business is capable of making its rent payments.

“The bill disregards the financial position of the impacted parties, shifting the financial burden in all cases from tenants onto property owners, who may not be relieved of their own obligations to pay mortgage payments and property taxes.”

Instead, Murphy ordered the Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to provide grants during periods of emergency. So far, those grants have paid most businesses who applied between $2,000 and $4,000 in funding, barely enough for one month’s rent in most cases.

Photo by Jason Mowry on Unsplash

May 28, 2020 0 comments

MIsc. News

Murphy Vetoes Holzapfel Bill to Afford First Responders Job Protection

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ – A bill sponsored by New Jersey Assemblyman James Holzapfel that would extend job protection for employees who fail to report to work during a state of emergency was vetoed by Governor Phil Murphy today.

Holzapfel’s bill would prohibit an employer from terminating, dismissing, or suspending an employee who fails to report to work because the employee is serving as an emergency medical responder during a state of emergency.

In order for an employee to obtain the job protections outlined in the bill, the employee would be required to provide their employer with at least an hour’s notice and, upon returning to employment, documentation demonstrating that the employee was engaged in, and necessary for, the rendering of emergency medical services. Although the bill would apply broadly to all employers, it specifically would prohibit law enforcement and fire departments from limiting the ability of first responders to serve as medical responders during an emergency.

“I commend the bill’s sponsors for their efforts to ensure that our emergency medical responders are not jeopardizing other employment when they are called upon to serve their communities. Our emergency medical responders are on the frontlines of the State’s COVID-19 response,” Murphy said as he vetoed the legislation. “When they are needed in times of crisis, they should have full confidence that they will not be fired or penalized because of their time away from work.”

Murphy said a current law exists to protect employees and he would prefer to see that law updated instead to include first responders.

“Importantly, current law already provides protections for volunteer emergency responders during states of emergency. P.L.2009, c.202 prohibits an employer from terminating, dismissing or suspending an employee for failing to report to work because the employee is serving as a volunteer emergency responder during 2 a state of emergency declared by the President or the Governor, or because the employee is actively engaged in responding to an emergency alarm,” Murphy said “The law’s protections extend to active members of a volunteer fire company, volunteers of a first aid, rescue or ambulance squad, and members of any county or municipal volunteer Office of Emergency Management whose duties include responding to a fire or emergency call. The law contains notice and documentation requirements identical to those outlined in Senate Bill No. 2351.”

Murphy said while this bill would support the staffing levels of emergency medical responders, it would do so at the expense of law enforcement and fire departments. The work ranks of police and corrections have been ravaged by the COVID-19 virus.

“I am particularly concerned about how this bill could exacerbate staffing shortages that may result if New Jersey is hit by a second wave of the virus in the fall or winter,” Murphy said. “Moreover, because the bill is not limited to the COVID-19 emergency, I am concerned about the unintended consequences it could have on the State’s ability to effectively respond to the unique challenges and circumstances presented by future public health emergencies and states of emergency.”

May 28, 2020 0 comments

Community News

Murphy’s Weird Science: COVID-19 Exposure 19 Times More Likely Indoors than Outdoors, So Stay Indoors

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy today said the chances of risk of COVID-19 infection is 19 times higher indoors than it is outdoors. This news was delivered by the governor after he just had his entire state locked inside for the past 60 plus days. Murphy said this as “STAY AT HOME” was highlighted below the table as he was speaking. Remember folks, this is all based on science. The disease is more likely to spread indoors, so the governor is advising you to stay indoors until the numbers get better.

We’re not sure what his interpreter is saying here, but we have an idea.

“The chances of risk of whether it’s an infection or a droplet hitting you are 19 times more indoors than out of doors,” Murphy said. “Which is another reason folks why we are being very, very careful, exceeding careful on indoor sedentary, lacking ventilation realities.”

May 28, 2020 0 comments

Viral News

Urban Digital Art Project Making a Wave Around the World

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – D’strict, a South Korean digital solutions company is making waves this week after unveiling their latest work, “Public Media Art #, Wave”. The company which has mastered the art of digital effects and illusions is now getting notoriety for their achievement. This isn’t the first time D’strict wow’d the world. They have created several stunning visual arts concepts for advertising, marketing and entertainment in the past. The company is one of the pioneers of outdoor digital effects and displays.

“District is a design company that designs innovative space-based user experiences (UX) through content creation using digital media technology . District, which has changed its flagship business in response to changes in various digital media technologies since its establishment in 2004, has launched a world’s first digital theme park, “LIVE PARK” in 2012, and has a new concept of entertainment based on content (IP) on a specific theme. We are carrying out the “Digital Theme Park” business that realizes space and the “Digital eXperience Design” business that provides innovative spatial experiences for HIGH-END real estate and brands,” the company said.

https://www.facebook.com/DstrictHoldings/videos/269967084188051/

May 28, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter

Insane Dash Cam Footage Shows How A Simple DUI Check Nearly Turned Deadly for Police Officers in 2017

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA – A 2017 incident involving Pennsylvania State Troopers and a DUI suspect went from routine to nearly fatal in a matter of seconds for investigating officers. The event was caught on a police dash cam video showing Troopers Cp. Seth Kelly and Ryan Seiple conducting a routine traffic stop on Route 33, just north of the city of Bethlehem. At one point, suspect Daniel Cleary stopped becoming cooperative with the officers and grabbed for their guns. After a scuffle, Cleary went into his car grabbed a gun and began shooting at the officers.

Before the incident, Cleary had failed three of the officers’ field sobriety tests.

Officers used a taser against Cleary, but it didn’t work. Trooper Kelly was hit by a round fired by Cleary’s gun, and applied a tourniquet to his leg to stop the bleeding. In 2018, Cleary was convicted by a jury after watching this video. Daniel Cleary is now in prison and could be there for the rest of his life after receiving a 53 to 110 year sentence.

The video highlights the grave danger police officers encounter on a daily basis and why sometimes, officers’ tensions are high once a subject begins resisting arrest.

https://www.facebook.com/angel.cruz.1023/videos/3222669881160759/

May 28, 2020 0 comments

Business News

Staten Island Tanning Salon Threatened with Loss of License, Permanent Closure for Defying DeBlasio

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Staten Island business owner Bobby Catone, owner of Sunbelievable tanning salon in Staten Island has been shut down by Mayor Bill DeBlasio this morning.
“My lawyers decided to take the summons, by the Mayor’s health department,” Catone told a crowd of supporters today. Catone said that his business is already experiencing enough financial distress and complied with the order to shut down.

“I can’t afford to lose my license,” he said. Here’s a video published to Facebook today by the Staten Island Advance.

https://www.facebook.com/statenislandadvance/videos/1862465057216730/

May 28, 2020 0 comments

Health and Wellness New Jersey News

Letter: Front Line Nurses Fighting COVID-19 Now Fighting for their Jobs

by Breaking Local News Report May 28, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

Dear, New Jersey,

We are the nurses who have taken care of you or your loved ones during CoVid and throughout every other crisis; we did so willingly despite the danger it presented in our own lives. We lost some of our colleagues to CoVid, but we still continued to show up to work every day because of you. We were there because your lives matter and that means our jobs must be done. However, our contract with HMH is up in just a few days and they finally sent us their economic proposals today. Read through them yourself and you’ll understand that the message is clear: we are not valued at all by HMH despite all of our sacrifices throughout this.

What we want is simple. We are asking that you stand up for us and help us in this fight. Just as you need us, we now need you. Please join us in this fight by sharing this status and contacting the people in power who can help us. Don’t allow them to destroy everything we have worked so hard to build because we have done so in order to provide the best care possible to all of you.

Today, HMH proposed the following changes to our contract. Please note that this is not a complete list. Since we received these proposals late, the bargaining committee is going to spend the evening going over every detail. Proposals by HMH are as follows.

Raises that are unequal to the raises of nurses at all of the other facilities that they “harmonized pay for”, including less money for new nurses. Starting rate for new hires about $4/hour less than offered at OMC, Riverview and other non-union HMH hospitals nearby.
No float districts. All nurses can be floated to any unit. That means that they could send a NICU nurse to the MICU to take care of adults if they so choose. Technically because I have PALS, they could send me to peds when I haven’t taken care of a single child since nursing school. Also they want elimination of all rules around floating, including no floating for less than 1 year and no floating for more than 10 years. That means a brand new nurse could be floated to critical care…that’s terrifying. I’ve worked somewhere where we were a skeleton staff and floated all over. It’s tough, and it’s dangerous.
Elimination of the open shift and extra shift program. No incentives for extra shifts/overtime shifts. Elimination of critical shift bonus. This is literally the only way we are able to get fully staffed because people pick up these shifts for extra money. No one will work these incredibly short-staffed shifts otherwise.
No limit on the duties that a nurse must perform, forcing every nurse to take the work of other crucial staff in the hospital such as EVS, transport, etc.
Disbanding the float pool as we know it. Float pool differentials (updated to add: they have offered a small amount for floating that the float pool would not accept because let’s face it, their job is tough) and only a small core of per diem nurses to be utilized as coverage. We nurses who don’t have a ton of years under our belts rely on the float pool to cover our denied PTO (and it’s always denied) or we get no vacation yearly. We rely on them to fill the 100 positions we have open in our hospital. We cannot work without a float pool.
No BSN certification extra pay. It’s all into income, whether you have your BSN or not. Currently, I make $1.50 extra per hour to have my BSN and everyone is required to get theirs due to the magnet status.
Convert hourly certification differential to a $2500 bonus. This is paid at $2.00/hr currently and $0.75 for the second certification. As a bonus, they get to write it off and we have to pay 40% taxes on it so we lose money.
A 30-year pay scale that will not improve the wages of nurses with more experience and does not take any international experience into account. You’re essentially being told you’re not worth anything extra if you have more experience. It’s like they’re trying to force early retirement to save money on hiring new grads.
Rollbacks on all Health Insurance protections we won in the last contract. I rely on affordable health insurance to make up for our horrible pay. It’s truly shameful what I make per hour.
Elimination of the CARE program. This program gives us up to $5 extra an hour for helping to maintain our Magnet status and it is a lot of work.

We support the public and now more than ever, we need you to support us.

Signed,

A New Jersey Nurse

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

May 28, 2020 0 comments

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