Morning News Digest: July 2, 2009

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Passaic County takes steps toward juvenile justice reform

The closing of the Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center in April was not just a cost-cutting measure. It was supposed to usher in a new era of juvenile justice in the county, one going beyond the “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” approach that has guided policy for decades. (Cowen, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/crimeandcourts/Passaic_County_takes_steps_toward_juvenile_justice_reform.html

Paramus administrator taking job in Passaic

Borough Administrator Anthony Iacono announced Wednesday that he is resigning to join a new administration in the City of Passaic. (Akin, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaicpolitics/Paramus_administrator_taking_job_in_Passaic.html

Schools for students with learning disabilities to remain open

Governor Corzine has agreed to abandon plans to close 18 regional schools the state operates for students with learning disabilities, under the amended contract members of the Communications Workers of America ratified Tuesday. (Livio, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/schools_tk.html

Corzine to get Obama's help in race

Hoping to sprinkle Gov. Jon Corzine with political stardust, President Obama will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey in two weeks. (Heininger, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1246515922264040.xml&coll=8

40% of Gloucester County schools still fail 'No Child Left Behind'

About 40 percent of Gloucester County schools where state tests were administered in the spring failed to meet the standards of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, according to figures released Wednesday by the state. (Beym, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1246515929264040.xml&coll=8

Mild quake rattles Salem County

A mild earthquake centered in Salem County rattled buildings on both sides of the Delaware River yesterday morning, but did no significant damage, according to officials. (Mucha, Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090702_Mild_quake_rattles_Salem_County.html

N.J. bill would put state in charge of monitoring troopers

A consent agreement allowing the Justice Department to monitor state police in New Jersey could be dissolved under a bill that would shift the responsibility to the state Attorney General's Office. (Hefler, Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090702_N_J__bill_would_put_state_in_charge_of_monitoring_troopers.html

Parking meter boost put on hold

A funny thing happened on the way to charging $3 per hour at the parking meter: Philadelphia decided it wasn't necessary. (Brennan, Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090702_Parking_meter_boost_put_on_hold.html

Corzine to get campaign visit from Obama

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is getting in-person campaign help from President Barack Obama as he tries to close the gap in polls that show him lagging behind in his re-election bid. (AP)

http://www.app.com/article/20090701/NEWS/90701117/-1/NEWS10/Corzine+to+get+campaign+visit+from+Obama

Residents seek recall of Beachwood mayor

Five residents in a recall committee against Mayor Ronald W. Jones Jr. have filed a legal notice today stating their intention to recall Jones. (Michels, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20090701/NEWS/90701061/-1/NEWS10/Residents+seek+recall+of+Beachwood+mayor

New Jersey municipalities boost budgets with virtual yard sales

We've got land. We've got old cars. We've got ancient computers, ping pong tables in excellent condition and even helicopters. And if you act within the next 30 minutes, you'll get a free gift - the thanks of already stretched New Jersey taxpayers. (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)

http://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/new_jersey/article_5a922768-66ab-11de-8b3f-001cc4c002e0.html

Long Beach Island gives late word of waste wash-up

A Long Beach Island health department official confirmed Wednesday that home medical waste, including 20 syringes, washed up along the island's beaches Sunday afternoon. (Weaver, Press of Atlantic City)

http://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/article_ee2d0f7a-66af-11de-b8b7-001cc4c002e0.html

Health clinics in Perth Amboy, New Brunswick to share more than $1M in federal funds

Two area medical health facilities — the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center in Perth Amboy and the Eric B. Chandler Health Center in New Brunswick — will be sharing in nearly $17 million in federal stimulus funds aimed at addressing facility and equipment needs and increasing access to health care for underserved populations. (Courier News)

http://mycentraljersey.com/article/20090701/NEWS/907010358/Health+clinics+in+Perth+Amboy++New+Brunswick+to+share+more+than++1M+in+federal+funds

Corzine signs bill, merging 3 Central Jersey no-school districts with larger, neighboring zones

The school districts in such New Jersey boroughs such as Rocky Hill, Millstone and Glen Gardner will be history by the time schools open in fall 2010 under a bill signed by the governor Tuesday. (AP)

http://mycentraljersey.com/article/20090701/NEWS/907010352/Corzine+signs+bill++merging+3+Central+Jersey+no-school+districts+with+larger++neighboring+zones

Evesham returns to GOP control

Three new council members took office here Tuesday night, returning Republican control to the governing body two years after a surprising upset by Democrats. (Smith, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090702/NEWS01/907020346

9 districts need improvement

Nine South Jersey school systems are among 39 statewide on a list of districts "in need of improvement" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. (Rothschild, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090702/NEWS01/907020349

Healy says challenge to Lopez is part of a pattern Jersey City Mayor

Jerramiah Healy today called former council candidate Jimmy King’s residency challenge to newly sworn in Councilwoman Nidia Rivera Lopez “sour grapes to the 10th power.” (Friedman, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/31125/healy-says-challenge-lopez-part-pattern

Blanco sworn-in by Corzine, celebrated by Menendez

Standing in the midst of a melting pot audience, with Latinos, Jews and African Americans dominant in a crowd that also contained a smattering of Italians and Indians, and probably sprinklings of just about everything else given Passaic and Passaic pride, School Board member Salim Patel requested a hand for the first Dominican-American mayor in the United States. (Pizarro, PoltiickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/max/31127/blanco-sworn-corzine-bucked-menendez

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.