Corzine officially nominates Raber, Raritan shoving match, Booker campaigns for Cunningham, Corzine will sign dual office holding ban, 40 threats against Corzine, EPA stops water quality testing at the shore, Codey intercedes in psychiatric hospital dispute, East Hanover Councilman resigns.

OLIVER WENDELL RABNER

“When he was a first-year student at Harvard Law School, Stuart Rabner studied a New Jersey Supreme Court case that was the first in the nation to extend consumer protections to those who bought cars that turned out to be lemons.

His professor talked about the special "sparkle" of the court. Rabner, who grew up in Passaic County, recalled feeling so proud at that moment to be a New Jerseyan.

Now he is about to lead that very court.

Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday nominated Rabner, now state attorney general, to be chief justice of the state's highest court. At a Statehouse news conference, Corzine also introduced his choice for Rabner's replacement: Anne Milgram, the first assistant attorney general.

I am humbled by the responsibility that might lie ahead," said Rabner, who now lives in Caldwell.” (Coscarelli and Hepp, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181017764176330.xml&coll=1

KARROW IN SHOVING INCIDENT

RARITAN TWP. | A scuffle Sunday night between Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow and Raritan Township Committeewoman Chris Harcar resulted in a call to police, a sprained arm and assault allegations.

Karrow claims Harcar showed up uninvited to Kuhl Corporation, where she was making preprimary phone calls and then assaulted her when asked to leave.

Harcar told police Karrow shoved her twice while trying to grab a phone script out of her hands. Neither had filed charges by Monday evening.” (Eilenberger, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1181016652117190.xml&coll=2

BOOKER SUPPORTS CUNNINGHAM BECAUSE HE LIKED HER HUSBAND

Sandy versus Lou. Stack versus Vega - and the "machine."

It all wraps up today following a furious bit of last-minute campaigning.

Sandra Bolden Cunningham, running for the Democratic nomination for state Senate in the 31st District against Assemblyman Louis Manzo, rolled out a big gun yesterday.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker joined her and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy at a senior citizens center and then strolled the neighborhood.

"I've known Sandy Cunningham for years through her husband," said Booker, referring to the late Jersey City Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham. "I know where her heart is, but more importantly where her head is.” (Thorbourne, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181026888311830.xml&coll=3

 

CORZINE’S PRESSER

“Gov. Jon Corzine said yesterday he'll probably sign a bill that outlaws holding more than one elected office, even though the latest measure won't apply to current legislators.

During a wide-ranging news conference at the Statehouse, Corzine also said he would fight in court to keep private all e-mail exchanges between he and union leader Carla Katz, despite an ethics panel report that acknowledges the exchanges discussed state business and not just personal matters…………..

"I'm not saying this is what I would want in an ideal world," Corzine said. "I also believe in the practicality of, you've got to have the votes (to pass the bill)." (Howlet, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181018159176330.xml&coll=1

CORZINE HAS RECEIVED 40 THREATS. AND THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE THE ONES FROM DEMOCRAT COUNTY CHAIRMEN

“Gov. Corzine has received 40 threats since being sworn in to office 17 months ago, and at least one was potentially serious enough for state police to stall the governor's arrival at an event………………

Although the number of threats against Corzine is not unusual for a high-profile person, according to the head of the state police, the threats are serious nonetheless, with some people threatening to physically hurt Corzine…………….

Though all threats to date have turned out to be benign, state police said, there have been some scares. Such as the time someone slipped a resume under Corzine's apartment door in Hoboken.

However, a couple of the threats have come from people who had no idea their behavior would trigger concern for the governor's safety.

Corzine's chief of staff, Tom Shea, is notified whenever there is a threat against Corzine. It's not clear whether Corzine is also told.” (Delli Santi, AP)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070605_State_police_say_40_threats_made_against_Corzine_At_least_one_forced_a_change_in_his_schedule__The_disclosure_came_during_a_review_of_his_accident_.html

OBVIOUSLY THEY’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SEASIDE HEIGHTS

“State environmental officials joined a chorus of critics yesterday in blasting a plan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cancel water quality testing at the Jersey Shore this summer.

Federal officials downplayed the controversy, saying they had advised state officials they were pulling the plug on a test they said wasn't getting the job done. They pledged to add new tests next year that would be a better gauge of pollution.”

Environmentalists were outraged, however, that the familiar EPA helicopter that has hovered over the shoreline for 30 years and sampled water to test dissolved oxygen levels would be missing this summer. The test can predict potential fish kills and warn of harmful algal blooms………….

EPA officials said they are ending the sampling because they're moving toward implementing other tests that will be more meaningful to evaluating the health of the ocean.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) said he wasn't satisfied with that answer. He is seeking a meeting with EPA officials to discuss why the program is important to New Jersey, which has struggled for years with oxygen-depleted ocean water.

"We want this reversed. We want to go back to the testing," Pallone said. "If they want to do something next year that's better or all encompassing so we can get at the source, that's fine. We're certainly open to that. We love to see improvements. But ... we want to build on what we have." (Spoto, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181017869176330.xml&coll=1

CODEY’S ON IT

“State Senate President Richard Codey, long an advocate for patients at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, wants the state's mental health chief to personally intercede in a battle between state bureaucrats and the hospital's board of trustees.

At issue is whether the new Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, a $190 million state facility to open in Parsippany this fall, should include a separate patients' canteen/recreation center outside the walls of the new hospital………..

Codey (D-Essex) met last week with state Human Services Assistant Commissioner Kevin Martone, who oversees mental health issues, and asked him to meet with the patient advocates.

"I want Kevin to hear the opinions of the trustees and the patients' families and the hospital's psychiatrists and psychologists before forming an opinion," said Codey. "I want to see if some kind of compromise can be worked out, something that might satisfy both parties.

"But, of course, the needs of the patients come first.” (Ragonese, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181017732176330.xml&coll=1

 

PERSONAL REASONS? RIGHT….

“EAST HANOVER -- Councilman Thomas Vitiello has resigned from the township council, Mayor William Agnellino said Monday.

In a letter addressed to Agnellino, Vitiello cited personal and business reasons for leaving the council, the mayor said.

Vitiello was recently sued by Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey, the latest in a line of legal problems for the councilman. Cerebral Palsy, which runs two schools for children with disabilities, filed suit in April, claiming that Vitiello's construction company, The Thomas Group, failed to pay subcontractors, and left the nonprofit organization with an unfinished therapy pool.” (Padmanabhan, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/COMMUNITIES14/706050355/1203/NEWS01

"I don't see that in my future," Vitiello said of facing criminal charges. "We're actively in negotiations with Cerebral Palsy to put this all behind us, and we expect that this will all be behind us within one to two weeks." (Castro, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181017860176330.xml&coll=1

 

CORZINE’S FIRST STEP TO MAKE NJ SAFER: GET HIMSELF OFF THE ROAD

“New Jersey could take stronger steps to safeguard the state against terrorism, Gov. Jon Corzine said Monday in the wake of a foiled plot to blow up a pipeline supplying jet fuel to John F. Kennedy International Airport

"I think there's a lot of work to be done," Corzine said. "It's my belief that we are safer than we were Sept. 10th."

But not enough money has been spent on homeland security, he suggested, and a terror attack in New Jersey that disrupts the state's transportation infrastructure would prove extremely costly.” (Graber, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181017565176390.xml&coll=8

 

"IT’S REASSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING SOMETHING.”

“Immigration arrests in New Jersey have more than doubled in the last two years, an upswing that is likely to continue with the imminent addition of more agents devoted to arresting and deporting illegal immigrants.

In the last year, immigration agents arrested 1,772 people in New Jersey living in the country illegally. The year before -- May 2005 to May 2006 -- they arrested 860………

"It's reassuring that the government is doing something," said Gayle Kesselman, a Carlstadt resident and co-chairwoman of New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control. "But it's a drop in the bucket. If the government was serious about enforcing immigration law, they would build a fence along the border, militarize the border and stop the invasion."……............

"These raids are done in front of children, who see their parents handcuffed and taken away," said Daniel Santo-Pietro, head of the Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey. "Most of these people are not criminals; they're people who tried to legalize their status and either because their lawyers didn't do something right, or they were misguided by one of the many scammers who take advantage of immigrants, had their applications denied and were ordered deported.” (Llorente, Bergen Record)

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FEMA PROMISES

“Touring communities devastated by the April nor'easter, federal officials yesterday promised to seek money for flood studies in Cranford and Manville, and to find more funds for flood control around Bound Brook.

While offering local residents and officials some hope, Assistant Secretary of the Army John Woodley also sought to lower expectations. Even where money may be in the pipeline, "more advocacy is al ways needed" to ensure it arrives, said Woodley, who oversees the Army Corps of Engineers………….

Standing on her front lawn on Boesel Avenue in light rain, Josie Methner told the federal officials, "I'm so glad you came down to see us" and praised Manville Mayor Angelo Corradino for his help in repeated floods.

"We need money, plain and simple, and we're counting on people like you," Methner told Woodley.

Inside her home, with carpets and flooring ripped out because of the latest flood, Methner worried more rain would further undermine her damaged foundation. Two walls need to be replaced, and she still does not know how much her flood insurance will cover, she said.

"People come through and they look, but after a while you feel like you're in a circus," Methner said.” (Tyrell, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181018128176330.xml&coll=1

 

BUT DOES NOT DELIVER

“LITTLE FALLS -- When April's floodwaters ruined the entire downstairs of Danielle Connolly's Singac split-level home, she thought money from her flood insurance claim would get her back to normal in a few weeks.

But nearly two months later, Connolly, 28, and her three children are living in a virtual construction site, while they wait for the National Flood Insurance Program to reimburse her.

"I'm hoping that it'll come this week," Connolly said. "There's still a lot more that needs to be done. It's to the point where I have no money left and the bills are coming."

Connolly, along with about a dozen homeowners in Singac who experienced damages in April's floods -- and at least one business owner in Lodi -- blasted the FEMA-run National Flood Insurance Program, saying they have yet to receive any compensation for their claims.” (Cunningham, Herald News)

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BYE, BYE ETHICS COMPLAINTS

“In a bipartisan vote, a legislative committee has dismissed ethics complaints against seven Republican lawmakers for alleged abuses of the state budget process for personal gain.

Albert Porroni, the Legislature's counsel, confirmed yesterday the Joint Committee on Ethical Standards voted 12-1 recently to dismiss the complaints filed May 3 by two Democrats. He said one dissenting member, whom he did not identify, agreed with the dismissals but wanted to take a public vote……………

The rejected complaints were filed against Sens. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), Peter Inverso (R-Mercer), Robert Singer (R-Ocean) and Leonard Connors (R-Ocean) and Assemblymen Richard Merkt (R-Morris), David Wolfe (R-Ocean) and Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex).

Richard Perr, chairman of the Burlington County Democrats, and Elia Pelios, the Somerset Democratic chairman, contended the seven GOP lawmakers in 2000 or 2001 may have violated state ethics rules by securing budget grants for hospitals, fire companies and other groups to which they or family members had personal ties.” (Donohue, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181018070176330.xml&coll=1

 

GET WELL SOON, MAYOR

“BRICK — Mayor Daniel J. Kelly was taken to the hospital Monday morning from his office in the municipal building, though a town official said in the late afternoon that the mayor was doing well.

Business Administrator Scott M. Pezarras said Kelly, 65, had complained of being light-headed and short of breath in the morning. He was taken by ambulance to Ocean Medical Center on Jack Martin Boulevard, though Pezarras said he seemed to be OK as he left the building.

"He actually cracked a joke as he left," Pezarras said.

Kelly didn't return a telephone call Monday afternoon. However, Pezarras said Kelly was released from the hospital, and that his symptoms appeared to be attributed to a sinus infection.” (Schweiger, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/NEWS02/706050402/1070

 

THE FIGHT IS JUST STARTING IN 29

“Today's primary won't be the end of the intra-party squabble in the 29th District of Newark and Hillside, as two well-known Democrats will challenge the party's nominee for the district's Senate seat in November.

Assemblyman William D. Payne and Newark Councilman Luis Quintana, veteran elected officials who have fallen out of favor with Essex County Democratic leaders, have filed to run as independents……………

"I have 10 years' experience in the Legislature and 10 years' of experience working with the commissioners of the various departments," Assemblyman Payne said yesterday. "It is important to bring someone to the position with knowledge of government and the Legislature."

Both Payne and Quintana said yesterday they are not the "puppet" candidates of Adubato and Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

"The voters want an independent person, not a person hand-picked by the party bosses. That is the problem," Quintana said yesterday.” (Hester, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181018121176330.xml&coll=1

MOVING ON UP

“Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's press secretary has resigned and returned to the private sector after serving for more than two years as the city's mouthpiece.

Maria Pignataro, who worked for Healy since he won a special election in 2004 to replace the late Glenn D. Cunningham, spent her last day at City Hall last week.” (Renshaw, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1181027002311830.xml&coll=3

MINTZ GETS ENDORSEMENTS OF ALL TWO OF STATE’S POPULAR REPUBLICANS

“Former governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman gave the Republican candidate for Mercer County executive a big show of support yesterday.

Janice Mitchell Mintz, who is running unopposed in today's primary, announced yesterday that the two popular former governors have agreed to serve as co-chairs of her campaign…………

"I cannot think of a better choice for Mercer County than Janice Mintz. She is exactly the kind of young, honest and intelligent leader New Jersey so desperately needs," Kean said in the statement.

"Janice was a key adviser during my governorship. She knows how to get things done and she'll be a great leader for the people of Mercer County," Whitman said.

The battle will be tough for Mintz in this Democratic-leaning county, as all current freeholders are Democrats, as well as the current executive, Brian Hughes, who is running unopposed in today's Democratic primary.” (Egan, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1181016599116730.xml&coll=5

 

IN NEW BRUNSWICK

“A state judicial conduct panel has recommended a former New Brunswick municipal court judge be publicly reprimanded after determining he made inappropriate remarks about a defendant's immigration status during a hearing and asked court staff to resolve a license suspension from an unpaid parking ticket.

A hearing on the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct's findings against Gerald Gordon, who has a law office in New Brunswick, is scheduled for today before the state Supreme Court. Gordon has denied any wrongdoing and said yesterday he plans to contest the committee's recommendation, though he declined further comment……….

The state judicial conduct panel found that Gordon committed four violations of the judicial code in 2003 including his extended questioning of a defendant's immigration status, though the charge he faced was not related to whether he was legally in the country.

"If there are people in this country illegally, considering what's happened in this country especially over the last year and a half ... that it makes sense for me to make that inquiry," Gordon said, according to a transcript of the court hearing. "I'll stand on top of the Constitution and make that inquiry every time considering what has happened in this country, especially what happened starting September 11th. And I don't care whether the person is from China, from Austria, or Russia.” (Qarooni, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181017703176330.xml&coll=1

 

APOLOGY “DEMANDED”

“BELVIDERE | Democratic Mayor Charles Liegel demanded an apology from Republican county clerk candidate Chad Chamberlain at Monday night's council meeting.

A recent campaign mailer from Chamberlain alleges Liegel supported the other Republican candidate, acting Clerk Pat Kolb, through a council resolution.

"I don't like to do this," Liegel said. "But I take it as an insult he used my name in a campaign ad that is just mudslinging”………..

"There's nothing in this ad that was false," Chamberlain said. "This shows the Democrats' support for my opponent in a Republican primary. It makes me think there's some sort of deal between her and the Democratic Party." (Satullo, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1181016492117190.xml&coll=2

 

PARAMUS STUDENTS START AT NEW SCHOOL. NOW KIDS ARE UPSET TOO.

“Teachers and parents protested outside the Paramus school district's administration building Monday while they waited for the Board of Education to emerge from a closed-door meeting.

The angry crowd stood outside the building at 4 p.m. with signs protesting the district's failure to notify them about contaminated soil found six months ago at West Brook Middle School – ordered shut down last week by Mayor James Tedesco. A smaller group of protesters showed up by 7:30 p.m., when the meeting was originally scheduled to start.

We get a phone call when there's a snow day or some other emergency, so why couldn't they let us know where to drop off our kids and pick them up?" said an angry Richie LaVecchia.” (Gartland and Faiano, Bergen Record)

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AN EXPENSIVE MISTAKE

“At least one school board official is calling for the district business administrator's resignation after a transcription error cost the Buena Regional School District $730,886…….

Board of Education President David Anderson said Business Administrator Thomas Kearney made a transcription error.

"The guy made a mistake," Anderson said. "We adjusted the best way we could so we didn't do any harm to the taxpayers.”……………

Mayor Chuck Chiarello said the mistake erases an expected 2-cent decrease in the township's school property tax rate.

Chiarello called it the "camel's straw," saying Kearney has made repeated mathematical mistakes over the past several years.” (Smith, The Daily Journal)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/NEWS01/706050312/1002

IN IRVINGTON

“An administrative law judge will determine whether the Irvington township clerk violated the state's Open Public Records Act when a former township police officer's request for documents was delayed.” (Roberts, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181018170176330.xml&coll=1

IN FAIRFIELD

“When asked about a police sergeant's response to a contentious council meeting last fall, some Fairfield councilmen said the sergeant took too long to respond to the council chambers and when he did arrive, he was disrespectful to the mayor. The township administrator accused Sgt. Martin Brennan of having an ongoing pattern of behavior that is vindictive to town officials ever since he sued Fairfield in 2004.” (Moore, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181018225210530.xml&coll=1

 

IN WEST WINDSOR

“The incoming township council majority plans to replace Michael J. Herbert as township attorney, but the mayor disputes whether they have the authority to do that.” (Perisco and Kitchenman, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1181016649116730.xml&coll=5

IN ATLANTIC CITY

“The move to unionize more workers at Atlantic City's casinos is expanding to include security officers. Guards at Bally's Atlantic City voted Sunday to join a union which has announced plans to organize about 2,500 workers at all 11 of the city's casinos. The drive comes as the United Auto Workers union also is trying to organize dealers at each casino here.” (Parry, AP)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/NEWS01/706050335/1002/NEWS01

 

SOUTH JERSEY HEALTHCARE

“Contract negotiations begin today between South Jersey Healthcare and the Health Professional and Allied Employees Union, which represents SJH's over 800 registered nurses.” (Dunn, Bridgeton News)

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1181016780154140.xml&coll=10

 

IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

“Voters in 34 of Burlington County’s 40 towns will go to the polls tomorrow for primary elections, but voters in only three of those towns will decide contested races.” (Reitmeyer, Burlington County Times)

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-06042007-1357525.html

IN MERCER COUNTY

“While primary elections around the state today may determine the makeup of the New Jersey Legislature for years to come, Mercer County's Election Day promises to be largely uneventful. Countywide, there are only two contested primary elections and both are at the local level.” (Isherwood, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181016487116730.xml&coll=5

 

IN OCEAN COUNTY

“The Republican race for Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Democratic race for the 9th District state Senate seat are the only contested races in the southern half of the county. Peter McCarthy, a Manahawkin resident, and Suzanne Penna, of Berkeley, are seeking to usurp the seats Freeholders John P. Kelly and James F. Lacey have held for roughly 15 years.” (Pharo, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/ocean/story/7483320p-7378354c.html