How to Support Small Businesses

Gloucestercitynews.net (11-20-19)–Small businesses are the pillars of your community in Gloucester, providing you with an interesting, unique, and bustling town center from which you can buy gifts and essentials at the last minute. However, many small businesses struggle up against the monolith presence of big online brands such as Amazon, especially during the holiday period.

Read on for more information on how you can support small businesses now and in the coming year, and make a small business owner extremely happy.

Eat and Shop at Independent Businesses

Your personal finances may not always allow you to shop at independent businesses. However, if and when you are able to, it is important that you skip the sales and low prices of online shops in order to support your local community and buy your gifts and essentials from physical stores, even if these are not always the cheapest options. Not only this, but it is also important that you eat at independent restaurants rather than at chains to ensure that these are able to thrive. Restaurants and pubs such as

The Hole in the Wall Chichester

can provide you with a unique experience that you would not be able to receive at some of the larger chains, whether you want to host a small gathering, pop in for a drink, or plan a Christmas party.

Share Their Social Media Posts

If you are not able to afford to shop locally at the current time, or want to help spread the word about your favorite small business, you should also share their social media posts and website links whenever possible. This will help to raise awareness about the business in question, as well as give you the opportunity to provide them with an easy referral through sharing your positive experience with your followers. A simple way that you can share posts on social media is through reposting their updates on your Instagram or Facebook stories, as this both links to the company in question and allows you to promote their brand for a limited period of time.

Create an Event for Small Business Owners

To bring small business owners together and get others in your community more interested in local business, you should consider

setting up an event for small business owners

in the Gloucester area. In order to achieve this, you should plan the focus of the event, such as selling their goods on stalls which local residents can buy, or connecting and

networking with other small business owners

You should also make sure that you are able to complete tasks such as booking an appropriate venue, marketing your campaign online and through posters and leaflets in your local area, and inviting the right attendees.

Give Them Positive Reviews

If you have bought a product or service from a local business, the final action that you can take to support them is to give them a positive review online (on

small business directories

such as Yelp) or on their website. You could also recommend them through word-of-mouth, which is a popular technique to grow small businesses’ customer base.

images courtesy of pixabay

PHILADELPHIA’S BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK WINTERFEST OPENS NOV. 29

Outdoor Ice Skating by the Ben Franklin Bridge, Newly Decorated Cabins, S’mores on the Fire Pits, Warming Food and Drink Specials in The Lodge, All Set in a Sparkling Winter Wonderland

PHILADELPHIA,

(November

19,

2019) —

The holiday season is all about cozying up with friends and family to share in favorite winter traditions, and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is excited to announce that on Black Friday, November 29, 2019, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest will kick off the holiday season for the 26th year with the re-opening of an iconic Philadelphia winter experience.

Opening weekend

promises a kickoff to the season for the books and will include an Ice Skating Princesses Performance, Storytime in the Lodge with free cookies and hot chocolate, and Lego building.

Filled with all of Philadelphia’s favorite winter traditions, including skating under the stars amidst the majestic Ben Franklin Bridge on a regulation-sized Olympic outdoor ice skating rink, sipping hot chocolate and eating comfort foods in the chalet-inspired Lodge with food and beverages from Garces Group, Chickie’s and Pete’s, and Franklin Fountain, the fun lasts all season long with arcade games, storytelling adventures, late night dancing, character skating, and more at this picture-perfect winter wonderland.

Now celebrating its 26th year, Blue Cross RiverRink sparkles at night from thousands of lights strung across the site, lighting that washes vibrant colors over the rink, and a majestic holiday tree dressed in tens of thousands of twinkling LEDs (over 100,000 lumens!).

“Winterfest is one of the most festive seasonal experiences for Philadelphia residents and visitors,” said Joe Forkin, president of DRWC. “Thousands of people have been coming to the Waterfront for more than 25 years to ice skate with their families, eat great food, enjoy hot drinks in The Lodge, and just have a wonderful time. It’s a favorite winter tradition in Philadelphia.”

New this year is the design of the cabins and main Lodge. Designer Todd Marcocci of West Chester’s Under The Sun Productions was tasked with reimagining each of the cabins as well as the main Lodge. Marcocci drew his inspiration from his upbringing in Western Pennsylvania and his experiences in the mountain region.

Each of the cabins has two, brand-new, hand-sewn and custom printed Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest logo pillows trimmed in various winter colors. While the design aesthetic will feel new, the warmth and tradition of Winterfest remains.

The new lodge and cabin themes include:

MAIN LODGE

In the main lodge, visitors are embraced by all new soft goods that pull together familiar design elements that create the perfect winter cabin feel. The enhanced decorations are carefully contoured with trees featuring new, hand-made burlap rosettes. Countless cardinals have been incorporated into the décor to add color and texture along with pillows and plush accessories that match the cabins.

CARDINAL CABIN

The theme of this cabin was inspired by the excitement the designer experienced when his aunt would spot a cardinal in her yard during the winter season. The lush colors of red fill the cabin along with themed soft goods.

NATURE CABIN

The nature cabin was inspired by a treasured print of a farm, wagon and pine tree. The space is filled with various representations of the natural environment, along with the inspirational print.

SKI CABIN

This cabin theme was inspired by the designer’s father who was an avid skier and started his son in the sport at the age of two years old. Various skis — including a vintage set — are positioned to compliment the theme.

SKATE CABIN

The skating themed cabin was inspired by the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, where thousands come each year to enjoy skating along the Delaware River. Vintage and modern skates, along with soft goods and pops of vibrant color, make this cabin an ideal place to hang out.

SNOWMAN CABIN presented by Philadelphia Magazine

Everyone loves a snowman and this cabin features different snowman-themed props along with a snowman and snow-themed soft goods.

In addition to traditional favorites, tasty treats include Village Whiskey burgers, Chickie’s and Pete’s famous Crab Fries, fried Oreos, S’MORES, “drinking chocolate” and more! Visitors can also enjoy drinks seasonal hot chocolate, spiked apple cider, and other warmed wintery libations while enjoying the cozy confines of the newly-decorate Lodge and cabins.

“The Blue Cross RiverRink brings people together and helps create memories that last a lifetime,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross CEO. “Independence Blue Cross is so pleased to help make this great Philadelphia tradition possible, as part of our commitment to promoting a fun and active lifestyle in the region.”

And, of course, everyone’s favorite traditions include all of the incredible and largely free events offered at Winterfest.

This year’s annual

Holiday Tree Lighting Powered by PECO

will take place on Friday, December 6th and includes 10 acts and 28 performances that include gospel choirs, Latin ensembles, dancers, synchronized skaters, and more. Returning this year as a headlining performer to sing

O Holy Night

is The Voice, Season 14’s Jackie Verna. New this year as the second headliner is America’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Christina Wells, singing

I Know Where I’ve Been.

“PECO is honored to share in the tradition of the Holiday Tree Lighting for the 4th year. For 25 years PECO has proudly supported DRWC’s events and programs, including the PECO Multicultural Series,” said PECO President and CEO Mike Innocenzo, “DRWC does an incredible job of kicking off the holiday season with a night of remarkable performances, capped off, of course, with the moment the tree lights turn on. This magical night, and lighting up the holiday season along the waterfront has become a favorite tradition of ours.”

Another favorite holiday tradition for kids of every age is

Skate with Santa

which will take place every Sunday from December 21st through 22nd.

Perhaps the brightest and most festive traditions is the one that brings everyone together to say goodbye to 2019 and welcome in an exciting New Year. The

Rivers Casino New Years Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

will light up the evening sky with two shows at 6:00 pm and Midnight. Visitors can get the best seat in the house at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at one (or both!) of the New Year’s Eve Parties on Ice.

“Rivers Casino Philadelphia is proud to support the New Year’s Eve fireworks shows along the Delaware River waterfront,” said Emily Doñes, community relations manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia. “This will be the 10th consecutive year the casino is hosting the city’s traditional celebration and is the perfect way to ring in 2020.”

In addition, the rink, Lodge, and cabins can be rented for holiday parties, winter get-togethers and birthday celebrations. Especially with their new designs, the warming cabins are the perfect place to hold your next gathering. Single Cabins rent for $75 per 90 minutes and fit 8-10 people, and Double Cottages rent for $125 per 90 minutes and can fit up to 18 people. Parents can also be heroes when they host the ultimate ice skating birthday bash for the youngster in their lives in the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest Kid\’s Lodge. Just a few feet away for the rink, this heated space features arcade games, small rides, and classics like pinball and air hockey, and is the home the positively perfect

Portside Pizza

! Interested parties can email

riverrink@drwc.orgfor

more information.

MORE HAPPENINGS ON THE WATERFRONT

DRWC continues every year in its mission to program and develop the Central Delaware River Waterfront for all of Philadelphia and its visitors. By consistently producing innovative programming and design, the nonprofit provides new, authentically-Philadelphia traditions and public spaces that create a new era on the Waterfront.

To that end, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is thrilled to report progress and exciting new developments.

Studio Zewde

(Harlem, New York) is working on public engagement, site assessment, and design for the

Port Richmond Waterfront & Graffiti Pier

Planning Study project while

OLIN

(Philadelphia and Los Angeles, California) is tasked with the same duties for the

South Philadelphia Wetlands Park

project.

The kickoff to DRWC’s new

Waterfront Arts Program

saw the docking of a 90 foot holographic, site-specific 18th-century “ghost ship” adjacent to Race Street Pier. The three dimensional light and water installation, by Romanian-based Biangle Studio enjoyed a month-long run and saw over 40,000 visitors.

Looking ahead, DRWC has announced exciting developments for it’s most ambitious undertaking and a keystone of the organizations Master Plan, the

Park at Penn’s Landing

. This project includes the reconstruction and expansion of a new bridge over I-95 that will support a new 12-acre riverfront civic space, the extension of South Street Pedestrian Bridge, and the construction of a portion of the Delaware River Trail. Furthermore, DRWC announced a nationwide call for developers for these eleven acres of prime waterfront land.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

More information about programming, food and beverage options, and season details can be found in our press room. Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest high resolution photos can be downloaded via our website (password is aidemdrwc).

BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK WINTERFEST SPONSORS

Winter Programming is made possible by Independence Blue Cross, Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Dunkin’ ,Visit Philadelphia,NBC10 and Telemundo62, Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages LLC, and Philadelphia Magazine

ABOUT INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS

Independence Blue Cross

is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 8 million people nationwide, including 2.5 million in the region. For 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit

www.ibx.com

. Connect with us on

Facebook

and on

Twitter

. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

ABOUT DRWC

DRWC is a 501(c)(3) created in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop, program and maintain public amenities such as permanent and seasonal parks, trails, and streetscape improvements to transform the waterfront into a vibrant destination for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia as is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. Daily programming throughout the entire year is changing the way Philadelphians see and converse about the waterfront, and is helping to create spaces and communities that connect residents and visitors to the waterfront.

Maryland Residents Spend the Most on Christmas

ChamberofCommerce.org

Releases 2019 Holiday Spending Report, Highlighting Spending Average Per State

November 19, 2019

–

ChamberofCommerce.org

published the 2019 Holiday Spending Report, detailing the highest- and lowest-spending states and the disparity among them. The report, via charts, graphs, and analyses, identifies the average amount each shopper spends per state, what they tend to purchase, and where the majority of the shopping takes place.

The average consumer spends $1,047 during the holidays, but data shows that

certain states spend up to twice as much

States with the Largest Holiday Budget

Maryland – $2,241

Utah – $2,195

Hawaii – $1,887

New Jersey – $1,843

Virginia – $1,596

On the other hand, the lowest-spending state, West Virginia, spends less than one-tenth of the national average.

See the 2019 Holiday Spending Report:

Which States Spend the Most During the Holidays?

Holiday shopping continues to grow and expand, year over year. Experts predict an overall increase of 4% in spending for 2019, along with a paradigm shift in the market, as online shopping will be overtaking brick-and-mortar shopping for the first time. Despite these shifts and changes, the report illustrates that there is a clear discrepancy in spending among states (and regions) in the U.S.

ChamberofCommerce.org

created the 2019 Holiday Spending Report utilizing the most recent data available from the National Retail Federation, the U.S. Census Bureau, and Deloitte consumer surveys.

# # #

About

ChamberofCommerce.org

is a website dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs start, market, finance, and grow their businesses. By creating in-depth guides, how-tos, and reviews covering relevant business products,

ChamberofCommerce.org

hopes to help readers move past the pitfalls that are often to blame for small business failure.

Lawsuit seeks return of \’fair-share\’ fees paid by Pennsylvania state non-union workers

Members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union listen to AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer speak during a forum in this 2012 file photo. Seth Perlman | AP file photo

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

Seven current and former Pennsylvania state employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to get back dues they claim they were forced to pay to a union that did not represent them.

If they’re successful, approximately 10,000 people could end up getting $3 million back.

The lawsuit was filed this month in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Middle District Court by the Liberty Justice Center, a nonpartisan “litigation center” that seeks to protect the right to work or create a business for anyone, and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

Seven current and former Pennsylvania state employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to get back dues they claim they were forced to pay to a union that did not represent them.

If they’re successful, approximately 10,000 people could end up getting $3 million back.

One of the plaintiffs in the case is David Schaszberger. He served as a statistical analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for a decade but voluntarily chose not to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 13, the local union representing more than 65,000 public-sector workers.

The Liberty Justice Center estimates Schaszberger had to pay the union more than $4,000 in order to hold his job.

The lawsuit comes in the wake of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, an Illinois case filed by the same groups, that overturned the practice of public-sector unions collecting what they called “fair share” fees from workers who opted not to join. The unions maintained the fees were necessary to cover the costs of negotiating collective bargaining agreements, which covered both union and nonunion employees alike.

“The Supreme Court has already decided with us and with the workers,” said Brian Kelsey, a Liberty Justice Center senior attorney. “Now we’re just asking the courts to make the union pay up for what they took.”

In the 5-4 decision, the nation’s top court ruled such forced payments violate a public-sector employee’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association.

“Accordingly, neither an agency fee nor any other form of payment to a public-sector union may be deducted from an employee, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the employee affirmatively consents to pay,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.

Kelsey said the now-illegal practice was the exact opposite of the right-to-work law the groups support. Right-to-work laws allow individuals to work in public jobs and receive the same benefits as union workers but without paying dues to the labor organization representing the workers.

Pennsylvania is one of 23 states that does not have a right-to-work law on its books.

The Pennsylvania workers’ lawsuit seeks a refund of the “fair share” fees nonunion employees paid between Nov. 7, 2017, and June 27, 2018. Dues paid prior to that cannot be collected because of the statute of limitations.

They are also seeking to make this a class-action lawsuit.

A message to AFSCME Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman was not returned.

However, in a statement after the lawsuit was filed, Fillman criticized the case, saying it was supported by “dark money” special-interest groups.

“We will combat this attack on the workers who keep our commonwealth operating just as we have always done,” he said. “Liberty Justice Center poses as helping public employees; however, their goal is to eliminate public sector employee protections altogether.”

Kelsey denied the assertion this and similar cases are an attempt to eradicate unions.

“What we’re doing is we’re representing workers, and in particular, we’re representing workers who had their rights abused by unions,” he said. “And it’s time for the unions to pay this money back that they unconstitutionally took.”

This is one of two such cases that the center and foundation have filed in Pennsylvania. The other involves state workers seeking repayment from a Service Employees International Union local chapter.

Similar lawsuits have also been filed in Maryland and Illinois.

“We plan to file more,” added Kelsey, who also said he expects the AFSCME case to eventually go before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

posted here with permission of

The Center Square

Acreage Holdings Looking at $317M in Medical Cannabis Sales with Purchase of NJ Compassionate Care

Company Release – 11/18/2019 7:30 AM ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acreage Holdings, Inc. (“Acreage”) (CSE: ACRG.U) (OTC: ACRGF) (FSE: 0ZV) announced that on November 15, certain of its subsidiaries and Compassionate Care Foundation, Inc. (“CCF”), a New Jersey vertically integrated cannabis nonprofit corporation, entered into a Reorganization Agreement, pursuant to which Acreage will acquire 100% of the equity interests in CCF, and subsequently consolidate their financials. Closing of the transaction is subject to state approval.

With a population of approximately nine million, New Jersey is estimated to generate $317 million in legal medical cannabis sales by 2022, according to Arcview Market Research.

“I’m thrilled to finally welcome CCF into the Acreage family,” said Kevin Murphy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Acreage. “This reorganization will result in increased access to affordable medical cannabis for New Jersey’s existing patients in short order. Moreover, we have long believed that upon adult-use legalization, the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions will be the preeminent cannabis market in the U.S. and Acreage is best positioned of any U.S. cannabis company to benefit.”

CCF Operations

CCF’s vertically integrated operations include licenses for cultivation, manufacturing & processing, and three retail dispensaries. A description of the operations follows:

Cultivation:

CCF operates one of New Jersey’s largest indoor growing facilities, primarily for high end flower, in Egg Harbor, NJ. Acreage and CCF are planning to expand this facility to serve the existing demand for medical cannabis and in anticipation of adult-use legalization, and to build out a robust wholesale business.

Retail Dispensary Operations:

CCF has the potential to operate three retail dispensaries, one of which is currently in operation in Egg Harbor. An additional dispensary is under construction in Atlantic City as The Botanist, and an letter of intent has been signed for another The Botanist dispensary in Williamstown, NJ.

ABOUT ACREAGE

Headquartered in New York City, Acreage is one of the largest vertically integrated, multi-state operators of cannabis licenses and assets in the U.S., according to publicly available information. Acreage owns licenses to operate or has management or consulting services or other agreements in place with license holders to assist in operations in 20 states (including pending acquisitions) with a population of approximately 180 million Americans, and an estimated 2022 total addressable market of $16.7 billion in legal cannabis sales, according to Arcview Market Research. Acreage is dedicated to building and scaling operations to create a seamless, consumer-focused branded cannabis experience. Acreage\’s national retail store brand, The Botanist, debuted in 2018.

On June 27, 2019 Acreage implemented an arrangement under section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Arrangement”) with Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth”). Pursuant to the Arrangement, the Acreage articles were amended to provide Canopy Growth with an option to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Acreage, with a requirement to do so, upon a change in federal laws in the United States to permit the general cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana (as defined in the relevant legislation) or to remove the regulation of such activities from the federal laws of the United States (the “Triggering Event”), subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set out in the arrangement agreement entered into between Acreage and Canopy Growth on April 18, 2019, as amended on May 15, 2019 (the “Arrangement Agreement”). Acreage will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity and to conduct its business independently, subject to compliance with certain covenants contained in the Arrangement Agreement. Upon the occurrence or waiver of the Triggering Event, Canopy Growth will exercise the option and, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to closing set out in the Arrangement Agreement, acquire (the “Acquisition”) each of the Subordinate Voting Shares (following the automatic conversion of the Class B proportionate voting shares and Class C multiple voting shares of Acreage into Subordinate Voting Shares) in exchange for the payment of 0.5818 of a common share of Canopy Growth per Subordinate Voting Share (subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement). If the Acquisition is completed, Canopy Growth will acquire all of the Acreage Shares, Acreage will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth and Canopy Growth will continue the operations of Canopy Growth and Acreage on a combined basis. For more information about the Arrangement and the Acquisition please see the respective information circulars of each of Acreage and Canopy Growth dated May 17, 2019, which are available on Canopy Growth’s and Acreage’s respective profiles on SEDAR at

www.sedar.com

. For additional information regarding Canopy Growth, please see Canopy Growth’s profile on SEDAR at

www.sedar.com

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release and each of the documents referred to herein contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information, including, for greater certainty, statements regarding the proposed transaction with Canopy Growth, including the anticipated benefits and likelihood of completion thereof.

Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budgets”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Acreage’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Acreage and on assumptions Acreage believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Acreage to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory approvals; the available funds of Acreage and the anticipated use of such funds; the availability of financing opportunities; the ability of Acreage and Canopy Growth to satisfy, in a timely manner, the conditions to the completion of the Acquisition; the likelihood of completion of the Acquisition; other expectations and assumptions concerning the transactions contemplated between Acreage and Canopy Growth; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the cannabis industry; risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and currency risk; risks relating to U.S. regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation; other governmental and environmental regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; risks related to contracts with third-party service providers; risks related to the enforceability of contracts; reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management of Acreage; risks related to proprietary intellectual property and potential infringement by third parties; the concentrated voting control of Acreage’s founder and the unpredictability caused by Acreage’s capital structure; risks relating to the management of growth; increasing competition in the industry; risks inherent in an agricultural business; risks relating to energy costs; risks associated to cannabis products manufactured for human consumption including potential product recalls; reliance on key inputs, suppliers and skilled labor; cybersecurity risks; ability and constraints on marketing products; fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants; tax and insurance related risks; risks related to the economy generally; risk of litigation; conflicts of interest; risks relating to certain remedies being limited and the difficulty of enforcement of judgments and effect service outside of Canada; risks related to future acquisitions or dispositions; sales by existing shareholders; and limited research and data relating to cannabis. A description of additional assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Acreage’s disclosure documents, including the Circular and Acreage’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on April 29, 2019, on the SEDAR website at

www.sedar.com

. Although Acreage has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Acreage as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, Acreage expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Cinnaminson Drug Dealer Charged with Causing Death of Palmyra Customer

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Palmyra Borough Police Chief Scott Pearlman announced that a Cinnaminson drug dealer was arrested

today for causing the death of a customer who fatally overdosed during the summer on heroin that she sold to him earlier that day.

Colleen Wedge, 29, of the 700 block of Foxcroft Drive in Cinnaminson, was charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (Third Degree).

Wedge surrendered this morning at the Palmyra Borough Police Department. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.

The investigation began after officers from the Palmyra Borough Police Department were called to a house on West Fifth Street on August 9 for an unattended death. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of a 31-year-old male on the floor of his bedroom. Empty baggies of heroin were found in the bedroom.

The investigation revealed that Wedge had sold heroin to the victim on numerous occasions, including four bags on the day of his fatal overdose for which he paid $50.

An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood concluded the cause of death was heroin and fentanyl toxicity.

Wedge will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by the Palmyra Borough Police Department and the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Maple Shade Used Car Dealer Faces Criminal Charges

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher announced that a Maple Shade used car dealer has been charged with altering temporary license plates that were provided to

customers in an effort to conceal the fact that he sold vehicles for which he did not have possession of the title of ownership.

Gavry Nelson, 36, of Medford Lane in Willingboro, was charged with two counts of Forgery (Third Degree) and two counts of Tampering (Fourth Degree). He was also issued a summons for placing counterfeit license plates on a motor vehicle.

Arrangements are being made for Nelson to surrender himself to the Maple Shade Police Department to be processed on the charges. The case will then be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.

The investigation began after a Maple Shade Police Department patrol officer pulled over a vehicle for having a temporary license plate with an altered expiration date.

The investigation revealed that Nelson, the owner of The Automotive Outlet at Route 38 and Stiles Avenue, was selling vehicles he had obtained at auctions even though he was unable to take possession of the title because the vehicles had liens placed on them.

Nelson did not disclose to the buyers that he was selling a vehicle without possession of the title. In attempt to cover his actions, Nelson would repeatedly provide the purchasers with new temporary license plates that had been altered to extend the expiration date. His failure to secure the titles meant that those who purchased the vehicles were unable to register them with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, which has opened an investigation into Nelson’s actions.

Consumers who suspect they have been victimized by this business are asked to call the Maple Shade Police Department at 856-234-8300.

The lead investigators on the case are Maple Shade Patrol Officers Justin Jericho and Anthony King.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Lawsuit seeks return of \’fair-share\’ fees paid by Pennsylvania state non-union workers

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Members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union listen to AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer speak during a forum in this 2012 file photo. Seth Perlman | AP file photo
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By Steve Bittenbender |
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The Center Square
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Seven current and former Pennsylvania state employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to get back dues they claim they were forced to pay to a union that did not represent them.




If they’re successful, approximately 10,000 people could end up getting $3 million back.




The lawsuit was filed this month in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Middle District Court by the Liberty Justice Center, a nonpartisan “litigation center” that seeks to protect the right to work or create a business for anyone, and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.




Seven current and former Pennsylvania state employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to get back dues they claim they were forced to pay to a union that did not represent them.




If they’re successful, approximately 10,000 people could end up getting $3 million back.




The lawsuit was filed this month in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Middle District Court by the Liberty Justice Center, a nonpartisan “litigation center” that seeks to protect the right to work or create a business for anyone, and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.




One of the plaintiffs in the case is David Schaszberger. He served as a statistical analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for a decade but voluntarily chose not to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 13, the local union representing more than 65,000 public-sector workers.




The Liberty Justice Center estimates Schaszberger had to pay the union more than $4,000 in order to hold his job.




The lawsuit comes in the wake of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, an Illinois case filed by the same groups, that overturned the practice of public-sector unions collecting what they called “fair share” fees from workers who opted not to join. The unions maintained the fees were necessary to cover the costs of negotiating collective bargaining agreements, which covered both union and nonunion employees alike.




“The Supreme Court has already decided with us and with the workers,” said Brian Kelsey, a Liberty Justice Center senior attorney. “Now we’re just asking the courts to make the union pay up for what they took.”




In the 5-4 decision, the nation’s top court ruled such forced payments violate a public-sector employee’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association.




“Accordingly, neither an agency fee nor any other form of payment to a public-sector union may be deducted from an employee, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the employee affirmatively consents to pay,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.




Kelsey said the now-illegal practice was the exact opposite of the right-to-work law the groups support. Right-to-work laws allow individuals to work in public jobs and receive the same benefits as union workers but without paying dues to the labor organization representing the workers.




Pennsylvania is one of 23 states that does not have a right-to-work law on its books.




The Pennsylvania workers’ lawsuit seeks a refund of the “fair share” fees nonunion employees paid between Nov. 7, 2017, and June 27, 2018. Dues paid prior to that cannot be collected because of the statute of limitations.




They are also seeking to make this a class-action lawsuit.




A message to AFSCME Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman was not returned.




However, in a statement after the lawsuit was filed, Fillman criticized the case, saying it was supported by “dark money” special-interest groups.




“We will combat this attack on the workers who keep our commonwealth operating just as we have always done,” he said. “Liberty Justice Center poses as helping public employees; however, their goal is to eliminate public sector employee protections altogether.”




Kelsey denied the assertion this and similar cases are an attempt to eradicate unions.




“What we’re doing is we’re representing workers, and in particular, we’re representing workers who had their rights abused by unions,” he said. “And it’s time for the unions to pay this money back that they unconstitutionally took.”




This is one of two such cases that the center and foundation have filed in Pennsylvania. The other involves state workers seeking repayment from a Service Employees International Union local chapter.




Similar lawsuits have also been filed in Maryland and Illinois.




“We plan to file more,” added Kelsey, who also said he expects the AFSCME case to eventually go before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.



posted here with permission of

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Lawsuit seeks return of \’fair-share\’ fees paid by Pennsylvania state non-union workers