Camden County GOP Awards Mehta The Organization Line

Ambrosino: “Mehta in the column helps our down ballot candidates in November.”

HADDON HEIGHTS – Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino announced today that after interviewing U.S. Senate candidates over two evenings the organization’s screening committee recommended the organization line be awarded to Rik Mehta. Ambrosino accepted that recommendation and has awarded the organization line to Mehta.

“CCGOP’s by-laws state the chairman has the authority to award the organization line to candidates, but I prefer to be more inclusive and have a screening committee interview candidates and make a recommendation. It’s a system that works well for us.” Rich Ambrosino said, “The screening committee chairman reported to me the recommendation was unanimous, Rik Mehta should be in the column with our candidates.”

“I thank the candidates for taking part in the process.” Ambrosino continued, “All live a considerable distance from our county, their willingness to make the drive shows they understand that with only eight counties having more registered Republicans than Camden County, our 55,000 plus Republicans are very important in a statewide primary.”

“I thank the screening committee for their work and for choosing an excellent U.S. Senate candidate.” Ambrosino said, “Rik Mehta is qualified, has a keen grasp of the issues voters care about, is raising money and has assembled a quality campaign team. Mehta in the column helps our down ballot candidates in November.”

Kristina N. Saban of Newark ,DE age 38

Suddenly, on January 30, 2020.

Age 38.

Of Newark, DE.

Survived by her children, William Thomas Morgan, III, Abby Rose Morgan, Jaxon Morgan and Joseph Russell Morris.

Survived by her mother, Margaret M. Barr (nee Flynn) and her brother, Anthony

Saban

Jr. (Lauren).

Predeceased by her brother

Joseph Barr (surviving Jacqueline

)

Beloved aunt of Cole, Ryan and Emma.

Also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins

Interment will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of

Kristina N.

Saban

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN

–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph

:856

-456-1142

FACE OF DEFENSE: Coast Guard Rescues 4 Fishermen in Rough Seas (Video)

U.S. Coast Guard District 5 North

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina hoists four fishermen who ran aground near Shackelford Banks, North Carolina, February. 7, 2020. A crew member reported that they had become disabled due to fuel issues, then ran aground and began taking on water.

(U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Elizabeth City.)

WILMINGTON, N.C.- The Coast Guard rescued four men after their 78-foot fishing vessel ran aground near Shackelford Banks, North Carolina, Friday morning.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s command center received a radio distress call at approximately 3:30 a.m from a crew member aboard the vessel Tamara Alane, who reported that they had become disabled due to fuel issues, then ran aground and began taking on water.

The crew members asked to be removed from the vessel due to harsh weather conditions.

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City launched to assist.

Once on scene, the aircrew hoisted the four crew members and transported them to Michael J. Smith Airport in Beaufort.

There were no reported injuries or visible signs of pollution. The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation and salvage operations.

“The fishermen did the right thing by calling us as soon as possible,” said Chief Warrant Officer Kristen Auer, command duty officer at the Sector North Carolina command center.“With the deteriorating weather conditions, the situation could have gone from bad to worse.”

SOURCE US Coast Guard

FACE OF DEFENSE

VIDEO:Philadelphia Police Seeking Help ID Suspect Who Shot Three People

PHILADELPHIA PA (February 7, 2020)–Philadelphia Police are asking the public for help identify a suspect who was caught on surveillance cameras running in the 5200 block of Market Street after gunfire erupted just after 12AM. The man fled westbound on Market Street. He stopped for a second to talk with another male who was heading towards him and they both continued west on Market Street.

Police say the man is suspected of shooting a 30-year-old man who was placed in critical condition after being shot in the left side of his face. Also injured was a 29-year-old man who was shot in the right leg, and a 28-year-old man who was shot in the lower back. The still photos of the man were taken from the police video below.

Suspect Caught On Surveillance Video Fleeing Scene Of West Philadelphia Triple Shooting

Resident from Southampton Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud

PHILADELPHIA PA (February 7, 2020)–On February 6, 2020, DUANE WILSON (WILSON), 66, of Southampton, PA, was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by six months of home confinement. WILSON was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of

$272,742.00 to the IRS. WILSON previously pled guilty to filing a false tax return.

WILSON, who was once employed by Valley Power in Willow Grove, PA, embezzled over $1 million from his former employer. WILSON failed to report some of those funds on his tax return. WILSON’S actions caused a loss of approximately $272,742.00 to the IRS.

“No matter the source, all income is taxable,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. “There is no better time than tax season to remind the public that knowingly omitting income on a tax return is a felony; one that could result in jail time.”

In fashioning a sentence, United States District Court Judge Joshua D. Wolson referred to this case as a straight forward crime of greed.

WILSON will begin serving his prison sentence on April 06, 2020.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Gray.

source :

Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation-Philadelphia Field Office

A Nevada COTA Family is Celebrating American Heart Month

Thanks to Their Toddler’s Heart Transplant

COTA Kid Emerson Buskirk Heart Transplant Recipient

February 3, 2020

—

February is the month to celebrate love and hearts. Since 1964 February has been known as American Heart Month throughout the United States. For the Buskirk family of Las Vegas, Nevada, February truly is a month to celebrate selfless gifts from the heart. Their toddler, Emerson, is alive and able to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year because of the new heart she received just over a year ago.

Emerson Lee Buskirk was born in June 2018 to ecstatic first-time parents, Andrea and Brandon. They were thrilled and thankful to welcome this precious infant to their now family of three. Their first few months at home in Las Vegas with Baby Emerson were like those of other first-time, adoring parents. According to Andrea and Brandon, Emerson was the world’s easiest baby and they knew how fortunate they were. She was a champion sleeper and eater. She was very calm yet very curious. But early in the morning of September 24

, they embarked on a new and unexpected journey with Emerson.

Andrea and Brandon both blogged and posted on social media regularly about Emerson’s transplant journey and what follows are excerpts from their narratives:

Brandon and I are both teachers, so when the school year started for Brandon, we knew it was inevitable he would bring home germs. In early September he had a cold that was eventually passed to Emerson. We did not know it at the time, but that virus was the tipping point for her body. In mid-September 2018 we noticed something was ‘off’ with Emerson. She was not sleeping as well as normal, and was a little more cranky than usual. We decided Brandon would stay home with her on September 24

because that was to be my first day back from maternity leave for my teaching job. However, I was not able to return to my classroom as planned.

That night Emerson’s whole demeanor changed and she was lethargic. We assumed she just was not feeling well because of her cold. At 3:30 a.m. we were awake with Emerson. She was refusing to eat and her wet diaper was very dark, signaling dehydration. We grabbed her diaper bag and left quickly for the local hospital’s emergency room. Upon intake, an IV was started and she was immediately put on oxygen. She was very pale and was having trouble breathing. A chest x-ray was performed and then a doctor came in with news we had not expected to hear — Emerson was in congestive heart failure. Our world stopped.

We were immediately transferred to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas to meet with pediatric cardiologists. The cardiologist who performed Emerson’s first echocardiogram left the room saying, ‘I need to expedite this’ and then returned very quickly to tell us what he had seen. He knew Emerson would need a heart transplant to survive. We were briefly admitted to the PICU and plans were being made to transfer us to a pediatric heart center. Loma Linda University’s Children’s Hospital had an opening on the cardiac floor, and less than 12 hours later we were being life-flighted there … about 250 miles from our home.

The first week of Emerson’s Dilated Cardiomyopathy diagnosis was grim. By the time she had another echocardiogram performed on September 25

, her heart function had gone from 30% to 9%. Her body was failing. Loma Linda’s team of pediatric cardiac specialists thought she would need to be placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which is highly specialized life support. She was sedated, intubated and placed in isolation. The only way we could see her was to put on a gown, mask and gloves. We could not hold or comfort her. We felt lost and far away from our support network. Emerson was officially listed as transplant status 1A on September 26

. Our pastors travelled from Las Vegas to California and we baptized Emerson in the hospital, which was not at all what we had planned. We were preparing for the worst.

The next step was to get Emerson off the ventilator, which could only be done if her heart function got better. On October 8

her first open heart surgery, the Pulmonary Artery Band, was performed. This procedure is so new in the world of Dilated Cardiomyopathy treatment that less than 100 had been performed worldwide. Emerson was the fourth Loma Linda patient to have this procedure. This banding allowed her to come off the breathing tube and start eating again. Her heart function improved to about 20%. With these successes, Emerson was moved from 1A status to 1B since she was no longer quite as critical. Then the waiting began.

A close friend of the family reached out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to learn more about the organization and about fundraising for transplant-related expenses. Andrea and Brandon then spoke to their Loma Linda transplant social worker to learn more. On October 15, 2018, the Buskirks officially became part of the COTA Family.

COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA in honor of Emerson are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. COTA uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a community team of trained volunteers. A COTA fundraising specialist travelled to Loma Linda on November 3

to train the family’s volunteers and walk them through the entire process. This group of family members and friends returned to Las Vegas and quickly got to work organizing fundraisers to help with mounting transplant-related expenses.

The months following the Pulmonary Artery Band surgery allowed Emerson’s body to regain strength, allowed her to grow, allowed her to gain weight and allowed her to completely breathe on room air. From what our nurses told us, Emerson was a rare case. When babies need heart transplants, they usually do not look like her. From her appearance alone you never would have known she was so sick. She would light up the hospital room with her gigantic smile and truly loved all the attention she received. She was known as the ‘mood booster’ of the pediatric cardiology floor at Loma Linda. In January our cardiologist wrote to UNOS (the United Network of Organ Sharing) to petition Emerson to go back to 1A status since a heart transplant was her only chance at long-term survival.

We received our life-changing call that a heart was available on January 17, 2019, at 5:46 pm. Emerson was taken to surgery at midnight, and was brought back up at 6:30 am on January 18

. She was extubated right after the transplant. With her now healthy heart, she almost instantly ‘pinked up’ like other babies. Her numbers stabilized. Miraculously she was discharged nine days after her heart transplant.

On February 14, Valentine’s Day, 2019, Andrea posted the following update:

Valentine’s Day has a whole new meaning for us this year, because February 14

is also National Donor Day. Today we are especially thankful for our donor family who gave Emerson a second chance at life. Without families like theirs, our little girl would not be here. They truly gave us a priceless gift. Today I want to bring awareness to the thousands of children and adults who are waiting for a life-saving transplant. I urge you to prayerfully consider becoming an organ donor. Did you know one person alone can save eight people with his/her organs? Emerson required blood transfusions many times throughout her hospital stay. Donating blood is another great way to honor our little girl. Lastly, if you feel so inclined, Emerson was transplanted at six months old. If everyone gave just $6 to COTA for Team Emerson, medications can be provided for Emerson for many, many years to come. The outpouring of love and support we have witnessed over the past months is incredible — it has allowed us to focus on Emerson’s needs and care … and not on the financial stresses of life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Emerson and Andrea remained in Loma Linda until early April and regularly went to nearby clinic appointments to make sure she was doing well. (Brandon had been teaching during the week in Las Vegas and travelling to California on the weekends for several months, which is a transplant-related expense for which COTA funds can be utilized.) They were all able to return home to Las Vegas on April 1, 2019, to resume life as a family of three.

Today Emerson is thriving and is as curious as ever. Andrea and Brandon are elated to have her home and to watch her grow and develop. She continues to love life. Her personality is blossoming with every beat of her amazing new heart. Emerson loves to smile and make funny faces. She loves her kitties, any and all toys that make music and her large collection of stuffed animals.

The COTA fundraising effort in Emerson’s honor has been very successful, which has continued to alleviate many of this young family’s stressors.

According to Brandon, “When we first learned about COTA, it was a relief to see other families who were also in our situation. Through COTA we discovered there is an entire community of transplant families who know exactly what we face each and every day. The

COTA.org

home page provided us tremendous hope because we could read success stories about other COTA heart kids. COTA has allowed us to focus on our family first and not on worrying about how to pay for the resources Emerson needs today … and into the future.”

On Emerson’s first birthday in June, Andrea wrote her this note

My Dearest Emerson,

Today you turn one year old. A birthday we did not know we would ever be able to celebrate with you. The challenges and odds you have had to overcome in your first year of life are greater than most people experience in a lifetime. You have overcome Intubation … Being paralyzed … Two open heart surgeries … A heart transplant … Surgery to drain fluid on your heart … Numerous IVs … Countless blood draws … Numerous blood transfusions … Countless heart tests, CTs and MRIs … Withdrawal from narcotics … A collapsed lung … Doctors saying you might not survive … and so much more. Being your mom and watching you overcome such adversity has been a challenge. They always say having kids teaches you so much. That is an understatement with you. You have taught me how to fight … how to be brave … and how to overcome. Your ‘fighter’ spirit is something I pray lives inside of you forever.

“Emerson becoming a Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) kid continues to be a huge blessing for us. Our world turned upside down after her birth, and we had to move to another state for her care and eventual transplant. COTA provided us comfort regarding the mounting medical bills for our lengthy stay. Now that we are back home, we know Emerson will get the best care possible and continue her recovery without the two of us worrying about the medical bills. It is so reassuring to know that when Emerson inevitably needs another heart transplant, COTA will be there at that point and …

for a lifetime

,” said Andrea and Brandon.

Emerson has not slowed down in any way since her heart transplant. She has shown her Warrior Spirit and has proven she can weather any storm. People comment to Brandon and Andrea frequently that had they not followed her journey or known anything about her health challenges, you would never know what she has been through.

According to Andrea, Emerson is running through life (literally) and shows no signs of slowing down. She is a bundle of energy from the moment her eyes open in the morning. She loves taking her new puppy, Weston, on walks and playing fetch with him. She loves reading books, being chased around the house while letting out full squeals of excitement and dancing to any music she hears (especially if it is Moana!). Emerson is living her life with no abandon.

“While Brandon returned to work in the fall, I stayed home to make sure all of her appointments were always taken care of. We are seeing a delay in eating due to her time in the hospital and are currently working to find the right feeding therapist to help us address these needs,” Andrea said. “We find total comfort knowing COTA funds can be used towards this. That knowledge takes away the financial stress of paying for her necessary therapy and the medications she needs.”

This Valentine’s Day, Emerson will likely be eating her favorite foods and doing her favorite things, which will undoubtedly include dancing, laughing, reading making funny faces and simply being adorable. Andrea and Brandon will be remembering Emerson’s heart donor angel with love.

Happy Valentine’s Day Buskirk Family from your COTA Family!

For more information about the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA),

or to find a COTA family in your area, please email

kim@cota.org

Clara E. Snow of Gloucester City age 74

Clara E. Snow

Surrounded by her family, on February 3, 2020. Age 74. Of Gloucester City. Loving mother of Tina Snow, Marie “Sue” Snow and Richard Snow. Cherished grandmother of Kaitlynn (Bradley) Kaighn, Korin Panichella, Danielle Panichella, Haley Champion (Michael Grubb), Rachel Panichella and Emily Champion and great-grandmother of Alessia, Ian, Joseph, Gia, Julian, Allie and Thomas. Beloved sister of Anna Weaver, Rose Morrow, Frank Morrow, Cathy Gettings, Robert Morrow, Sandy Maffett, and the late Mary Snow. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Clara was born in Camden City, NJ on August 23, 1945 to the late Elmer and Gwendolyn Sailer. She worked many years as a waitress at the Elgin Diner, Black Horse Diner, and Brooklawn Diner.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Monday, February 10

, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Interment will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Clara E. Snow. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph:856-456-1142

Brooklawn School Property 4-Sale; What\’s Up At Paulsboro Marine Terminal? ; Johnny Hockey & Buddy Robinson; New Freeholder; Strike A Pose

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews.net

FOR SALE! BROOKLAWN CHURCH PROPERTY

—The former St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church, 401 Community Drive, Brooklawn which was purchased by the Brooklawn Board of Education for $720,000 in 2014 is up for sale. The asking price is $785,000. The Board had planned on using the buildings for classrooms and administrative offices but the development never materialized.

Gloucestercitynews.net file photo

The property, which is adjacent to the Alice Costello Grammar School, is situated on 2 acres with frontage on U.S. Route 130 south, close to multiple businesses, retail, and other numerous amenities. The listing states it is an ideal property for a daycare, private school, non-profits, professional offices or redevelopment. The total

footage of both buildings is 7,013 square feet.

The broker handling the sale is

Wolf Commercial Real Estate

has offices in South Jersey and Philadelphia.

For More Information Contact Phil Costa (856)-857-6300 or (215)-799-6900

phil.costa@wolfcre.com

WHAT\’S UP AT THE PAULSBORO MARINE TERMINAL ?

—The taxpayer-funded Port of Paulsboro, which opened three years ago, is still only bringing in steel from Russia according to a recent report by

NJ.com

Taxpayers invested $225 million in the Gloucester County property which was touted as the first new marine terminal on the Delaware River in nearly 50 years when it opened in winter 2017. It was formerly a 190-acre petroleum storage field that had to be cleaned up and redeveloped.

(March 7, 2017)–The Delaware River has seen the opening of a first new marine terminal in 50 years with the inauguration of the Paulsboro facility in New Jersey. The $175m Paulsboro Marine Terminal was developed by the South Jersey Port Corp and is being operated by Holt Logistics Corp. Holt has committed more than $12m to the project in the form of cranes, rolling stock and other capital items. The brownfield site, covering 190 acres, used to be a BP tank farm. Located near Philadelphia International Airport, it has 21,000 feet of new rail track and an 850-foot wharf with two more berths planned. With the terminal initially employing 40-50 people, the potential for expansion could see that rise to 200, says the operator. It received its first vessel when bulker Doric Warrior delivered 55,000 tons of steel slabs from Tuapse in Russia for its first tenant, international steel company NLMK USA. (source https://splash247.com/

“This has not yet been the big jobs producer, the big hope we all spoke about years ago,” he said. “I don’t know if there are more than 25 jobs right there right now. My big hope is that all that was talked about years ago come to fruition,\” said Mayor Gary Stevenson.

Officials say phase II of the Paulsboro development is underway and is expected to be completed in 2021. It includes two more wharves, infrastructure improvements and warehouses, which it doesn’t have now.

(Read more)

photo source The Calvary Flames

TIME TO TALK HOCKEY

—Former Gloucester Catholic Hockey Coach Guy Gaudreau, who runs the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell,

explained how he still gives pointers to his elder son, \”Johnny Hockey,\” and his son\’s friend Buddy Robinson. Both his son and Robinson, who presently play for the Calvary Flames, also played for the Gloucester Catholic hockey team when they were students at the school.

In a recent interview with the

Courier Post

, Guy explained how he talked to both players before last Saturday\’s upcoming game

The pair of Flames forwards (Gaudreau from Carneys Point and Robinson from Bellmawr) are the first two players from South Jersey to be teammates in the NHL. There are only 22 players who were born in New Jersey, according to hockey-reference.com, and went on to make it to the NHL. Nine remain active in the league as of this season.

Robinson, a 6-foot-6 right-wing, was playing for the Flames farm team when he got a call-up ahead of the Battle of Alberta with the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday night. Gaudreau and Robinson connected on a give-and-go play that resulted in the second career goal for Robinson, his first tally in the NHL since April 7, 2016.

(Read more)

NEW CAMDEN COUNTY FREEHOLDER

— Barbara Holcomb, was chosen recently to fill the vacant seat on the Camden County Freeholder Board that was held by Susan Shin Angulo, who resigned to become the new mayor of Cherry Hill.

Barbara Holcomb

Holcomb, the former deputy mayor of Winslow, is the vice-chair of the Camden County Democratic organization. She served one term on the Winslow school board before winning a township council seat and was presently serving on the Camden County Board of Taxation before accepting her new appointment.

Holcomb has not yet announced if she will run in a 2020 special election for the remaining 14 months of Shin Angulo’s term. William Tambussi, the counsel to the county Democrats, said that vote was only to fill the immediate vacancy and not to nominate Holcomb as the organization candidate for the June primary. Her ascension to the freeholder seat will create a vacancy on the Camden County Board of Taxation.

Read New Jersey Globe article

RELATED: Holcomb Wins But No One Loses

Gloucestercitynews.net photo

STRIKE A POSE PEYTON!-

-A Crown Chicken store is being added to the Gyro Restaurant at Broadway and Hunter Street, Gloucester City. Presently the store is closed while the renovations are being completed. Peyton saw we were taking pictures and being the \”ham\” she is jumped at the chance to get her photo taken.

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | February 6, 2020

Warhawks Release New EP ‘Stardust Disco’

Gloucester City, NJ (February 2020)–The Warhawks, a local band from Gloucester City announced the release of their new EP ‘Stardust Disco’ which is available on all music platforms. It was released on New Rivals Entertainment.

The six new songs were recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Dave Downham at Gradwell Recording House in Haddon Heights, NJ during the summer and fall of 2019.

If you’re interested in a physical copy (CD), contact the band at thewarhawksnj@gmail.com. CDs will also be available at all shows.

The band would like to thank Stephen F. James for the phenomenal co

ver artwork. Also thanks to Doug Green of New Rivals Entertainment and Kevin Day of Part Time PR for all of the hard work.

Listen to

Stardust Disco

below and connect with The Warhawks on

Facebook

Instagram

and

Twitter

Entertainment

Democratic Candidate Harrison Supports Legalization of Marijuana

[February 5, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] – Last week, Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district, met with leaders at the

National Cannabis Industry Association

. The following is a summary statement Brigid provided regarding her stance on the legalization of cannabis and criminal justice reform:

I support the legalization of regulated buying and selling of marijuana.

The federal government should decriminalize marijuana by removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, because families should not be torn apart due to a loved one being incarcerated on a minor marijuana charge.

It is imperative that the federal government take the lead on this issue. Currently, because of varying state laws, over 31,000 New Jerseyans and 660,000 Americans are arrested each year for doing something that many states have legalized. Federal, state, and municipal governments invest $3.6 billion enforcing marijuana laws, costing governments about $4390 per arrest, while ten states have legalized marijuana. This perpetuates an unequal system in which the poor are often subject to different rules than those who can travel to use marijuana recreationally, and one in which taxpayers are forced to bear the enormous fiscal burden of enforcement.

For me, the most important component of legalization centers on issues of social justice and legal fairness: I support policy that directs the federal courts to expunge prior convictions, allows prior offenders to request expungement with the help of an

expungement attorney

, and requires courts to conduct re-sentencing hearings for those still under supervision. Today prior convictions create a form of economic discrimination that prevent those convicted of low-level marijuana possession charges from attaining employment and may be used against those convicted in civil matters, including in custody

determinations and adoption decisions.

I want to ensure all people are given the same rights and are not discriminated against, so in Washington I will support legislation to prohibit the denial of any federal public benefit because of the possession of marijuana or prior conviction of a marijuana offense.

Another important consideration of legalization centers on social justice and economic fairness. As Congresswoman from the second congressional district, I would support the levying of a 5 percent sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products to create a dedicated revenue stream to assist those negatively impacted by the policy of criminalized marijuana, including job training and re-entry and other services needed by those returning to their communities.

Communities, too, need to be made whole, and small business development grants should be funded to ensure that communities that have paid the price for criminalized marijuana are given the opportunity to thrive and prosper through legalization.

Finally, an important component of legalization involves the creation of a regulatory structure that serves to address the public policy concerns of each cannabis product that would be available to consumers. In Congress, I would support the creation of such a structure housed in existing government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Tobacco Tax Bureau, which are specifically and uniquely qualified address the important public policy questions associated with the legalization various cannabis products.

Arrests for low level marijuana possession have disproportionately decimated the lives of people of color. High levels of incarceration have torn apart families, wreaked havoc on communities, and burdened municipal governments that often are not only charged with enforcing existing drug laws, but then also providing the support for those left behind when a loved one is sent to jail for a low level drug conviction. The implementation of a legalization policy must lead attempt to remedy the injustices that have been perpetrated in the past.