NORWESCAP AND THE TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG PARTNER TO REVITALIZE THE SOUTH MAIN STREET DISTRICT

$125,000 Awarded by New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to Fund Revitalization

Phillipsburg, New Jersey, February 26, 2020

– The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJ DCA) has approved a plan, jointly developed by the Town of Phillipsburg and Norwescap, to make improvements in the South Main Street District. The plan included input from hundreds of local residents, business leaders, elected officials and community-based organizations.

Through its ‘Neighborhood Preservation Program, the NJ DCA will provide the Town of Phillipsburg with $125,000 in funding to focus on branding the district, coordinating and expanding events, and attracting complementary businesses through micro-grant opportunities. In addition, strategies will be deployed to improve the look, feel and function of public spaces and foster a vibrant business district by connecting the “downtown” area with nearby parks and trails for biking and walking and by linking tourist attractions (such as the popular Delaware River Railroad Excursions) with local retail shops and eateries. The funding is renewable for up to four years.

The plan, authored by Norwescap and its partners at New Jersey Community Capital, has been cited as an example for other municipalities to follow. Jef Buehler, NJ DCA NPP Administrator said of the NPP Plan, “Your South Main Implementation Plan both fully meets and exceeds our requirements and is being used as a ‘best practice’ model for other NPP communities working with us in New Jersey. All who have seen and reviewed the South Main Implementation Plan, both at DCA and in other communities, have been very impressed”.

Norwescap and the Town of Phillipsburg have entered into a shared services agreement to implement the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) program. For both entities, this District is a priority and its designation as a Neighborhood Preservation area is anticipated to leverage more than 1 million in public and private funds for projects for the next four years. Norwescap has two additional initiatives in the South Main Street District – the Parnassus Neighborhood Plan created as part of NJ DCA’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program, and the Community Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) program. These two programs and, Norwescap’s long history as a trusted social service provider, will ensure that additional resources and programs will enhance these efforts in the South Main Street District.

“We are honored to be given the opportunity to work with the Town of Phillipsburg on this project,” said Norwescap’s CEO, Mark Valli. “Together we can leverage our collective assets and resources to build a vibrant and thriving District. There are over 120,000 visitors to the Phillipsburg area and the goal of this program is to spark efforts to attract food and retail options or events that build on visitors’ experience while in Phillipsburg. Building a strong commercial District will improve the quality of life for local residents.”

Residents and visitors will soon begin to see improvements along the South Main District from Market Street to McKeen Street and an increase of events at Walters and Shappell Parks.

One way to become involved in this transformation is to join Norwescap and the Town of Phillipsburg Police Department for the 2nd Annual Community Day of Action planned for Saturday, April 18th. “The Phillipsburg Day of Action is a positive way for anyone to get involved in improving their community,” said NPP Coordinator Mary Jo Harris. “Last year we had students, retirees, elected officials, police officers, and a host of residents pitching in to beautify our community, this year will be bigger and better.”

If you would like more information on the NPP program or the 2nd Annual Community Day of Action please contact Mary Jo Harris at

harrism@norwescap.org

or call Mary Jo at 908-454-7000, Ext. 1136.

About Norwescap

Norwescap provides vital services to over 30,000 individuals and families in need in Northwest New Jersey. Our programs include strategies that address the critical areas of education, health and wellness, employment, housing, volunteerism, and financial capacity building. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to achieving the mission of creating opportunities to transform lives through innovative programs and partnerships. For more information, please visit

www.norwescap.org

State of New Jersey Diverts Tax Dollars Allocated to 911 System Improvements

By Emily S. Moore |

The Center Square

A decade ago, a fee was placed on every New Jersey resident’s phone bill to be allocated to improving the state’s out-of-date 911 system.

However, only 10 to 15 percent of those funds is used to upgrade the three state-operated 911 centers, John G. Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties, said in an interview with The Center Square.

“The 197 or so the county and municipal 911 centers have not received any funding from the state during this time and have been forced to rely on the use of local property taxpayer dollars to fund 911 system upgrades,” he said.

The funds, instead, have been diverted for general operating expenses at the Department of Law and Public Safety. The diversions prohibit New Jersey from applying for millions of dollars in grants from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to upgrade 911 systems.

Donnadio said the solution to improving New Jersey’s 911 system is a technology called Next Generation 911 (NexGen 911).

“All 911 centers (public safety answering points) across the country must enhance their systems with NextGen 911 technology, which is an upgrade from analog to digital or Internet Protocol (IP) technologies,” he said.

The current system dates to the 1980s and can give incorrect location data and have trouble locating cell phone callers.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that NextGen 911 could save more than 10,000 lives annually if implemented nationwide.

In New Jersey, the 90-cent tax on phone bills was implemented in 2004 by the state Legislature to upgrade the 911 system, bringing in an average of $124 million a year.

In January, state officials held a news conference in Trenton to ask for diversions of funds that should be used for 911 system improvements to stop.

“That money has ended up in the black hole of the state budget,” Sen. Michael Testa, R-Vineland, said

in an interview

with

NJ.com

. “It’s long past time for the state to do the right thing.”

published by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Camp Invention Summer STEM Program Coming to Charles G. Harker School

Nationally Recognized Program Inspires Local K-6 Students to Become Confident Problem Solvers

Woolwich Twp, NJ February 25, 2020

Camp Invention®

, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment camp program, is coming to Charles G. Harker School the week of July 27 – July 31, 2020.

A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to find their inner inventor by learning the process of innovation. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship in a fun and engaging environment.

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nations most world-changing inventors the NIHF Inductees. This years Elevate curriculum features several video challenges from these Inductees encouraging children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovativeness. These hands-on activities include:

Camp Invention Flight Lab:

Imaginations soar as children learn about flight with gliders, rockets, heliballs and hand-copters. They build a cityscape from upcycled materials, navigate planes through a storm and take apart a robot.

Design Thinking Project:

Campers learn the value of their creativity as they bring their biggest ideas to life. To become successful innovators, they create sketches, build prototypes, design logos and find out how to pitch their invention while protecting their intellectual property.

Rescue Squad:

Using teamwork and problem-solving skills, children protect the Earths ecosystems. Inspiring activities include creating pods to compete in zipline races, exploring energy conservation, eliminating pollution and helping wildlife in habitats across the country.

Camp Invention Champions:

As they discover the unseen inventors behind their favorite sports, campers apply their own ingenuity. They trade inventor playing cards, create and play their own high-energy hover-ball games, and design and build the ultimate sports complex.

At the end of the program, each camper will bring home a robot! Learn more about this years

all-new curriculum.

All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and taught by certified educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves 130,000 students every year and partners with more than 1,800 schools and districts across the nation. For additional information or to find a camp near you, visit

invent.org/camp

About Camp Invention:

Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention. Through hands-on programming, Camp Invention encourages children entering kindergarten through sixth grade to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum inspired by some of the world\’s greatest inventors. Since 1990, our education programs have served more than 1.5 million children, and 170,000 teachers and Leadership Interns. Regional program sponsors include the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Nordson Corporation Foundation, NAVAIR – Lakehurst and ShurTech Brands, LLC.

*McDonald’s Gospelfest Presents Fabulous 2020 Lineup

Yolanda Adams straight from her performance of the National Anthem at Superbowl 54, Kelly Price & Hezekiah Walker;

Gospel Legend Tremaine Hawkins, Deitrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds,

a Special Guest Appearance by Erica Campbell,

plus, Group Fire, Tiffany Andrews and more

Newark, NJ –The 38th Annual McDonald’s Gospelfest returns to the Prudential Center Arena (25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ) on Saturday, May 9th for the gospel event of the year

. All-Star Gospel line up Yolanda Adams, Kelly Price, Hezekiah Walker with his Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir, Tremaine Hawkins, Deitrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds, a Special Guest Appearance by Erica Campbell, plus, Group Fire and Tiffany Andrews

This will be a special night that no one will want to miss. The Governor of New Jersey, the Mayor of Newark and other dignitaries,and surprise guests will be on hand as well.

McDonald’s Gospelfest tickets are on sale now at the Prudential Center Box Office or online at

www.ticketmaster.com

. Or call the Prudential Center Box Office at 973 757 6000

The 2020 line-up includes:

Yolanda Adams

After twelve albums, five Grammys and performing for several U. S. presidents, she still wows audiences all over the world. Her dazzling rendition of the National Anthem was the hit of this year’s Superbowl. Ever since her 1988 debut album, “Just As I Am.” Yolanda Adams is renowned for pioneering the blend of modern gospel music infused with soul and jazz. For decades, she has empowered fans through her inspirational and contemporary music.

Her albums have earned her multiple awards from music’s highest honors such as the Stellars, Grammys, BMI, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image, BET, and more. In 2001, she opened a new category and was the first artist to receive an American Music Award for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist.” Although the Gospel Music Association has continuously honored Yolanda through multiple Dove Awards, on May 9, 2017, she was inducted into GMA’s Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. In addition to being a gospel superstar, she has reigned on radio airwaves for more than ten years as the host of her own show, “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” which has been heard in over sixty markets nationally.

Kelly Price

Nine-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Kelly Price is the second of three daughters, born and raised in Queens, New York, in the church. Price has collaborated with the likes of Mariah Carey, George Michael, Elton John, The Isley Brothers, The Clark Sisters, Brian McKnight and Sean \”Diddy\” Combs as well as Faith Evans, Yolanda Adams, the late Whitney Houston, Donnie McClurkin, Eric Clapton, Shirley Ceasar, Fantasia, Jay-Z, Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Bonnie Raitt, the late James Brown and the list goes on and on. She has taken her talents to the screen and stage with roles in Soul Food, the series, Bringing Down the House and the stage plays Why Did I Get Married? Kelly Price can currently be seen as a series regular for the critically acclaimed Drama American Soul now in its second season which tells the life story of the late Don Cornelius and how he launched the iconic television show and global brand “Soul Train”. Price has also been given the distinguished honor of joining the iconic panel of Judges for Sunday’s Best for the second time now in its 10th season.

Hezekiah Walker

Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, composer and choir leader Hezekiah Walker, known as \”the hip-hop pastor,” has brought many young people to gospel and choir music and has shown that he has no problem using modern vernacular and recording techniques to expand his fan and worship base. Pastor Walker’s following is worldwide. Since 1985 he has released more than 15 albums, garnering 10 Grammy nominations and two wins. For more than a decade, Pastor Hezekiah has anchored Afternoon Drive on New York’s WLIB 1190, bringing star power, conversation and inspiration to millions of loyal listeners.

Tramaine Hawkins

An American award–winning Gospel singer whose career spans over five decades. Since beginning her career in 1966, Tramaine has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, 19 Stellar Awards , NAACP Image Award, BMI Award. At the age of 17, Hawkins sang on the Edwin Hawkins Singers Choir\’s single \”Oh Happy Day\”. With her distinctive soprano and extensive vocal range, she became better known as a featured soloist with late husband Walter Hawkins Love Center Choir as well as the Hawkins Family. Hawkins scored several hits as a solo artist in the 1980s while signed to Light Records, and released now-classic albums, such as her 1979 self-titled debut, Tramaine, and its 1983 follow-up Determined. Songs such as \”Changed,\” \”Goin Up Yonder\”, \”He\’s That Kind Of Friend\”, Jesus Christ Is The Way\” and \”Highway\” quickly became staples and fan favorites.

Deitrick Haddon

A gospel singer, songwriter, music producer, pastor, and actor. He is best known for progressive gospel, and contemporary styles of music. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, four BET Awards and an NAACP Image Award. He is also one of the cast members in Oxygen\’s reality television show Preachers of L.A.

Jonathan McReynolds

A gospel musician. Hailed as one of the leaders of the new school of gospel, he has garnered millions of fans worldwide and broken new ground for gospel in mainstream media. He began his music career in 2012 with the release of Life Music via Entertainment One Music. He has had two #1 Billboard Gospel Albums since with Life Music: Stage Two and Make Room, eight Stellar Awards, a GMA Dove Award and three Grammy Award nominations.

Erica Campbell

A Grammy winning urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B and contemporary R&B recording artist, musician and radio host. She started her music career in 1998 with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as part of the gospel music group, Mary Mary. Her solo music career began in 2013 and has since released two albums with Entertainment One Music, which both charted on the Billboard magazine charts. She won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th edition of the event. Since May 2016, she serves as the host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell with comedian Griff, that currently airs on Urban Gospel, which is owned by Radio One.

Group Fire

Nominated in 2018 for a Stellar Award for Quartet of the Year for their project “Join the Praise Party”. This project has help catapult them onto the main stage in gospel music. As a result, the quartet has worked closely with Producer Steve Cooper and followed up with their 2019 single “Again”. This single is from their forthcoming project entitled “Heal the Land”. Group Fire’s single has charted in the top 20 on Billboard and has remained in the top 30 for over 28 weeks. This song has also helped Group Fire receive two Stellar Award nominations for Duo/Chorus Group of the Year and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year. In addition, the “Again” video is actively seen on BET Gospel.

Tiffany Andrews

was the fans favorite of BETs Sundays Best Season 9. She hails from Newark NJ, known for her powerhouse vocals she’s an anointed preacher and singers who loves people and ministry.

About Producer, Director A. Curtis Farrow

2020 marks the 22nd year Mr. Farrow has joined with McDonald’s to bring this phenomenal celebration to life. He has received two Emmy awards for producing McDonald’s Gospelfest 2000 and 2001 and eleven nominations in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 through 2014, 2016 and 2017. In February of 2014, Mr. Farrow fulfilled a longtime dream by organizing and leading 1171 voices to break the Guinness World Record for World\’s Largest Gospel Choir. He has since produced a 2000 voice choir at Madison Square Garden and a 5000voice choir for at the Nassau Coliseum. he was responsible for the organization, planning and execution of the home going services for the Late Whitney Houston and most recently he produced the homegoing services for the Late Aretha Franklin which was seen around the world. Mr. Farrow credits everything in his life to his strong belief in God.

About McDonald’s Gospelfest

McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corporation and the McDonald’s New York Metro Owner/Operator Association. Over thirty years later, it has emerged as the nation’s preeminent Gospel celebration, bringing joy, inspiration, encouragement and hope to millions of Americans. Previous McDonald’s Gospelfest participants have gone on to successful careers in entertainment, including the renowned Bishop Hezekiah Walker.

About McDonald’s New York Tri-State Restaurants

McDonald’s serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. There are more than 560 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by 65 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area.

*The Camden County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau

Did you know that any school, library, civic organization, gardening club within Camden

County can request a speaker. The Camden County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau will be glad to come out this winter or spring to give a talk.

The list of available talks and the request form is on our website,

https://mastergardenerscamdencounty.org/speakers-bureau/

Is Your Business Prepared to Negotiate the Hybrid Cloud Skills Gap?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 26, 2020)–Today\’s IT specialists are working overtime to garner fast-evolving skills. That\’s why industry leaders are reaching out to third-party hybrid cloud experts.

Many business operators consider the hybrid cloud a significant asset. That’s largely because it allows work product to seamlessly move between public and private clouds in a cost-effective and secure fashion. This best-of-both-worlds flexibility offers an uptick in data deployment possibilities. But one of the challenges industry leaders continue to face is that navigating the hybrid cloud calls for particular skills many in-house IT teams have yet to acquire.

In fact, a recent Cloud Complexity Management survey found that nearly 50 percent of upper-management decision-makers indicated working in the cloud was increasingly more complex. And 42 percent of the 504 cloud professionals polled stated that having appropriately trained talent was the best solution to negotiating the cloud. As technology rapidly advances, it’s likely that working in the cloud will prove even more beneficial. Profit-generating improvements, however, are likely to be coupled with the need for additional skills development. In order to overcome the growing skills gap, it’s essential that business leaders answer some crucial questions before attempting to negotiate the hybrid cloud.

Elevate Services Group provides

managed IT services in Denver

and shares some insights into addressing the cloud skills group.

How Much Time Will You Spend in the Cloud?

Cloud utilization varies between industry sectors and unique outfits. Some organizations see the hybrid cloud as a layover along a journey to a permanent and fully public cloud. Other companies envision the hybrid cloud as a perfect fit for goal achievement. It’s important to conduct high-level discussions between the management team, in-house IT staff, and a third-party expert to determine whether your organization is best served lingering in the hybrid cloud or setting down roots.

Are You Prepared to Make Long-Term Cloud Decisions?

Having management, IT, and a third-party hybrid cloud expert together creates an environment for fruitful discussion. Outfits with in-house technicians can speak to the current state of the technology, and third-party experts generally have the pulse of where the cloud is heading. This gives CEOs and entrepreneurs the definition necessary to make informed decisions.

The bedrock of those decisions calls for determining the company’s needs. As communication and networking become increasingly complicated, specific tasks may be better served to migrate to the public cloud. Others, such as sensitive data, maybe best guarded by heightened cybersecurity of your own network. Although concerns of the public cloud being less-than-secure have been somewhat exaggerated, it’s up to you and your team to bring cybersecurity into the discussion. At the end of the day, how you proceed will be driven by wide-ranging business needs.

Do You Know the Infrastructure Realities?

Hybrid cloud productivity can be streamlined by employing advanced backup tools that underscore an infrastructure that is hyper-converged. In-house IT teams are usually open to the efficiency benefits infrastructure solutions deliver. This tends to be an area where skills gaps also exist. Decision-makers would be well served to consider forward-thinking infrastructure in the context of developing necessary skills. It’s crucial to keep a candid dialogue about skills on the table as you work through hybrid cloud development.

What Are Your Team’s Present Skills?

The wide-ranging skills required to be considered an expert in any sliver of the IT world can be quite humbling. Consummate professionals understand that fast-improving technologies have a ripple effect across the industry in terms of skill development. It goes without saying that no IT team can do it all, and that’s one of the reasons a hybrid skill gap has emerged.

Before diving into the hybrid cloud, it’s worthwhile to take an honest inventory of the in-house team\’s skills. Then, identify what development is needed to bring your valued employees int the future. Other solutions may be outsourcing to a hybrid cloud specialist or short-term staff augmentation. The point is that once you understand where this journey is going and the skill sets of your team members, you’ll have a clear picture of how to succeed.

According to the Cloud Complexity Management study, 49 percent of industry professionals said that training was the best way to address unexpected complexities, and 32 percent pointed to effective people.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

New Jersey American Water to Start Annual Spring Cleaning

Water main flushing begins this month and continues through the fall

New Jersey American Water’s Travis Serles flushing a hydrant in the company’s Delran service area. (Photo Credit: New Jersey American Water)

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. – FEB. 26, 2020 –

Beginning March 2 and into the summer months

New Jersey American Water

will perform the annual cleaning of its water distribution system to ensure customers continue to receive high-quality, reliable water service. Flushing the system helps to clean out any buildup of mineral deposits and sediment inside the pipes. The company also flushes its hydrants to make sure they are operational and to check fire flows in the system.

Flushing involves simultaneously opening fire hydrants in a specific area to create increased water flows. The service areas and dates when flushing begins are posted at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under

Alerts

While water mains are being cleaned, customers may notice short periods of low water pressure or discolored water. If customers experience temporary water discoloration, New Jersey American Water recommends running the cold water until it is clear. The following steps are also encouraged:

Draw water for cooking prior to the flushing period.

Store a large bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking.

Check for discolored water before using the washing machine or dishwasher.

If water pressure or water volume seems low after flushing has been completed, check faucet screens for trapped particles.

In addition to

viewing the schedule

on the company’s website, customers also have the option to be updated on the local flushing schedule via phone call, text or email by enrolling in New Jersey American Water’s CodeRED customer notification system at

www.amwater.com/myaccount

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

AG\’s from New Jersey, New York and Others Suing EPA Over Pollution from Other States

By Kim Jarrett |

The Center Square

The attorneys general of New York, New Jersey and three other states are accusing the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA) of violating the Clean Air Act by not addressing pollution that is coming from other states.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York is asking the court require the EPA to propose and adopt a plan addressing the problem and set a specific date.

New Jersey is leading the lawsuit that also includes Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New York City.

The governments say upwind sources from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia are creating ground-level ozone filled with harmful nitrogen oxide that can cause coughing, throat irritation and lung damage, according to a statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James. People with asthma, bronchitis and heart disease may have additional problems because of the pollution.

The lawsuit also contends that the EPA’s failure to address the issue “places unfair economic and administrative burdens on certain Plaintiff states.”

James said the EPA is refusing to address the problem and the pollution is going unaddressed.

“The transport of air pollution from upwind states continues to threaten the health and safety of New Yorkers,” James said.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said it’s time for the EPA to “live up to its legal duty.”

“We already beat EPA in court and won an order demanding the federal government tackle out-of-state pollution, and yet EPA still did not act,” Grewal said in a statement. “Enough is enough: this is a serious environmental and public health problem, and it demands a serious response from Washington.”

The EPA, in

a news release

, stated that 2019 data showed significant decreases in pollutants from power plants.

“Under President [Donald] Trump, our economy continues to grow, and we are enjoying ever-improving air quality,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said. “Through state and federal fulfillment of the Clean Air Act, as well as advances by the power sector, we have seen significant reductions in key pollutants. Notably, annual emissions of [sulfur dioxide] from the power sector fell 23 percent and are below 1 million tons for the first time in modern history.”

The EPA also noted declines in pollutant levels from nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and mercury.

\”The annual data show a 23 percent decline in [sulfur dioxide] emissions compared to 2018, a 14 percent decline in [nitrogen oxide] emissions, an 8 percent decline in [carbon dioxide] emissions, and a 13 percent decrease in [mercury emissions] emissions,\” the news release said. \”Additionally, ozone season [nitrogen oxide] emissions dropped by 13 percent. During this time period, electric generation from these power plants decreased by 3 percent.\”

The states have successfully sued the EPA before, but the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled last October that the agency’s proposed solution was inadequate and invalid and the agency breached its duty to hold the upwind states accountable.

The court ruled again in November the EPA should develop a solution under the “Good Neighbor Provision” of the Clean Air Act. The EPA has not done so, the complainants said in their lawsuit.

The attorneys general say the court must rule before the 2020 ozone season begins in May. They are asking the court to create a federal plan for each of the upwind states and award the plaintiff’s the cost of the attorney’s fees.

“EPA’s failure to take immediate action will prolong harms to the state plaintiffs and the health of our residents from high ozone levels, and foreclose the ability of plaintiff states to demonstrate attainment of the 2008 NAAQs by the July 2021 deadline,” the attorneys general say in their lawsuit.

published by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Altman sells out Cory Booker Says James Beach & Barbara Holcomb

Last week, instead of standing with New Jersey\’s progressive champion Cory Booker, paid political protester and lifelong Republican Sue Altman decided to stand with his opponent.

Cory has been a persistent advocate for South Jersey and true progressive in the Senate on issues such as civil rights, social justice, and environmental protection. When Donald Trump abused his power as President, Cory stood up to Senate Republicans and fought for a fair impeachment trial. We are proud to support Cory Booker for another term in the Senate and disappointed that Altman once again put her personal political calculations ahead of reelecting one of the most progressive leaders in New Jersey. Although we find Altman\’s stance disconcerting, it is unsurprising considering she failed to vote for Cory Booker in 2013 as he became our first African American United State Senator from New Jersey. In fact, Altman failed to vote in the Primary Elections for Democrat candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barbara Buono, Jon Corzine, and Jim McGreevey because she had been a lifelong registered Republican.

Sincerely,

James Beach & Barbara Holcomb

NY Man Charged with Seeking Sex Online with ‘Underage Girl’

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 42-year-old Staten Island man has been charged with attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with someone he

met online and believed was a 14-year-old girl.

In reality though, John Emilio, of the 600 block of Wooley Avenue, was communicating with a detective from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit. During the investigation, Emilio sent nude pictures of his genitals, said he was very excited that he would be having sex with a girl so young, and looked forward to taking her virginity.

Emilio was charged with Attempted Luring (Second Degree), Providing Obscene Material to Person Under 18 (Third Degree) and Attempting to Debauch the Morals of a Child (Third Degree).

Emilio became a suspect in November during a BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit proactive investigation into the exploitation of children in cyberspace. He had discussed coming to Burlington County to have sex with the girl, either at a Route 130 motel or inside of his vehicle, but the trip never materialized.

Emilio was taken into custody yesterday at his residence following the execution of a search warrant. He waived extradition and will be brought to New Jersey in the near future. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. Emilio will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy.

The investigation was a cooperative effort involving the New York City Police Department Computer Crimes Squad, which is a member of the New York City Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistance was provided by United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office, the Cinnaminson Township Police Department and the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office in New York.

The lead investigator was BCPO Detective Sergeant Dave Kohler, who oversees the High-Tech Crimes Unit.

The Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit and the Cinnaminson Township Police Department are members of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The BCPO also belongs to the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

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