NJ Residents Playing for Kutztown University 2020 Baseball Team

KUTZTOWN, PA (02/20/2020)– Kutztown University will have 26 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2020 season.

The Golden Bears opened their season last weekend, Feb. 15-16, with a four-game split against Chowan University (NC). The wins gave first-year head coach Eric Folmar his first win as a head man in his collegiate debut as a head coach.

Kutztown will next compete Saturday, Feb. 29, at Ohio Dominican for two games beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a game Sunday, March 1, at noon.

Baseball website

Collin Bishop of Clementon (08021)

Connor Teschko of Lumberton (08048)

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

For more information, please visit us at

www.kutztown.edu

Behind The Diocese Of Harrisburg Bankruptcy

By Bill Donohue | CNBNews Contributor

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

the decision of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to declare bankruptcy

In 2018, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro unethically released a grand jury report on Catholic priests and lay people who were accused of sexually abusing minors decades ago—most were never found guilty and some successfully contested the public release of their name (the Catholic League filed an amicus brief in this victory in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court)—the result of which was to spur a debate over suspending the statute of limitations.

The debate has been just as political as the cherry picking of the Catholic Church in seeking a grand jury probe. Last year a state appeals court allowed a case to go forward against the Altoona-Johnstown diocese despite the fact that it was time barred by the statute of limitations. The case is currently being appealed but in the meantime similar cases are being filed.

Similar cases against which institutions? Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Rozzi, who is leading the charge to suspend the statute of limitations, is quoted in the Washington Post as saying it is not just priests who have victimized minors. He mentions \”Amish and Mennonite abusers, schoolteachers, pediatricians, Boy Scout leaders, Penn State\’s Jerry Sandusky, Bill Cosby.\”

Rozzi\’s list is incomplete. He left out many other secular and religious institutions, and he never mentioned the fact that most sexual abuse occurs in the home. And what exactly has he done about it? For example, why has he not lobbied to remove the obscene protections afforded the public schools in Pennsylvania? They are shielded by the doctrine of sovereign immunity: a student has to make a claim within 90 days of the alleged abuse, otherwise the clock runs out.

There are discussions now to include the public schools, but why didn\’t Rozzi demand they be included years ago? Just as important, where are the claims being made against the public schools now that an appeals court is saying that students who were victimized decades ago can proceed in court?

Shapiro is quoted in the Washington Post as saying the Catholic Church \”has refused to reform.\” That is a bald face lie: no institution has undertaken more reforms, with more positive results, than the Church.

When Shapiro released his grand jury report, we found that in the Diocese of Harrisburg, 71 persons were named: 42 were dead and four were missing. Most of those who were still alive were no longer in ministry. In August, the diocese paid 106 people $12 million in compensation; five more settlements have since been reached.

There is a reason the Diocese of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy the day after the Boy Scouts of America did: both have been targeted by lawyers who have a profound hatred of institutions that promote traditional moral values. It is incontestable that no religious organization is known for doing this more than the Catholic Church, and no secular organization can rival the Boy Scouts on this score.

Beginning in the mid-1960s, both the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts dropped their guard and succumbed to a more secular vision of sexuality; it lasted roughly until the early-1980s. They both paid a big price for it. But other religious entities were just as guilty, to say nothing of the public schools. Why are they not filing for bankruptcy? This has nothing to do with kids not being raped by teachers: it has to do with politics. There is no comparable animus against these organizations.

The hypocrisy is serious but not as serious as the injustice: to single out the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts is moral profiling. This is no less invidious than racial profiling.

Congregation Beth El in Voorhees Receives Support from the Investors Foundation Grant Program

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ

–

A $15,000 grant from the Investors Bank’s Foundation is helping Congregation Beth El complete safety and security projects at its Voorhees campus.

Representatives from Investors Bank recently presented a check from the Investors Foundation for $15,000 to Congregation Beth El in Voorhees. Pictured from left, Investors Bank Voorhees branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, Investors Bank assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager Barry Epps, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster, Investors Bank’s senior vice president business lending Christopher P. Warren, Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, Associate Rabbi Andy Green, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, and Congregation Beth El Board President Karen Schlessel.

Congregation Beth El applied for the grant from the Investors Bank Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Congregation Beth El has a rich history in southern New Jersey, beginning with its organization in the Parkside section of Camden in late 1920. The congregation grew significantly over the next 50 years, requiring a move to a larger facility in the late 1960s, and then onto the current location in Voorhees in 2009.

Congregation Beth El is an egalitarian Conservative Synagogue of more than 800 families and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

seeks to create a unique, shared space where everyone can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending; Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager; and branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, presented the check to the leadership of Congregation Beth El.

“We are proud to present Congregation Beth El with this grant in support of its efforts to ensure the safety of its members,” said Warren. “Everyone should feel secure in their ability to participate in worship, education, and the other activities available through Congregation Beth El.”

Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster said, “We are grateful to Investors Bank Foundation for providing the necessary funds to increase security at Beth El. With their support, we were able to implement new protocols offering additional protection to our education programs.

”

“I know I speak for the leadership of our congregation when I say that Investors Bank is aptly named,” exclaimed Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick. “They are investing in our shared future by helping to make our children, and their parents, safe and comfortable here at our school. Our children are our future, and we are proud to be investing in them together.”

“Investors Bank believes in supporting organizations and activities that strengthen the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Epps. “Congregation Beth El plays an important role in our community and we believe we have an obligation to support its efforts.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With nearly $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El seeks to create a unique, shared space where members can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community. Grounded in ex

ploration of Jewish tradition, text, and ritual, Beth El aspires to enrich the lives of its members to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best, and to bring Jews closer to God, Torah and Israel. Congregation Beth El is proud to say it is a community of communities. The congregation is diverse and robust, with many people from many different walks of life. Congregation Beth El welcomes all levels of background and knowledge. For more information, please go to

www.bethelsnj.org.

Lines on the Pines ~ 15th Annual Event ~ \”Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

INDOOR

event

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

the

Stockton University

AMPUS

CENTER

located

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

The

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

a 501

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

Lines on the Pines

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event. Mi

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

, who

will

present

\”

2020 Vision Lead

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

on the Pines

~ 1

Annual Event

\”

Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens

\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

INDOOR

event

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

the

Stockton University

AMPUS CENTER

located

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

The

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

a 501

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

Lines on the Pines

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event. Mi

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

, who

will

present

\”

2020 Vision Lead

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

Power of photojournalism seen in early 20th century exposé on Chicago meat industry

Newswise — AMES, Iowa — A 1905 story not only prompted massive reforms in U.S. food and public health policy as well as Upton Sinclair’s popular novel “The Jungle.” It was also one of the first examples of the power of photojournalism.

In recent research, Emily Kathryn Morgan, assistant professor of

art and visual culture

at Iowa State University, examined a series of articles published in the early 20th century by “The Lancet,” a publication read primarily by British scientists, sanitarians and

Credit: Iowa State University Emily Kathryn Morgan, assistant professor of art and visual culture

physicians. The articles, written by journalist Adolphe Smith, offered a shocking look at Chicago’s meatpacking industry. His articles laid a foundation for the better-known revelations of “The Jungle,” which followed a couple of years later.

Morgan, a photography historian, studied how the same photograph can carry different meanings depending on the text that accompanies it, and how Smith used both photos and text to prove his point “that animal health and worker health deeply affect public health.”

The study was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Food & History. It is one of few studies that has considered photographs of the meat industry.

“The meat industry was much more inclined to allow photographers into their facilities well into the 20th century to help further their cause,” Morgan said. “People used to tour these packing companies and they weren’t upset by what they saw. It was really only when Smith, and then Sinclair, pointed out that they were eating adulterated products that people got grossed out.

“The same things happen today. People can see a lot of really horrifying images … but the biggest scandal is always the public health scandal.”

Smith’s series was one of the first uses of both text and photographs to serve as evidence “to expose a problematic situation to the light of general knowledge,” according to the paper.

History of Chicago’s meat industry

Chicago’s meatpacking district opened in 1865. With the innovation of refrigerated railroad cars, Chicago became a hub of meat processing as packing companies popped up around the stockyards. The area became known as Packingtown.

By the mid-1880s, Chicago was exporting meat overseas, primarily to British markets – which is how Smith became interested in Chicago’s meat industry and related public health issues.

Smith traveled to the U.S. in 1904, heading to Chicago to explore how both animals and humans fared in Packingtown.

He found unsanitary conditions, inhumane treatment of hogs and cattle, and poor worker safety. Smith used photos to bring data and his descriptions to life: “Photos, printed alongside his articles, made his textual claims about public health more believable.”

The aftermath

Smith’s Chicago articles, published in early 1905, had immediate effects. Morgan notes in her study that Chicago’s tinned meat exports dropped by 50% in the months following. American news media caught wind of the controversy, and by August 1905, new food-inspection protocols were in place in Packingtown.

Smith walked author Upton Sinclair through the packinghouses. That tour, combined with Smith’s articles, provided inspiration for “The Jungle,” Sinclair’s novel about the meat industry and working conditions at the time.

By 1906, “The Jungle” had further amplified the issue, leading to a government investigation, revamped food and public health policies, and then-President Theodore Roosevelt signing the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act – which led to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration.

Lasting effects

In 1909, Smith returned to Chicago and reported that the packinghouses had improved.

He realized that photography could serve not only as evidence, but as a powerful tool of persuasion. The meatpacking companies recognized this, too, sending him photos of improved conditions.

This lightbulb moment led to increased use of photography by companies to shape their public image, promote themselves and celebrate industrialization – as well as by critics, who used photography to shed light on problems that should concern the public and enact change.

“We have a greater recognition today that photography creates a sense of immediacy, that it can convey impact,” Morgan said. “It can involve people more than just a written text, and photography in conjunction with text is much more powerful than either one on its own.”

Topping Off Ceremony Held for $184M Patient Tower at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital reached a major milestone on Thursday, February 20th, as a “topping off” ceremony was held for its new $184 million patient tower, slated to open in summer 2021. Jefferson leadership and staff — including Dr. Stephen Klasko, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health — were in attendance, along with NJ state and local officials, as the final beam was lifted by a crane and put in place.

The 7-floor, 243,500-square-foot tower, being named in honor of Jefferson board member and benefactor John P. Silvestri and his family, will feature 90 private patient rooms, a two-story lobby, Same-Day Surgery Unit, roof helipad, café with outdoor dining, and more. The $222 million overall Washington Township hospital campus transformation began in 2018, with construction of an 8-level enclosed parking facility, completed in April 2019.

Shown at the Topping Off ceremony, from left, are

: Stephen M. Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President; Joseph W. Devine, President, Jefferson New Jersey Division and Chief Experience Officer, Jefferson Health; John P. Silvestri, Vice Chairman, Jefferson Health New Jersey Hospital Board of Trustees; Joann Gattinelli, Washington Township Mayor; and John W. Graham, Chief Administrative Officer, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital.

FACE OF DEFENSE: Major Energy Management Project Completed at CG Academy

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The largest Utility Energy Savings Contract ever awarded by the Department of Homeland Security was recently completed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

One of the smallest and most specialized of the nation’s five federal service academies, the Academy has been located in New London since 1910. The institution moved to its present home, a sprawling 103-acre campus on the west bank of the Thames River, back in 1932.

One of the smallest and most specialized of the nation’s five federal service academies, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy campus has been in its present location New London, Conn., since 1932. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi.

The energy savings project, which began in late 2017, has transformed the 87-year old campus into a more resilient, modern and sustainable institution.

The project included $39 million in capital improvements designed to reduce total electricity imported from the grid by nearly 80 percent, reduce overall energy consumption by 48 percent and reduce annual energy costs at the Academy by more than $2 million.

The Academy\’s fuel oil-fired boiler plant was replaced with a high efficiency natural gas plant, and supplemented with a combined heat and power plant that generates one megawatt of electricity onsite with a microturbine engine. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Laughlin.

The project has substantively updated the institution’s energy infrastructure and impacted a number of facilities from student barracks to the academic laboratories. Overall, more than a dozen upgrades were completed in 30 different buildings across campus. “Anytime we can invest in the infrastructure onboard the service’s only accession point for officers we are making an investment in the long term strength of the service,” said Rear Admiral Bill Kelly, Academy Superintendent.

A natural gas plant was included in the project that was supplemented with a combined heat and power plant that generates one megawatt of electricity onsite with a micro-turbine generator. The result greatly improves the reliability of the Academy’s electrical systems and increases the institution’s energy resiliency.

In addition, the project incorporated renewable and onsite energy generation and implemented numerous energy and water conservation measures, lighting improvements, and the installation of rooftop solar arrays.

One of the main outcomes of the project is that the overall energy savings takes the Academy, previously the third largest consumer of energy within the U.S. Coast Guard, out of the service’s top 10 energy consumer list altogether.

The institution worked with the energy company Eversource and subcontractor Ameresco to manage the project which is funded through energy cost savings. According to Eversource, the improvements will reduce the Academy’s carbon emissions by around 7,800 metric tons of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to taking more than 1,600 cars off the road.

FACE OF DEFENSE

AMERICAN HERO

The Community of Lodi Awarded Veteran Friendly Municipality Certification

From left, appearing in photo: Councilmen Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., mayor Scott A. Luna, Peter Lupo and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin. Photo by Paul Roe

[Lodi, New Jersey – February, 2020] Lodi was presented with the Veteran Friendly Municipality Certification this evening by Peter Lupo of the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce. During a brief ceremony at the start of the regular borough council meeting, Mr. Lupo presented the certificate to Lodi mayor, Scott Luna, councilmen, Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin.

The borough clerk,Carole D’amico, municipal manager, Vincent Caruso, and several other members of the Lodi government were also on hand at the council meeting.

Mr. Lupo praised the borough for its recognition of the challenges faced by veteran owned businesses and for the hardships veterans often face when trying to find meaningful employment. He added that Lodi goes beyond words and takes action to make substantive improvements to economic opportunities for veteran businesses in the community.

The certificate reads, in part, “This municipality strives to make the lives of veterans better and is therefore awarded the Veteran Friendly Municipality designation for 2020”.

Municipalities earn the certification by passing a resolution to award 6% of public contract dollars to veteran owned businesses and to achieve workforce composed of 5% veterans. The Lodi resolution also provides for 3 veteran only parking spaces in municipal parking areas and a promise by the township to proactively notify veteran businesses of upcoming bids and contract opportunities. To date, the certification has been presented to Paramus, Hackensack, Garfield, South Hackensack, Rochelle Park, Fairview, Garfield, Marlboro Township, South Plainfield, Union City, Freehold, and a continually growing list of municipalities.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote by the borough council. It will give veterans a chance to be more competitive for public bids and contracts

The mayor and council accepted the certificate from the chamber and paused a moment for a group photo.

The New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a 501c6 nonprofit organization focused on making New Jersey’s economy fairer to veteran owned businesses, as well as veteran job creation.

###

NJ TRANSIT Makes Advancement in Positive Train Control Project

FRA Gives Approval for Revenue Service Demonstration to Begin

NEWARK

– The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has given NJ TRANSIT approval to begin Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) of its Positive Train Control (PTC) system, moving NJ TRANSIT one-step closer to meeting the

federally mandated deadline of PTC certification by December 31, 2020.

“Entering the RSD phase of PTC is a major milestone and a testament to the incredible work by our employees working around the clock with our contractors to ensure this important safety technology implementation remains on schedule,”

said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.

“Two years ago, we had just 10 months to take the project from only 12-percent to 100-percent complete toward the December 31, 2018 federally mandated interim milestone for installation – we were successful. With this announcement, and the continued support from the FRA, I’m confident we will meet the December 31, 2020 federal deadline for full implementation of PTC.”

The FRA’s approval allows NJ TRANSIT to initiate RSD on the Morristown Line between Summit and Denville. Previously, field testing has been conducted on test trains that did not carry customers. During RSD, NJ TRANSIT’s current safety technology called Automatic Train Control (ATC) will remain active and will not be affected by the testing.

NJ TRANSIT continues to conduct and expand its non-revenue testing on its other rail lines and is working collaboratively with Amtrak and freight operators to ensure interoperability of all PTC systems.

In December 2018, NJ TRANSIT marked 100-percent completion of the FRA’s 2018 year-end milestone for PTC that included installation on 282 locomotives and cab cars, 326 miles of wayside infrastructure such as poles and antennas and trained 1,745 employees.

Measure Brings the Project a Step Closer to Full Funding Grant Agreement for Replacement of 109-Year-Old Bridge

NJ TRANSIT is commending the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) decision to give an improved project rating to a proposed replacement of the Portal Bridge. The 109-year-old swing span over the Hackensack River, and its history of mechanical breakdowns, has long been a chokepoint for rail customers travelling the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between New Jersey and New York City.

“From day one, my administration has worked closely with our congressional delegation and Secretary Chao’s team to enhance this critical project that cannot wait another day — we have committed the entirety of New Jersey’s local share in the form of $600 million in EDA bonds, completed critical early construction work and developed shovel-ready plans for major construction. Today’s decision by USDOT puts us one step closer toward our ultimate goal; replacing this unreliable, century-old bridge and reducing delays for NJ TRANSIT customers,”

said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

“New Jersey remains ready and willing to work cooperatively as a full partner to ensure that this project, which affects the commutes of tens of thousands of our residents daily, is completed as expeditiously as possible.”

“We are very thankful that the FTA has improved its rating of the critical Portal North Bridge project,”

said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia.

“A new bridge will significantly increase reliability for the 200,000 daily Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT customers that cross the Hackensack River each day. We thank our partners at NJ TRANSIT for their leadership, FTA and DOT for their cooperation, and all of our federal and state champions in New Jersey, New York and across the country for their continued support as we look forward to progressing this critical element of the Gateway Program.”

“Any rail customer that commutes between New Jersey and New York City will attest to the importance of the reliability this bridge has on the quality of their daily lives,”

said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez- Scaccetti.

“This antiquated bridge remains a single point of failure on the NEC, which makes its replacement a top priority. We’re grateful that the USDOT recognizes how critical this link is to the economic viability of this region and look forward to getting construction underway as soon as possible.”

“We are extremely pleased with the USDOT’s decision to advance the Portal North Project closer to a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). This critical project can’t wait any longer as this nearly 110-year-old bridge is a frequent source for delays and frustration for our nearly 90,000 customers who travel to and from Penn Station New York every day,”

said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.

“We thank the USDOT, and our partners at the FTA and FRA, for their support of this shovel-ready project that will increase capacity and ensure reliability for the more than 450 NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains a day that cross the Portal Bridge.”

In September 2019, NJ TRANSIT, as the Project Sponsor in partnership with Amtrak, submitted a revised financial plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The revised plan was adjusted to reflect FTA and USDOT feedback on a previous submissions, making more local money available for the project while keeping costs in check. NJ TRANSIT and the state of New Jersey doubled the share of local funding toward the project, increasing the state’s contribution from $300 million to $600 million dollars.

Advancing the Portal North Bridge Project towards construction is critical to eliminating the major disruptions to train service on the NEC between Newark, New Jersey and New York Penn Station. The NEC is the busiest passenger rail line in the United States, and a long-term outage of the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River would result in catastrophic delays from Boston to the nation’s capital.

Between NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, more than 450 trains a day cross the current Portal Bridge carrying passengers making almost 200,000 daily trips. NJ TRANSIT alone carries approximately 90,000 customers (180,000 passenger trips) between New Jersey and New York City on an average weekday. The bridge regularly opens to allow for marine traffic to pass, and each opening causes delays on both lines. When the 109-year-old bridge fails to properly close, the delays cascade to affect tens of thousands of customers and their families.

The replacement Portal North Bridge is designed as a high-level, fixed span bridge that will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic. The project is one hundred percent designed, fully permitted, and has seen early work completed on time and under budget. These successes make it especially well-positioned to begin construction to provide increased reliability and capacity to rail passengers throughout the region and nation in the near-term.

Once full construction begins, the remainder of the Portal North Bridge Project is estimated to take approximately five years.

*Gloucester City St. Patrick\’s Parade, Sunday, March 1

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ– The NJ Irish Society presents events and initiatives year-round as part of paying tribute to our strong history of tradition. Based in the heart of Gloucester City, NJ Irish Society was formally founded in 2019 after serving the community as a whole for decades, with our event roster featuring the sensational

“can’t miss” Irish Parade

and growing series of cultural programming and festivities.

The New Jersey Irish Society is vested in sustaining a vibrant community with excellent quality of life for the residents and visitors. Gloucester City has a rich history of Irish heritage dating back to the 1600’s when Irish Quakers first settled in the Town of Gloucester, now known as Gloucester City. That tradition continues today with the City ranking 9th in the nation for Irish American population.

The New Jersey Irish Society is working closely with the City of Gloucester, Camden County, area businesses, community groups and residents to keep these traditions alive in our community. \”We began in 2016 with our inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade, which brought thousands to the City and its businesses to celebrate the holiday. We are thrilled to be celebrating our 5th Anniversary as South Jersey’s not-to-be-missed parade extravaganza, featuring the best in entertainment!\”

This year\’s parade is being held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 starting at 1PM. The parade route begins at Martin\’s Lake, Johnson Blvd and Baynes Avenue to the end of Monmouth Street ending at King Street.

The Irish of Gloucester City Celebrate The 100th Anniversary of Irish Independence

Sunday, March 06, 2016

UPDATE SEE MORE PHOTOS Photo (s) Credit CNBNews Staff The Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, Bishop of the Camden Diocese, (center) and Monsignor William Hodge, (left) Pastor of St. Mary\’s Parish, Gloucester City lead the…