Philadelphia Bar Association Calls for an End to Unwarranted Attacks on the U.S. Judiciary

Encourages All Americans to Speak Up in Defense of the Constitution and Our Country’s Democratic Principles

PHILADELPHIA, PA –

In response to recent, unwarranted attacks on the U.S. Judiciary, Chancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (ret.) of the

Philadelphia Bar Association

, the nation’s oldest metropolitan Bar Association, issued the following statement:

“As the nation’s oldest metropolitan Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association has always considered certain principles to be imperatives of this Association and of the legal profession. We believe that the rule of law and an independent judiciary are cornerstones of a democracy and of a civilized society.

“Unless these structures and principles are vibrant, and unless we vigorously defend their existence, the dream of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people begins to crumble.

“The rule of law demands that each individual, whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, understands that the law is applied equally to them. We cannot have two systems of justice, one for the rich and connected and one for everyone else.

“Our Constitution provides for a separation of powers through a system of checks and balances which ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

“An independent judiciary is a necessity if we are to function as a democracy and not as an authoritarian society. Judges need to know that their lawful judgments will be upheld, and that their very legitimacy may not be questioned. Under the rule of law, the way to question or challenge a judicial determination or Order is through an appellate review process.

“Recently, we have seen a course of conduct, including communications meant to exert undue influence on the judiciary, that seems intent on undermining the rule of law and disrupting the system of checks and balances. Such attacks are dangerous in the extreme. We cannot allow them to continue.

“We call for an end to these unwarranted attacks on the judiciary and for all Americans to speak up in defense of the Constitution and our democratic principles.

“A society without laws is not a society; it is chaos. A society without an

ndependent judiciary is not the society that we should value.”

# # #

The Philadelphia Bar Association, founded in 1802, is the preeminent metropolitan association of lawyers in the United States. It is a keystone in the ongoing developments of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania legal systems.

With more than 200 years of dedicated service to stand on, the Philadelphia Bar Association is firmly rooted in the Philadelphia community as a steady and reliable bellwether. To learn more about the association,

visit here

The Center for American Women and Politics Provides Unparalleled Resources for 2020 Elections

With the first congressional and state primaries only a week away, the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University is breaking down the performance of women candidates across the country through our

Election Watch

project. As in years

past, CAWP will provide results data about women candidates after primary contests, marrying historical data and context with present-day analysis to provide real-time updates on the 2020 election cycle. Before primary day, check out the myriad resources already on the

CAWP website

, and stay tuned for more updates.

REVAMPED

Candidate Summary

: See full numbers of women candidates for Senate, House, governor, lieutenant governor, and other statewide elected executive offices, now accompanied by interactive graphics that compare current numbers to historical records, display state-by-state information, track candidate filings, sort candidates by whether they\’re running for open seats or as challengers, and more. This candidate summary currently includes both likely and filed candidates and will update throughout the year with confirmed, filed candidates and general election nominees as filing deadlines and primary elections pass. The candidate summary will also include general election candidates for state legislatures following primary election results. [

CANDIDATE SUMMARY

]

2020 Candidate List

: This page contains a list of all filed and likely candidates for congressional, gubernatorial, and other statewide elected executive offices, along with links to candidate websites. As with the candidate summary, when filing deadlines pass, this list will update with all confirmed, filed candidates. Filed candidates are marked \”filed\” while likely candidates are marked with their state\’s filing deadline. This list also includes candidates in special elections. [

CANDIDATE LIST

]

Election Analysis

: Throughout the 2020 election, CAWP\’s Election Analysis blog will provide research and analysis from both CAWP\’s team of scholars and researchers as well as guest contributions from academics and expert practitioners. Some recent analyses include:

A woman can win the presidency. Here are the receipts.

;

After Iowa: Is sexism weighing Warren down?

; and

What does Buttigieg\’s success mean for gender progress in American politics?

. Our Election Analysis blog will also include expanded primary results with more detail than our press releases. [

ELECTION ANALYSIS

]

Rebound candidates:

Record numbers of women ran at all levels of office in 2018, and record numbers were successful, but many women fell short of victory. In 2020, CAWP is tracking those unsuccessful 2018 candidates that are getting back in the race for 2020. [

REBOUND CANDIDATES

]

Woman vs. Woman Races

: As primary elections are decided, CAWP will track congressional and gubernatorial races that feature two women nominees. The record for such races was also set in 2018. [

WOMAN vs. WOMAN RACES

]

As always, our

Election Watch

site includes historical data for previous elections. To stay in the know about women in 2020 during election nights, debates, and throughout the cycle, follow

CAWP on Twitter

and our election hashtag

#GenderLens2020

. To arrange an interview with one of CAWP\’s experts, contact

Daniel De Simone

About CAWP

The

Center for American Women and Politics

(CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers-New Brunswick, is nationally recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and current data about American women\’s political participation. Its mission is to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women\’s participation in politics and government and to enhance women\’s influence and leadership in public life. CAWP\’s education and outreach programs translate research findings into action, addressing women\’s under-representation in political leadership with effective, intersectional, and imaginative programs serving a variety of audiences. As the world has watched Americans considering female candidates for the nation\’s highest offices, CAWP\’s nearly five decades of analyzing and interpreting women\’s participation in American politics have provided the foundation and context for the discussion.

Companies that Haul or Process Soil, Fill Recyclable Material in NJ MUST Register by April 20

DEP ANNOUNCES REGISTRATION DEADLINE

TRENTON – Businesses conducting soil and fill recyclable material services that do not already possess an A-901 license have until April 20, 2020, to register with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a first step to comply with a newly enacted licensing law requiring greater oversight of those activities, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.

Governor Phil Murphy signed the law – known as the \”Dirty Dirt Bill\” on Jan. 21, which expands the DEP\’s oversight of companies that engage in, or provide, soil and fill recycling services including collection, transportation, processing, brokering, storage, purchase, sale or disposition of soil and fill recyclable materials.

\”With the passage of this new law as well as the gains made with our Guard Your Backyard campaign, the DEP and our local partners are in a better position to take action to address problematic fill material and companies engaged in these activities,\” Commissioner McCabe said. \”These new tools will empower the state and local governments to ensure that the soil and fill brought into our communities is clean and safe, while helping us defend against illegal dumping of soil and fill.\”

The law also requires affected companies that do not already possess an A-901 license to submit an application and a disclosure statement to the Attorney General\’s Office detailing their work with soil and fill material in order to receive a soil and fill recycling license for operations in New Jersey by Oct. 19, 2020. The Attorney General\’s Office, New Jersey State Police and DEP will review the disclosure statements in consideration of granting a license.

\”Dumping or unacceptable use of soil and fill materials occur too frequently,\” Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement Elizabeth Dragon said. \”DEP Compliance and Enforcement welcomes this new law to monitor and ensure the businesses involved are legitimate and complying with the new regulations, starting when soil or fill material is picked up until it is placed at a site.\”

Businesses that do not register by the deadline or businesses that apply for a license thereafter and do not meet the license review requirements will no longer be allowed to perform soil or fill recycling services work in New Jersey.

Businesses that register may continue their services while awaiting a license. Those who apply for a license after the deadline will have to wait for the license before continuing soil and fill recycling services. Businesses that believe they may be subject to the new law may review a DEP Compliance Advisory at

www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/advisories-date.html

The new law follows DEP\’s recent launch of the Guard Your Backyard campaign, which has a dedicated website offering local guidance and a model ordinance that municipal leaders can download and modify to suit their local needs. Enacting ordinances can give local governments the authority to determine what kind of fill material may be brought into their communities.

The soil and fill recycling materials registration form for the DEP is available at

www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/a901/a901frms.htm

To learn more about Guard Your Backyard, visit

www.guardyourbackyard.nj.gov

Most Common Cable Connection Problems and Easy Ways to Fix Them

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 28, 2020)–Our lives are dependent on the internet and disconnection means a total blackout. Be it an office, a home or a public place, the internet is everywhere. Admit it or not, we are all trapped and chained to the charismatic world of internet.

No matter what, every one of us has faced cable connection issues leading to internet disconnection, and without having any clue, we are in a state of confusion – what to do next. Imagine yourself watching a thriller movie on

Spectrum TV

and suddenly the movie stops in the middle – what is your first reaction?

You would definitely question yourself how do I fix it. Should I call the customer support or try to figure out the problem myself. If I call the customer support, I would have to wait for some time and in the meanwhile, my interest in the movie would diminish. It is better to sort out the problem myself.

We are going to reveal some of the common cable connection issues how you can fix them without banging your head. Let’s get started.

Loose Connections and Power Cable

Generally, the problem arises when the terminal connection at outlets and wall switches become loose. Make sure to check these fixtures and if any of the connections are loose, try to fix them. You can identify loose connections through signals such as crackling sound, or buzzing.

Moreover, sometimes we bang, nudge or poke wires without knowing it and wonder why it is not working without checking. If your internet is not connecting, then check that your router is not unplugged or the plug is halfway in and halfway out. If you see any of the two issues, just make sure to take out the plug and insert it tightly.

Moreover, the router’s LED lights can also indicate whether the connection is loose or unplugged. If there is no light, the router is not getting any power. To fix this, simply first disconnect the power cable and reconnect it.

In case your router is still not working, make sure to check the outlet and power supply to see if it is getting power. Just take the tester, put it in the socket and see if the light turns on. If not, there is a problem with the power strip and not the router or lose connection.

Joining Wires with Electrical Tape

Wire connections when joined together with tape can result in an error. Rather than connecting the wires with tape, it is better to use a nut or a sanctioned connector. To fix this issue, you must first turn off the power and remove the electrical tape from the wire. Clean the wire and make sure that the insulation on the wire should be removed in such a way that it is showing the proper amount of exposed wire. After ripping off the insulation, connect the wire properly with nut or any other approved connector.

Two Wires under Single Screw Terminal

Common cable connection issues also arise when two or more wires are connected under the same screw terminal on an outlet or a switch. It can be quite hazardous due to the possibility of a fire eruption. For safety reasons, it is not allowed to have two wires squeezed under one screw.

To resolve this issue, you need to cut off the power before you start repairing it. After turning off the power supply, remove the two wires wedged under one screw. Take a pigtail wire of the same color and remove ¾ inch of insulation from both ends of the pigtail. Now connect one end to the two wires you just removed previously.

Join the free end of the wire to the screw terminal that was holding two wires previously. You can also create a pathway or bridge that joins both wires to the preferred screw terminal on the switch or outlet.

Call Your ISP if Everything Fails

After you have done all the aforementioned steps and the problem persists, make sure to call your Internet Service Provider. The customer support will try to resolve the problem over the phone by checking your system on their end. If the problem can’t be solved over the phone, your Internet Service Provider will surely send a technical person to your home.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Doctor Described as ‘Candy Man’ Admits to Distributing Opioids to Patients w/o a Medical Reason

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County doctor today admitted distributing opioids without a legitimate medical reason and falsifying medical records to cover it up, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

CNBNews graphics file

Robert Delagente, 45, of Oakland, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, three counts of distribution of controlled dangerous substances, and one count of falsifying medical records.

“This defendant knowingly prescribed for his patients some of the most dangerous and addictive drugs available, sometimes with no more contact than a text message from the patient,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Many of these patients were dealing with pain and addiction, and instead of getting help from their doctor, they were drawn deeper into the cycle of drug abuse. His admission of guilt today ensures that he will be appropriately punished for this behavior.”

“Dr. Delagente sold his ethics, his medical license, and his moral compass,” FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. “There is no magic elixir for the pain caused by pill mill doctors. The cure is public awareness, victims who come forward and a determined fleet of FBI investigators who will arrest these unscrupulous practitioners when they run afoul of the law.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beginning in May 2014, Delagente was a doctor at a medical practice called North Jersey Family Medicine (NJFM) in Oakland, New Jersey. He allegedly described himself in conversations pertaining to his prescribing of painkillers as the “Candy Man” and the “El Chapo of Opioids.” Delagente knowingly prescribed controlled substances, such as oxycodone, Percocet, Tylenol with codeine, and various benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, and temazepam), outside the ordinary course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. He ignored the inherent danger and medical risk of overdose, drug abuse, and death that can accompany prescriptions of highly addictive opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxers, both on their own and in combination with one another.

Delagente prescribed controlled substances without ever seeing the purported patient for a medical visit or even discussing with the patient the medical need for the prescription. He allowed patients to ask him for controlled substances via text message and would write a prescription for patients that he would leave at the front desk, without requiring an office visit or consultation of any kind. He allowed patients to dictate the strength and dosage of the controlled substances he prescribed for them. Delagente also prescribed the dangerous drug combination known as the “Holy Trinity,” comprised of opioids (usually oxycodone), benzodiazepines (usually alprazolam) and muscle relaxers (usually carisoprodol).

Delagente failed to monitor patients for addiction and ignored drug screening tests to determine whether certain patients were taking illicit drugs. In fact, Delagente prescribed controlled substances to patients he knew were addicted to opioids or other controlled substances. In one instance, an NJFM employee texted Delagente that a patient had gotten a babysitter and driven a long distance to get to the practice, but had been unable to see a doctor. Delagente responded: “Oh well … C’est la vie! Lol … He can wait for his oral heroin another day. Lol.”

One patient texted Delagente that the patient “probably can’t stop the pk’s,” referring to painkillers. The patient told Delagente that the patient “would need a plan to stop…not cold turkey.” A few days later, when the patient was having trouble obtaining pain medication, the patient wrote to Delagente that “If I go 4 days without [painkillers] I am in huge trouble.” In response, Delagente wrote “I will leave you a short supply RX [prescription] at the front to pick up.” Delagente then wrote the patient a prescription for 120 tablets of 30-milligram oxycodone for 30 days. Delagente at one point told this patient: “I’m literally sticking my neck out and can lose my medical license or [be] arrested for what I just did.”

Delagente also was charged with altering medical records of patients who received controlled substance prescriptions from him after law enforcement officials had subpoenaed the records in late April 2019.

Delagente faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each of the distribution of controlled dangerous substances charges. Delagente faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge of falsifying medical records. Sentencing for Delagente is scheduled for June 10, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason S. Gould of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Sean M. Sherman of the Opioids Unit in Newark.

State Police Charge Three Men with Attempted Murder for Firing Gun at Cop

Female Associate of Men Arrested with Handguns

Trenton, N.J.

– The New Jersey State Police have charged three men with attempted murder, and a woman has been charged with weapons offenses and obstructing justice in connection with an

incident in Trenton on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in which the men allegedly fired a gun at a police officer.

Dion Battle, 28, Shaiquan A. Hearns, 20, and Yahonatan R. Salter, 28, all of Trenton, were each charged with the following offenses:

Attempted Murder (1st degree)

Conspiracy (1st degree)

Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (1st degree—Based on fact that all three have prior convictions for crimes under the No Early Release Act)

Possession of a Weapon as a Convicted Felon (2nd degree)

Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (2nd degree)

Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution (3rd degree)

Tameka V. Flemming, 30, of Trenton, N.J. was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (two counts, 2nd degree), Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution (3rd degree), Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function (4th degree), and Unlawful Possession of a Large-Capacity Magazine (4th degree).

Based on the preliminary investigation, at approximately 2:17 p.m., a Hamilton Township police officer assigned to the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit Task Force observed a shooting in progress in the area of West State Street and Parkside Avenue in Trenton.

The officer, who was operating an unmarked vehicle, followed the suspect vehicle to the area of the Oakland Park Apartments on Coolidge Avenue, where he was fired upon by the occupants of the vehicle, who allegedly were Battle, Hearns, and Salter. The task force car was struck, but the officer was not injured. When the suspect vehicle stopped, the occupants fled on foot.

Salter was arrested outside, while Battle and Hearns fled into the apartment where Flemming lives at the Oakland Park Apartments. Flemming was arrested by police when she attempted to leave the apartment with two handguns partially concealed in a small backpack. A loaded large-capacity magazine also was found in the backpack. Battle and Hearns were arrested inside the apartment.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, which assisted the New Jersey State Police with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.

All four defendants are being held in the Mercer County Jail pending detention hearings.

The first-degree charge of attempted murder carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison, while the other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison. The first-degree charges carry a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed, with the exception of the first-degree charge of unlawful possession of a handgun, which carries a mandatory period of 10 years of parole ineligibility. Second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison, with parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or 3 ½ years, whichever is greater. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory term of five years of parole ineligibility. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Tips to Help Your Gloucester City Business Stand Out from the Competition

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 27, 2020)–It has been shown that 86% of people in the US trust small businesses, but the same cannot be said for large businesses, as only 55% of people trust them. This means that small businesses are more likely to be

successful than large companies.

Competition for customers is greater than it’s ever been, so how can you stand out from your competitors? One thing is certain – you shouldn’t be using the same marketing strategies as your close competitors. Instead, you need to change your approach and transform your brand into one that stands out from your competitors. Follow these tips to stand out from the crowd and succeed in Gloucester City’s competitive market:

Provide Amazing Products and Services

To stand out from your competition, you need to offer something that your competitors are not. 74% of customers in the US said that they listen to word of mouth before making a decision on which business to use or visit.

Word of mouth is one of the most important lead generators for businesses

A great logo and outstanding branding will also play a role in how successful your business is but if your product doesn’t leave a great impression on your customers then you might not get repeat custom.

Define Your Brand

Once you know your product or service is out of this world, you need to start working on improving your brand image. Businesses in Gloucester City need much more than smart merchandising and eye-catching logos in order to stand out.

Instead, you need to find a way to be different from your competition. Millions of other companies around the world will be offering similar products or services to you, so you need to find a way to show potential clients why they should use you instead.

Branding can take some time to get right, but it’s important to go the extra mile and do the things that others aren’t willing to do. One way to do this is to provide your employees with

personalised workwear

which they can wear to and from work. This will increase the number of people who see your brand logo and enquire about your business.

Target Your Market Effectively

Trying to appeal to a large audience might not be the best idea for a new business. Instead, you should target specific groups of people who will be interested in the products or services you’re offering. This way you’re more likely to get positive reviews and people are more likely to come back for another visit.

Once you

know who your target market is

and you understand who is most likely to benefit from your products and services, you\’ll be able to attract more customers, charge more for the products and services you’re offering, and class yourself as an expert. Start on a small scale and slowly increase your customer base.

If your business has been operating for a number of years, then the chances are that you’re already using some of these tips to market your business successfully. These strategies are easy to follow, but they can produce results if followed correctly. Many small businesses in Gloucester City have failed because they’ve not effectively marketed their business. Don’t follow in their footprints; instead, stand out from your competitors and dominate your niche!

image courtesy of unsplash.com

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

Camden County GOP Announces County Candidates

Ambrosino: “2020 marks the 100

anniversary of women winning the right to vote and I am proud to announce a slate of candidates that happens to be all women.”

HADDON HEIGHTS (February 27, 2020)–– Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino announced the county slate of GOP candidates today.

“2020 is the 100

anniversary of women winning the right to vote and I am proud to announce a slate of candidates that happens to be all women,” Rich Ambrosino said. “Our county candidates are, for Surrogate former Haddon Heights School Board member and Attorney Kimberly Stuart. Freeholder candidates are former Haddon Heights Councilwoman Jennifer Moore and Johanna Scheets, a board certified Behavior Analyst. Minister Nicole Nance, BBA rounds out the team running for the unexpired Freeholder term.”

Ambrosino continued, “On the stump our candidate in the First Congressional District, Claire Gustafson, discusses 2020 being the 100

anniversary of women winning the right to vote and the importance of supporting strong women for office, which fits perfectly with our organization’s efforts in recruiting more women as part of our work to diversify the party. I am proud of the team we have assembled.”

“To be clear, we did not choose an all-woman slate for the sake of choosing women, we don’t practice identity politics,” Ambrosino said. “We chose a group of strong, powerful women who are leaders that Camden County voters will be proud to vote for because they will make excellent elected officials.”

published Gloucestercitynews.net

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