Category: NORTH JERSEY

NJ Residents Receive Degrees from Wilkes University

WILKES-BARRE, PA (01/21/2020)– Wilkes University awarded 302 bachelor\’s, master\’s and doctoral degrees when it held its winter commencement ceremony on January 19. The event was held in the Arnaud C. Marts Center, 274 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes interim President Paul S. Adams presided at the event. The commencement address was delivered by Paul Riggs, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University. Kristin Donati, who received her master of business administration degree at the ceremony, was the student speaker. Donati is associate director of graduate enrollment at Wilkes University.

Janine Pietrangelo of Cherry Hill (08003) received the Master of Science degree with a major in Education.

Brittany Chan of West Deptford (08051) received the Master of Science degree with a major in Education.

Salvatore Piccone of Mullica Hill (08062) received the Bachelor of Business Admin. degree with a major in Marketing.

Andrew MacDonald of Bridgeton (08302) received the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting.

About Wilkes University

:

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation\’s finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master\’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at

www.wilkes.edu

.

Dirty Dirt Bill Becomes Law in NJ

Governor Murphy has signed S1683 (Smith/Greenstein) into law. The bill was written to address the regulations of solid waste, hazardous waste, and soil and debris recycling industries and to amend the existing law to expand the

requirements for background checks to a broader range of persons involved in the solid waste industry, such as salespersons, consultants, and brokers.

“Today is an important day when it comes to dealing with dirty dirt in New Jersey. This new law addresses New Jersey’s ongoing problems with illegal dumping of contaminated materials. Illegal dumping in New Jersey is still happening, risking the environment and public health. DEP has not been enforcing against these dumpers like they should have, and this law will go a long way to give them the tools to do their job and protect New Jersey from illegal dumping,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The Special Commission of Investigation’s first “Dirty Dirt” report in 2016 exposed the rampant problem of soil brokers and dirty dirt. The industry has ties to the mob, and there are serious pollution and health impacts. These unscrupulous dirt brokers are dumping contaminated soil all over the environment. Now the loopholes in the law that gives them less scrutiny have been closed.”

Illegal dumping of contaminated materials is a widespread problem in New Jersey. In Vernon, Joseph Wallace dumped toxic chemicals and materials for over 8 years. Samples taken from the dirt by DEP were found to contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the pesticide chemical chlordane all at levels above the state’s standard for residential soil. In October, Wallace was sentenced to 90 days in Sussex County Jail and fined $58,500 after months of fighting in court.

“This law will help address illegal dumping in New Jersey, which is a statewide problem. The illegal dumping in Vernon and elsewhere was a wakeup call to our legislature and the Murphy Administration that we need more enforcement power and inspections. In Vernon, the judge did the DEP’s job for them. DEP looked the other way and would not enforce the cleanup at this site for far too long. DEP Polluters not only need to clean up their mess, but they need to pay too. Wallace has been illegally dumping materials in Vernon for over 8 years, and enough is enough,” said Tittel. “Illegal dumping has become a toxic menace to the community. High levels of PAHs, PCBs, and chlordane endanger public health. PCBs have been linked to cancer, as well as pregnancy complications and other health effects. Exposure to chordane can affect the human nervous system.”

In June, the Special Commission of Investigation released their latest “Dirty Dirt” report detailing illegal dumping in Marlboro. SCI reported that New Jersey currently “lacks the authority to properly oversee elements of its recycling program”. Illegal dumping in New Jersey has the potential to impact the environment but also cause public health problems, like in Kearny where New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority illegally dumped liquid sewage sludge.

“We are glad that Governor Murphy signed this bill, but we need to go further. New Jersey needs tighter regulations and restrictions on how our waste is handled. We have a long history of contaminated materials coming into our state, in part because DEP chooses not to regulate these chemicals. DEP needs to set and enforce standards for toxic materials to prevent any more possible dumping,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

HRC Scores New Jersey Companies’ LGBTQ-Inclusive Workplace Policies

WASHINGTON  DC (January, 2020)—

America’s leading companies and law firms are stepping up in record numbers to adopt increasingly forward-looking policies and practices to meet the needs of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workers in the U.S. and abroad, according to the

2020

Corporate Equality Index

(CEI) released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

In the most rigorous assessment of LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies and practices to date, a record of more than 680 companies have been designated a

Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

by the HRC Foundation for their efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results, earning them a 100 percent rating.

Top-scoring companies include 23 in New Jersey.

In total, 1059 companies and law firms were officially rated in the new CEI, up from 1028 in last year’s survey. The report also unofficially rated 122 Fortune 500 companies, which have yet to respond to an invitation to participate in the CEI survey assessing their LGBTQ policies and practices.

The average score for companies and law firms based in New Jersey is 86 percent. Of the 46 companies ranked, 23 earned 100 points, 31 earned 90 points and above, and 38 earned 80 points and above.

For the first time, HRC this year is giving special recognition to the 11 companies that earned top marks on all three of HRC’s workplace equality assessments: the CEI, as well as

Equidad MX

and

Equidad CL

. HRC’s groundbreaking Equidad program recognizes Latin American companies and U.S. multinational companies for their work in Mexico and Chile.

“These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do — it is also the best business decision. In addition, many of these leaders are also advocating for the LGBTQ community and equality under the law in the public square,” said

HRC President Alphonso David

. “From supporting LGBTQ civil rights protections in the U.S. through HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, to featuring transgender and non-binary people in an ad in Argentina, to advocating for marriage equality in Taiwan — businesses understand their LGBTQ employees and customers deserve to be seen, valued and respected not only at work, but in every aspect of daily life.”

Employer

Headquarters Location

State

2020 CEI Rating

ADP

Roseland

NJ

100

American Express Global Business Travel

Jersey City

NJ

100

BASF Corp.

Florham Park

NJ

100

Bayer U.S. LLC

Whippany

NJ

100

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

Franklin Lakes

NJ

100

Celgene Corp.

Summit

NJ

100

Day Pitney LLP

Parsippany

NJ

100

Dun & Bradstreet Corp., The

Short Hills

NJ

100

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Newark

NJ

100

Johnson & Johnson

New Brunswick

NJ

100

Mathematica Policy Research

Princeton

NJ

100

Merck

Kenilworth

NJ

100

Nestle Health Science

Bridgewater

NJ

100

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

East Hanover

NJ

100

Pearson Inc.

Hoboken

NJ

100

Prudential Financial Inc.

Newark

NJ

100

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

Secaucus

NJ

100

Samsung Electronics America Inc.

Ridgefield Park

NJ

100

Sanofi

Bridgewater

NJ

100

Subaru of America Inc.

Cherry Hill

NJ

100

TD Bank, N.A.

Cherry Hill

NJ

100

Unilever

Englewood Cliffs

NJ

100

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Parsippany

NJ

100

Avis Budget Group Inc.

Parsippany

NJ

95

Novo Nordisk Inc.

Plainsboro

NJ

95

Aero OpCo LLC

Lyndhurst

NJ

90

Ascena Retail Group Inc.

Mahwah

NJ

90

Mars Inc.

Mt. Olive

NJ

90

Realogy Holdings Corp.

Madison

NJ

90

Wipro Ltd.

East Brunswick

NJ

90

Campbell Soup Co.

Camden

NJ

85

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Hoboken

NJ

85

Public Service Enterprise Group

Newark

NJ

85

Burlington Stores Inc.

Burlington

NJ

80

Conduent Inc.

Florham Park

NJ

80

Firmenich Inc.

Plainsboro

NJ

80

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC

Jersey City

NJ

80

McCarter & English LLP

Newark

NJ

80

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.

Teaneck

NJ

70

NRG Energy Inc.

Princeton

NJ

65

Honeywell International Inc.

Morris Plains

NJ

60

Newell Brands Inc.

Hoboken

NJ

60

Selective Insurance Group

Branchville

NJ

40

Software House International

Somerset

NJ

30

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

Union

NJ

20

PBF Energy

Parsippany

NJ

20

More than 260 top businesses — including 191 that earned top scores on the CEI — are also

corporate supporters on the Equality Act

, critically important bipartisan legislation that would finally add clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation\’s civil rights laws. While the Supreme Court decides whether LGBTQ people are protected by federal employment non-discrimination law, these companies are holding the line for their employees and their families.

Other key findings revealed in the 2020 CEI:

The more than 680 companies who earned a 100 on the CEI represent 12.4 million employees nationally, 11.9 million globally and earn a combined estimate of $12.9 trillion in revenue.

Eighty-three companies participated in the CEI for the first time in 2020 with 36 debuting at a score of 100 — including Etsy Inc., Peloton Interactive Inc. and Stop & Shop, and Warner Music Group.

Of all Fortune 500 companies, 93% have sexual orientaiton in their U.S. non-discrimination policy, and 91% have gender identity.

The average CEI score for all Fortune 500 companies increased from 67 to 71 in the past year — with actively participating Fortune 500 companies having an average score of 90, up from 88 last year.

Over the last several years, CEI-rated companies have dramatically expanded their support for transgender workers. This year 89% percent of companies participating in the CEI offer at least one health care policy that is inclusive of their transgender workers, and 85% percent met stringent criteria that requires all blanket exclusions of medically-necessary care for transgender workers be removed from all health policies the company offers — up from 73% last year.

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria in four broad categories:

Non-discrimination policies

Employment benefits

Supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility including public commitment to LGBTQ equality

Responsible citizenship

The full report is available online at

www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America\’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Alumna Makes $250,000 Gift to Establish Endowment for Childhood Studies

By Tom McLaughlin

Rutgers University–Camden

will continue to be a global leader at the forefront of research and initiatives focused on improving the lives, opportunities, and understanding of children, thanks to a $250,000 gift from alumna Nancy Shuman to establish the Nancy Seagrave Shuman Endowment for Childhood Studies.

Shuman, a 1968 graduate of the Rutgers–Camden

College of Arts and Sciences

(CCAS) with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, established the fund to ensure that various initiatives within Rutgers–Camden’s

Department of Childhood Studies

will receive ongoing support in perpetuity.

“The well-being of children is deeply important to me,” says the Allentown, Pa., resident. “I hope that my gift provides increased momentum for the Department of Childhood Studies and related programs at Rutgers–Camden to help make a difference in the lives of children in the Camden community, the Greater Delaware Valley region, and beyond.”

Howard Marchitello, dean of the

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

at Rutgers–Camden, praises Shuman for her continued support of Rutgers–Camden’s Department of Childhood Studies and its students. He notes that, because of her generosity, the students’ work will, in turn, be dedicated to ensuring the general well-being of students in Camden City and the greater South Jersey region.

“This act of generosity will reach countless beneficiaries for many years to come,” says Marchitello. “The College of Arts and Sciences is deeply moved by Ms. Shuman’s support and faith in our faculty and students, and in the vision of our Department of Childhood Studies.”

After earning a state scholarship, Shuman was drawn to Rutgers–Camden for the medical technology degree that it offered at that time. She remembers that she was among only three students in the inaugural cohort of the major and the intensive coursework was largely the same as for pre-medicine.

After completing three years of the four-year degree, she served a 12-month internship at the former West Jersey Hospital in Voorhees.

Upon graduating from Rutgers–Camden, Shuman continued working as a medical technologist in the blood bank at West Jersey Hospital.

She and her husband, Clyde, later settled in Allentown, where he and a partner founded Precision Medical, a global leader in respiratory devices.

Shuman has been a generous benefactor to Rutgers–Camden over the years, previously contributing to the CCAS Dean’s Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Center for Children and Childhood Studies Gift Fund.

Rutgers–Camden’s Department of Childhood Studies focuses on putting the issues, concepts, and debates that surround the study of children and childhoods at the center of its research and teaching missions.

Nancy and Clyde Shuman

Through a multidisciplinary approach, childhood studies aims both to theorize and historicize the figure of the child and to situate the study of children and childhoods within contemporary cultural and global contexts.

The curriculum in the department spans several disciplines in scope and purpose, and provides students with a strong background in both humanistic and social science perspectives on children and their representations. This approach prepares students for careers in many areas, including academics, public policy, social services, youth programming, and education.

Rutgers–Camden launched the nation’s first Ph.D. program in childhood studies in 2007. The program provides an advanced theoretical and methodological study of children and childhood. It prepares scholars capable of innovative research in this interdisciplinary field, as well as policy leaders with new perspectives in child-related social practice.

(Video) Kansas City Fans Wounded by Gunman, Two Dead

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (January 20, 2020)—-41Action News reports that two people are dead and 15 wounded after a gunman opened fire outside a Kansas City bar in a \”chaotic scene\” as the city celebrated its

football team\’s big victory

on Sunday night after the game.

Officers who arrived at the scene outside 9ine Ultra Lounge just before midnight Sunday found the bodies of a man and a woman, police said in a statement. Fifteen other people were treated at hospitals, and three were listed in critical condition, police said.

Community Members Invited to FREE Weekly Cancer Wellness Programs

at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township

Sewell, NJ, January 21, 2020

–

People living with a cancer diagnosis are invited to join Jefferson Health cancer experts for FREE one-hour wellness programs held weekly at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township’s Center for Hope and Healing (900 Medical Center Drive, Suite 207, Sewell).

Nourishing Our Bodies During a Cancer Diagnosis

(Mondays, 3-4 p.m.): Danielle Hall, MS, RD, will discuss healthful guidelines, supplements, and nutrient-dense foods to maximize nutrition during a cancer diagnosis.

Keep Moving: Benefits of Exercise for Patients with a Cancer Diagnosis

(Tuesdays, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.): A Jefferson Health Physical Therapy Assistant will discuss the benefits of a regular exercise routine, and the importance of staying active to optimize physical stamina and mental well-being.

Preparing for Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

(Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.): Open to patients and their caregivers, participants learn how chemotherapy and immunotherapy work, as well as tips and tools for managing common side effects.

Coping with Cancer: Strategies for Managing Life After a Cancer Diagnosis

(Fridays, 11 a.m. – Noon): A cancer diagnosis can cause many emotions, including fear, anxiety, and sadness. Social Worker Abigale Hassel, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, will discuss coping strategies and ways to alleviate stress.

To register, or for more information, call

856-218-5324

or visit

JeffersonHealth.org/NJcancer

.

About

Jefferson Health

: Jefferson Health, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, is reimagining health care in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson’s dedicated team of doctors, nurses, health professionals, and staff provides a range of primary to highly-specialized care through 14 hospitals (seven are Magnet®-designated by the ANCC for nursing excellence), more than 40 outpatient and urgent care locations, the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Magee Rehabilitation and the JeffConnect® telemedicine program. For 2019-2020, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals in eight specialities by

U.S. News & World Report

. Jefferson Health’s mission is to improve the lives of patients in the communities it is privileged to serve through safe, effective, equitable, compassionate care.

South Jersey Gas Employees Honor Martin Luther King Jr. with Day of Service

FOLSOM, NJ, January 21, 2019 – Approximately 100 South Jersey Gas executives, employees and their families assisted local residents with projects for its Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20 – distributing warm clothes, assisting with resume writing, making hospitality toiletry bags and more.

“South Jersey Gas is proud to participate in the Day of Service for the third year in a row,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “As part of our commitment to the communities we serve, we encourage employees to get involved in community service.”

“We are honored to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. together with other local organizations and volunteers,” added Robbins.

South Jersey Gas volunteers partnered with Stockton University for the Day of Service and participated in events at several locations in South Jersey.

No Increase in New Jersey Transit Fares

Today, Governor Murphy announced that his FY2021 budget proposal will not include a fare hike for NJ Transit. This is the fifth year that NJ Transit has not had a fare increase.  Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“We are glad that NJ Transit will not be increasing their fares this year. This is good news for commuters. This is important because they cannot and should not balance the budget on the back of NJ Transit riders. Rate hikes unfairly hurt seniors, young people, and the working poor the most. New Jersey commuters pay the most in the nation when it comes to contributing for their share of operation and maintenance. NJ Transit is still robbing capital funds that should be going to improve and expand NJ Transit for operations and maintenance, $460 million this year alone. This is like robbing our future to pay for current expenses, or taking a second mortgage on a house to buy groceries. New Jersey needs a dedicated source of funding for operations and maintenance so we can decrease fares and improve ridership.”

“This is the fifth year that we haven’t seen a fare increase, but keeping fares stable is not enough. We are in a state of climate urgency and we need immediate action to help protect our air. Transit agencies in other states are actually cutting or eliminating fares to encourage ridership. If we reduce and eliminate fares, it would get more people out of cars and would reduce pollution. New Jersey has some of the worst air quality in the nation. NJ Transit needs a stable source of funding for operations and maintenance to lower fares and improve ridership, because next year the fares could go up. They should be helping get cars off the road and making our air cleaner.”

Free public reading of Tough Love

Ridgewood,New Jersey (PR MediaRelease) January, 2020 —

New Players Company of Ridgewood, NJ and The New Deal Creative Arts Center of Hyde Park, NY present a free public reading of

Tough Love

, a new play in development written by playwright Louisa Vilardi.

Tough Love

is a mix of comedy and drama that explores how much it takes to give up or give in when it comes to marriage and family.

Louisa is a writer and theater director originally from Northern New Jersey where she taught high school English and Creative Writing at Ridgewood High School for over a decade before moving to the Hudson Valley. She developed the NPC Playwriting Program and served as a producer and resident theater director for NPC for many years. She is also a contributing writer for The Huffington Post, Today Parenting Team and Scary Mommy and is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild of America.

This free public reading and New Jersey premiere will be presented at The Little Theatre in Ridgewood, NJ on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 4:00pm. This reading is directed by the talented David Perez-Ribada and features an extraordinary cast: Steven Bendler, Austin Lightning Carrothers, Teresa Gasparini, Helen Mutch, and Johnny Tammaro. Join us for the NJ premiere reading of the play and a talk back following the reading. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. This play is intended for mature audiences only.

For free tickets, please visit:

newdeal-toughlovenj.eventbrite.com

New Jersey Carpenters Union Adds Puerto Rico as Home to Newest Local

Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Charters Newest Local in Puerto Rico

(Philadelphia, PA) The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters announced that it has charted a new Local to represent workers in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The charter for Local 787 was officially ratified on January 10

th

, 2020.

“The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is excited to take the next steps in helping to rebuild the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and organize the local workforce,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer William C. Sproule, “The addition of Puerto Rico to our Council will strengthen our union with even more highly trained and community-first focused carpenters.”

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America tasked the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters with organizing the Puerto Rican workforce. The Council’s involvement in Puerto Rico has been ongoing for some years. Members of the Council have been helping to rebuild Puerto Rico ever since 2017 when Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Through partnerships with groups like Heart 9/11, they have been assisting in the rebuilding of homes and the training of local workers in how to properly and safely rebuild their communities.

“Our mission of advocating for worker rights, negotiating fair wage standards, and training the best workforce in the nation does not happen overnight,” Sproule stated, “Our members have been on the ground in Puerto Rico helping in any way they can and have shown that they truly care about the residents and community. Our union likes to promote the idea of being a ‘community carpenter;’ which means committing to the overall welfare of where you work and live.  The people of Puerto can be assured that we are here for the long haul and will never turn our backs on them.”

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters have already been implementing their training programs in the Commonwealth. A partnership with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections has already created a pre-apprentice training program for incarcerated individuals looking to find a career after their release. These newly trained workers gained the skills they need to become a successful carpenter and rehabilitated members of their community. Their training included building much-needed homes for low-income residents.

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represents 42,000 members in a region that includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and ten counties in North Carolina.