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Politico
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
The GOP popularity contest
Presented by Good Thursday morning! Jack Ciattarelli has the highest name recognition and net favorability out of four Republican gubernatorial candidates named in a new FDU poll. But there are signs that Ciattarelli's advantages are 'tenuous,' according to FDU. 'The fact that Ciattarelli has run before means that voters know who he is, but he also has much higher unfavorables than the other Republicans in the race,' said Dan Cassino, the FDU Poll's executive director. 'He's currently in the strongest position, but these numbers show how tenuous that advantage is.' Here's the numbers: 78 percent of Republicans surveyed know who Ciattarelli is, compared to 54 percent for Bill Spadea, 43 percent for Jon Bramnick and 41 percent for Ed Durr. Thirty-nine percent of Republicans have favorable views of Ciattarelli versus 15 percent who have unfavorable views. By contrast, 22 percent have favorable views of Spadea and 10 percent have unfavorable views of him. 'The large number of Republicans who don't have an opinion about Spadea means that he has room to grow his support,' Cassino said. 'But to do that, he'll have to break through in media coverage, something that's proving hard for everyone in the race.' All the candidates — even moderate Jon Bramnick — get net positive marks from Republican voters who have heard enough about them to have an opinion. But interestingly, among voters 45 and under, a group that disproportionately considers itself to be 'MAGA' Republicans, the candidates are basically tied in favorability. You can find the full pull results on the FDU Poll's website. While Cassino says Spadea will have to break through in media coverage, given the downsizing of New Jersey's press and splintering of news sources, I think it might be about paid media rather than earned media. So far, Spadea hasn't been able to match Ciattarelli's fundraising. That might be key. And judging by the numbers so far and the Republican base's enthusiasm for Trump, it doesn't look like most of the candidates' on each other for not being Trumpy enough have broken through. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Ellen Park, Roland Straten WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Finding Waste, Fraud and Abuse before it was cool' — The promotion for Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh's speech at Rider University net week TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@ WHAT TRENTON MADE IF YOU'RE BETTING ON THIS, PLEASE CALL 1-800-GAMBLER — 'NJ Transit, locomotive engineers continue to negotiate as strike deadline looms,' by The Record's Colleen O'Dea: 'Anyone taking bets on whether or not NJ Transit's locomotive engineers will strike? Kalshi is. The New York-based financial exchange and prediction platform began taking wagers March 1 on whether train operators will walk off the job, which could happen as soon as March 22. … Details on how the negotiations between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and NJ Transit have been are scant of late. NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri isn't hedging his bets or throwing all his chips in — he's just not making any wagers. 'I'm not a betting man,' he told reporters at an unrelated event last week when asked about the negotiations. 'There's a pathway to get there, the question is can we do it in a way that is thoughtful and that is reasonable, and I'm still confident we can get there.' The two parties have been at the table nearly every day since Kolluri took over as head of the agency in January. Before Kolluri's arrival, the two sides had been nearly at a standstill.' WINDOW DRESSING — 'NJ Transit accelerates its plan to rid trains of cloudy windows,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri unveiled a plan Wednesday to replace every cloudy window in its fleet of multilevel rail cars within three years. The $18.5 million dollar plan will replace 13,000 windows in the agency's multilevel I and II rail cars, an effort started last year by Kolluri's predecessor Kevin Corbett. Kolluri decided to accelerate window replacement under his three-point plan to improve the customer experience, cutting the replacement time from as high as eight years to three.' —'Murphy's proposal to hike gambling taxes draws mixed reaction' —'NJ Transit scraps plan for MetLife Stadium bus terminal as World Cup transitway proceeds' —'EV supporters fear Murphy budget incentives not enough' —'Inaction on bills to cut prison population prompts plea for lawmakers to act' —'Taking stock five years after COVID-19 first hit New Jersey' —'I-80 sinkhole concerns date back to 2009, state records show' TRUMP ERA IMMIGRATION — 'Immigrants feeling pressured with few allies in power,' by NJ Spotlight News' David Cruz: 'Immigrants and immigrant rights advocates find themselves battling not only executive orders and policy directives that have resulted in more raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, but anti-immigrant sentiment that has struck fear in the community. ICE has announced it will reopen Delaney Hall in Newark as a 1,000-bed immigrant detention center while the state Legislature has failed to consider the Immigrant Trust Act for a vote. That bill would codify a directive from the state attorney general limiting cooperation protocols between local and federal institutions. 'We have to have the people that are in power read the ITA, to be part of this process,' said Ana Paola Pazmino at a recent rally at the Elizabeth Detention Center. 'Delaney Hall is not opening just because Trump started. This is happening because all the politicians have done nothing within this past year. And it's making us angry now.'' —'Why Trump's tariffs could have 'bigger impacts' this time around' LOCAL CAMDEN SMOKE RISING — ''It's hellish now': EMR fire leaves Camden residents worried about health and contamination,' by WHYY's Sophia Schmidt: 'Residents affected by the four-alarm fire at a metal recycler in South Camden a week and a half ago are still recovering from the experience. 'It's hellish now, to live on this block and live in this neighborhood,' said Aliyia Jones, who lives with her mother and 19-year-old daughter less than 2,000 feet away from EMR's fenceline. A Camden County spokesperson said the fire was EMR's sixth since 2016. Community members worry it won't be the last. They fear pollution from the frequent blazes will leave a lasting mark on the community's health.' PATERSON — 'Lawsuit says Paterson police escalated tensions with Najee Seabrooks before he was shot,' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'Family members have filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the city over the 2023 fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks, a 31-year-old employee of the Paterson Healing Collective anti-violence group. … The lawsuit blamed Paterson police for fuelling tensions at the scene instead of calming the confrontation, especially when a SWAT team showed up with riot gear. Seabrooks was suffering from delusions and paranoia, and even began cutting himself with a kitchen knife, causing him to weaken from his loss of blood, said the lawsuit, which was filed in United States District Court in Newark late on Monday. At that point, the police at the scene should have allowed 'the passage of time to naturally de-escalate the situation' because Seabrooks was likely to pass out from his blood loss, the lawsuit said. 'Instead, they maintained their strategic and confrontational 'standoff' position, with guns still drawn, and continued to pressure Mr. Seabrooks to come out of the bathroom and surrender,' the lawsuit said.' HOBROKEN — 'How can Jersey City and Hoboken handle December 2 runoffs just 13 days after certification?' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Recent legislative changes to the election calendar create complications in non-partisan municipal runoffs and potentially forces election officials to immediately violate at least some state laws. Candidates for mayor and city council in Jersey City and Hoboken must get a majority of votes – 50% plus one – in the November non-partisan municipal election to win; otherwise, they must compete in a December 2 runoff. With a large field, few believe any of the mayoral candidates will win outright, making the runoff inevitable. The short window to prepare and print ballots while strictly following state law is impossible. 'We're flying by the seat of our pants here,' a top election official told the New Jersey Globe. 'There are so many contradictions. They update some laws, but not all.' —'McCann Stamato to put up bill to ease logistics for Hoboken & Jersey City runoffs' IT'S A TOUGH TIME FOR PILOTS — 'Polistina, Levinson at odds over casino PILOT and what county should do for Atlantic City,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Michelle Brunetti Post: 'Saying Atlantic County needs to do more to improve the city if it wants a larger share of future casino payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, state Sen. Vince Polistina called for the county to take on a big job like relighting Pacific Avenue.. … County Executive Dennis Levinson, who has been feuding with Polistina and Atlantic County GOP Chair Don Purdy over insurance contracts and more, said improving the city is the state's job as the governmental entity in charge under the state takeover. … Polistina is continuing to have conversations with the Governor's Office and others in Trenton about a possible new PILOT, he said. The existing PILOT with 2021 amendments, which the county is suing to overturn, runs out in 2026 … Levinson, who was not at the meeting but watched it online, has long held the PILOT was never a good idea and the city should go back to traditional real estate assessment and property taxes on casinos.' OCEAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF TOYS, CONSIDER BAN — 'New Jersey library gets book returned 99 years late,' by ABC 6's Matteo Iadonisi: 'Mary Cooper found a library book borrowed by her grandfather in 1926 and returned it 99 years late. The book, 'Home-Made Toys for Girls and Boys' by A. Neely Hall, was stamped by the Ocean County Library. Cooper recalls that her grandfather, Charles Tilton, was a boatwright and carpenter who may have desired to build something for his daughter, who was Cooper's mother. The back of the book revealed it was borrowed in March of 1926 and designated for return by the end of the month. Tilton passed away the following year. 'I said, I have to return this book to the library,' said Cooper. 'I was sure they would like to have it back.'' —'Newark gains 415 new school board voters ages 16-17' —'Atlantic City Housing Authority leaves disabled woman in limbo in rush to empty Stanley Holmes Village' —'Restoration of historic Passaic County Court House kicks off with $11 million contract' —'Ramapo Indian Hills school board to hire new general counsel to avoid 'huge conflict'' —'Upper Township incumbents to face primary challenge in June' —'Middletown BOE rehires politically connected lawyer Bruce Padula' —"Middletown Coach Accused Of Sex Assault Quit, Not Eligible For Pension' —Brennan: 'Here's why your property taxes are soaring while Jersey City schools struggle' EVERYTHING ELSE LESNIAK TO RULE HUDSON COUNTY FROM HIS KEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE — 'NJCU board votes unanimously 'to pursue a strategic merger' with Kean,' by Hudson County View's John Heinis: 'The New Jersey City University (NJCU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously (7-0) 'to pursue a strategic merger' with Kean University at a special meeting this afternoon. … New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian K. Bridge, Ph.D has named 'seasoned expert' Henry Amoroso as the state fiscal monitor for NJCU in the midst of their budget woes back in August 2023. Since then, Moody's and Fitch Ratings moved the university's credit rating from negative to stable.' MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T TAKE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SO SERIOUSLY — 'Lawyer for embattled state wrestling champ blasts statements supporting NJSIAA,' by NJ Advance Media's Ryan Patti: 'Patrick J. Jennings, the attorney representing Anthony Knox, Jr., said Wednesday the statements from the NJSIAA's Executive Committee, Sen. Paul Sarlo and others should have no impact on the Mercer County Superior Court's expected decision of whether or not to uphold the temporary restraining order currently allowing Knox to wrestle in this week's NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 State Championships … 'Anthony Knox, Jr. did nothing wrong,' Jennings said. … In his case last week, Jennings argued that the NJSIAA is violating the Due Process Clause in the 14th Amendment. … Knox was charged Tuesday with simple assault of a minor and disorderly conduct for his involvement in the incident, and a Collingswood police offer said in court documents he saw Knox 'repeatedly punch' a minor. In his statement Tuesday, Sarlo (D-Bergen), a member of the NJSIAA's Executive Committee, said the court's decision 'set a bad precedent for scholastic sports.'' THE JAWS OF LIVESTREAM — 'Marijuana activist NJ Weedman seriously injured in motorcycle crash,' by Kevin Shea for 'Ed 'NJ Weedman' Forchion, the longtime marijuana advocate, was seriously injured last weekend when a truck collided with his motorcycle in Trenton. Forchion livestreamed the crash aftermath on Facebook while lying on the ground surrounded by wreckage and while city EMTs treated him. He was taken to a hospital, where he continued posting videos. Police later issued the truck driver — a 51-year-old resident of Elmhurst, New York — tickets for careless driving, failure to yield at an intersection, and failure to stop or yield, police spokesperson Capt. Lisette Rios said.' … He posted on Facebook Tuesday that he suffered spinal fractures and three ribs.' —'University Hospital President and CEO Ed Jimenez goes to Main Line Health' —'Concern that sea-level rise will flood drinking-water intakes in Philadelphia, southern NJ' —'This mistake costs N.J. drivers extra money when they pay the N.Y.C. congestion toll'
Politico
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Norcross still standing
Presented by Good Thursday morning! That is, if you're George Norcross and his five co-defendants, who all had the massive corruption indictment against them dismissed by Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw. Warshaw was convinced by the defense arguments that hard-edged business dealings aren't a crime, especially by someone like Norcross who, though one of the most powerful people in New Jersey, has never held an elected office. It wasn't close. None of the 13 counts survived Warshaw's nearly 100-page decision. Attorney General Matt Platkin is already in the process of appealing. But this is a big blow to the political aspirations pretty much everyone involved in New Jersey politics assumes Platkin has. To quote Omar Little from The Wire: 'You come at the king, you best not miss.' If you disagree with putting Norcross in the same context as an early 21st century Robin Hood, maybe Machiavelli is more fitting. Norcross isn't at the pinnacle of his power, but he's still formidable and the decline has been due to political realignment, not this case. Now the Norcross defense team is trying to turn the table on Platkin — and putting things on it. During a Zoom press conference Wednesday, eight defense lawyers in the case spent an hour savaging Platkin, mocking him for not holding a press conference about the dismissal like he did in June when he announced the indictment. Norcross' attorney, Michael Critchley, even said a civil lawsuit was 'on the table.' 'Did I miss the press conference today by Mr. Platkin? Because now, there's nothing but silence. But he did a lot of damage to people: professionally, financially, to their families, to their wives, to their children, and there must be redress from that. He cannot just walk away from his conduct,' he said. 'The indictment was undeniably the product of naked political ambition,' Kevin Marino, attorney for Norcross' brother and co-defendant Phil, said on the call. '[Platkin] should step down and grow up.' I asked Platkin's office for comment. 'These baseless threats by defense counsel merit no response,' he said. 'His decision was not simply wrong, but without precedent: no one has identified a single case in which a judge granted a motion to dismiss like this one, without even reviewing the months of evidence on which the grand jury relied. If allowed to stand, this decision would send a message to every resident of our State that there are two systems of criminal justice — one for the absolute most wealthy and well-connected few, and one for everyone else. We have already filed our notice of appeal and look forward to presenting our case to the Appellate Division.' It wasn't limited to the lawyers. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh told me he thinks Platkin should resign. Sayegh has been critical of Platkin's decision to take over his city's trouble police department. 'Incompetence comes at a cost. It's the taxpayers of New Jersey who have to foot the bill,' Sayegh said, noting the Appellate Division's decision that Platkin had overstepped his authority in taking over the Paterson PD and his office's collapsed shooting case against a Paterson cop. (Sayegh told me he's never met Norcross). State Sen. Joe Cryan, a frequent Platkin critic not known as a Norcross ally, called the dismissal 'the latest embarrassing black eye for the [Attorney General's] Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.' Read more about it here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: William Spearman, Jackie Cornell, Joe Egan, Patrick McCarthy, Vik Rupani WHERE'S MURPHY? Leaving New Jersey until Monday. Acting Gov. Tahesha Way will be in Clark at 10 a.m. for a grand opening ceremony and in Fair Lawn at 7:30 p.m. for a swearing-in. QUOTE OF THE DAY: '...' — Jack Ciattarelli, Bill Spadea and Ras Baraka on the Norcross dismissal TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@ WHAT TRENTON MADE EXTREMIST PARTY VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHT FOR FISSION VOTING — New Jersey's Moderate Party vows to continue legal fight over fusion voting, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: The New Jersey Moderate Party is planning to appeal a Wednesday decision from an appellate panel that upholds state law prohibiting candidates from appearing multiple times on the ballot with different party affiliations for the same office, also known as fusion voting. It's the latest blow in a long-running saga for the minor political party, which was founded by allies of Democratic former Rep. Tom Malinowski as he ran for reelection in 2022. The state Superior Court's appellate division heard arguments over the case in December — two years after Malinowksi lost his bid to Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. 'Appellants and amici argue that there are strong public policy interests supporting fusion voting,' Judge Robert Gilson wrote in the decision. 'They contend that anti-fusion statutes help to perpetuate the two-party system. They also argue that minority parties can help to balance political divisiveness and reduce threats to our democratic system of government. Many people considering those arguments may find them compelling'. But those arguments, he said, 'do not support declaring' the law unconstitutional.'' I NEED TP FOR MY BUDGET HOLE! — 'Raising taxes? As Trump rages and affordability rules NJ politics? Really?' by The Record's Charles Stile: 'Any time a Democratic governor of New Jersey talks about raising taxes, the ghost of Gov. Jim Florio's tax hike of 1990 is summoned from the party's political graveyard. … The planned tax increases in Gov. Phil Murphy's $58.1 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2026 are far smaller in scale. … Yet, it's worth remembering that the rallying cry symbol of Florio's tax plan was a small item — toilet paper. … One veteran Democratic lobbyist standing in the Assembly chamber minutes before Murphy delivered his final budget address recalled the trauma and seem perplexed that Murphy's plan calls for a series of blue-collar taxes on bowling alleys, of all places. There may be a legitimate policy rationale for all of them, the lobbyist observed, but: 'This was not a good time. It has too much of that kind of feel of Florio.'' MISSING THE BUS — 'NJ school bus reforms haven't protected kids with disabilities. Mom asks 'How many more?',' by The Record's Gene Myers: 'It's been three years since New Jersey lawmakers passed school bus safety legislation, motivated in part by a 2018 highway crash that killed a 10-year-old Paramus girl and her teacher. But the state has been slow to promulgate regulations since, and disability advocates say the changes have mainly focused on the physical condition of vehicles − and not the needs of riders with medical conditions that make them uniquely vulnerable. There's an urgent need for reforms and more accountability, said Paul Aronsohn, the state ombudsman for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. One glaring omission: the bus companies hired for the task don't bear the same legal obligations as school districts. 'What is really disconcerting and speaks to the main problem here is there seems to be a lack of accountability. No one is responsible for this,' Aronsohn said.' DEMS THE BREAKS — 'N.J. Democrats face an identity crisis. Why the party is fractured,' by NJ Advance Media's Spencer Kent: 'Democrats are fractured and suffering from an identity crisis after their devastating showing in November's election, some political insiders tell NJ Advance Media. As a result, the New Jersey party is trying to figure out its messaging, its tone and even what it stands for as it strategizes to keep Drumthwacket this fall in Gov. Phil Murphy's final year in office. But it's clear Democrats are still shaken by President Donald Trump capturing the popular vote — and his surprisingly strong showing in the once solidly blue Garden State. 'The bottom line is they don't trust that Democrats can win any seat,' said a top advisor to a Democratic gubernatorial campaign. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss conversations within the party. 'And they also think Democrats are weak.' Behind the scenes, elements of the party are in panic, some say, unsure of itself and its ability to send a clear message on core issues, such as immigration and transgender rights. Others quietly question if it should even stick with those issues.' STACCO— 'Sacco backing Tony Hector & Frank Alonso in anticipated Assembly brawl in LD-33,' by Hudson County View's John Heinis: 'North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco will back former Board of Education Trustee Miguel 'Tony' Hector and Hudson County Director of Weights and Measures Frank Alonso in the 33rd District Assembly race, the team announced. 'My campaign for state Assembly is going to be about exposing Brian Stack's bossism, corruption, waste and endless lust for political power, to protect the taxpayers of North Bergen, Union City, West New York, Gutenberg and Weehawken. We need independent Democrats who will fight for the people, not Boss Stack,' Hector said in a statement. A North Hudson developer and landlord, Hector also accused Stack of trying to 'take over' North Bergen by smearing Sacco and punishing taxpayers in the process.' —'Candidates for New Jersey governor have mixed reactions to the George Norcross dismissal' —'Paterson lawyer to enter 35th District Assembly race, challenging Dem ticket' — 'Baraka Names three powerful women, including Regena Thomas, as campaign co-chair' [And Lizette Delgado-Polanco] —Ciattarelli ally plans 'Subscription Sham' legislation in response to Spadea fundraising —'Should cellphones be banned in schools? No way, these N.J. parents say' — 'Casino association opposes sports betting and internet gaming tax increase in $58B budget plan' —'NJ school aid destined for big changes?' —Snowflack: 'Murphy's last budget address: A reflection' —'Small business owner joins former Teaneck deputy mayor in LD-37 bid' —Scutari hesitant on higher weed taxes TRUMP ERA REPRESENTS THE POOREST COUNTY IN NJ —'Van Drew falls in line as House Republicans push through severe budget bill,' by NJ Spotlight News' Benjamin J. Hulac: 'After a frantic day of arm-twisting and vote-watching, the House narrowly adopted a budget plan that could deliver punishing cuts to national social and health programs, including Medicaid, while increasing spending for the Trump administration's military and immigration objectives. New Jersey's Republicans in the House — Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd), Chris Smith (R-4th) and Tom Kean (R-7th) — voted for the proposal … Wary of potential deep cuts to Medicaid and how those cuts would land in their home districts, Republicans, including Van Drew, had been unsure how they would vote as of Tuesday evening. … How $880 billion in health cuts could be found without that money coming out of Medicaid seems unclear.' GOTNOCOMMENTHEIMER — 'Gottheimer doesn't deny that his congressional campaign is funding gubernatorial super PAC,' by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: 'Ever since a new super PAC called Affordable New Jersey started spending millions of dollars on ads supporting Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly)'s gubernatorial campaign, speculation has abounded that the PAC's money is coming from Gottheimer's own enormous congressional campaign account, which can't spend directly on a state campaign. Gottheimer isn't denying it. The New Jersey Globe attempted to ask Gottheimer multiple times – both in person at the Capitol and via his campaign – whether his congressional campaign, which has amassed $20.7 million as of its most recent filing, was sending money to Affordable New Jersey. The congressman steadfastly declined to comment.' —'Richard Barilla, an independent, files to challenge Rep. Rob Menendez in 2026' —'Pro-Trump 'Let's Go Brandon' store shutting down after 3 years in N.J.' —'Trump may use an N.J. military base to detain immigrants. What do the base's local congressmen think?' LOCAL STATE FINE FOR EMR FIRES EQUIVALENT TO .00005 PERCENT OF ITS STATE TAX CREDIT — 'Camden metal recycler whose fire caused evacuations had a history of violations,' by WHYY's Sophia Schmidt: 'The metal recycling company whose South Camden scrapyard went up in flames Friday, forcing around 100 residents to evacuate, had a history of violations in the city, according to records from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. … 'It's been a serious ongoing problem,' said Kevin Barfield, director of Camden for Clean Air and the former president of the Camden County NAACP. … EMR runs a metal recycling complex along the Delaware River waterfront in South Camden, where the fire took place, as well as a salvaged auto parts store and a scrapyard that buys cars and appliances along I-676 in the city. State environmental officials have cited EMR's Waterfront South sites for several violations in recent years, according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection enforcement records. These violations included emitting smoke and air pollutants that could have posed a 'potential threat' to public health, operating front-end loaders, claw grabbers and industrial magnets without permits, allowing trucks to idle and otherwise failing to operate equipment in line with permits. In 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection charged EMR a penalty of $9,500 for two fires that occurred in 2020 and 2021 at the company's Kaighn Avenue facility, where it stores large piles of auto-shredding waste known as 'fluff.' The agency later settled the matter with EMR, accepting a lower penalty of $7,600.' TOMS RIVEN — 'Toms River mayor's opponents strike first, name candidates for GOP primary fight,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: ' A Republican primary battle is shaping up for four ward council seats after Republicans for Toms River, one of the township's two GOP clubs and frequent opponents of the township's mayor, nominated their candidates for the positions Feb. 24. Ward 3 Councilman James Quinlisk and Ward 4 Councilman David Ciccozzi are seeking re-election. They will be joined by Ward 1 candidate Robert Bianchini and Ward 2 candidate Clinton Bradley on the Republicans for Toms River ticket. … Quinlisk and Ciccozzi, allies of [Mo] Hill, the former mayor, have been staunch critics of Rodrick, and are expected to be challenged by candidates who support the mayor. Rodrick's allies on the council — Council President Justin D. Lamb of Ward 1 and Councilman Bill Byrne of Ward 2 — are expected to run.' —'Neighbors angry as ICE arrests owners of popular Jersey Kebab restaurant in [Haddon Township]' —'Levinson optimistic after meeting with DCA commissioner over casino PILOT lawsuit' —'Democratic Margate music educator enters race for at-large Atlantic County commissioner' —'Atlantic City hiring former Pleasantville police Chief Riggin as public safety director' —'Why were geese found dead at a Sayreville park?' —'Bird flu found in live poultry market in [Union County] marking first domestic case' —'[Trenton] pays $100K to settle sexual harassment case' EVERYTHING ELSE KING OF THE HILL OF BEANS — 'Controversial Goya Foods boss speaks out after leadership change. 'I will not be silenced,'' by NJ Advance Media's Murjani Rawls: 'The embattled CEO and president of Goya Foods has spoken out following a recent board vote regarding his employment with the company. Robert Unanue, who has led the Jersey City-based Hispanic food brand since 2004 — and later sparked backlash against Goya Foods, following his vocal support of President Donald Trump — said in a Monday press release he's been 'left in limbo' and 'has no real answers' after a board vote, which appears to have removed him from his position. In a statement provided to NJ Advance Media Tuesday, a spokesperson for Goya Foods confirmed 'a change in leadership,' but would not provide specifics on the company's 'internal operations.' The spokesperson added the change 'has absolutely no connection to politics or media appearances.' … While Unanue did not confirm his departure Monday, he seems geared toward an exit from the company. He said he intends to focus on his philanthropic efforts, namely eliminating the child trafficking.' IF HE GETS A LIGHT SENTENCE, THEY'LL CALL HIM FLIPPER — 'Ex-United Airlines employee among 3 convicted in bribery, fraud scheme,' by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: 'Three men, including a former United Airlines employee, have admitted to a widespread multi-million dollar bribery and fraud scheme at Newark Liberty International Airport. The ex-United employee, Edward Dolphin, influenced which companies received lucrative contracts and was paid $1.6 million in bribes and kickbacks from multiple companies, the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey said Tuesday. The CEO of one company paid Dolphin nearly $1 million over eight years to win a busing contract.'
