| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Wednesday morning! During the debate about the county line, I’d sometimes hear from defenders of the machine system argue that political organizations help vet candidates before they reach the primary, effectively acting as a screen to lessen the likelihood that undesirable candidates can win the nomination. This isn’t a perfect example, but I think it runs against that point. Technically, the Camden Advisory Board of Education is elected in non-partisan contests. But the winning slate has been backed by the Camden County Democratic Committee, including Board President Wasim Muhammad. Now Muhammad is facing impassioned calls for his resignation following a $2 million settlement with a former student who claimed Muhammad had sex with her when she was his 7th grade social studies teacher in 1994. Despite the settlement, the reportedly multi-wived Muhammad has denied the allegations. I tried to reach him and his lawyer yesterday but couldn’t, but you can find his response on his Facebook page. Camden state-appointed Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs has called on Muhammad to resign, as has state Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. But I haven’t seen any calls to resign by local officials. And I reached out to several yesterday to ask. To be clear, top Camden County Democrats actively supported Muhammad in his elections in 2020 and 2023. In 2024, the contact email address for members of his slate — Education for Everyone — was info@camdencountydems.com. It’s not hard to imagine there’s a private push to get Muhammad to resign among the top Democrats. But they’re not saying it publcly. “I think everyone should make a statement not to condemn Wasim Muhammad, but to condemn the lack of democracy, integrity and ethics,” said Ronsha Dickerson, a Camden anti-machine advocate who attended the last board meeting to call on Muhammad to resign. “It looks like anyone can do anything and sit in a seat.” TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Gary Schaer, Yael Bromberg, Michael Maitland, Jeh Johnson, Megan DeMarco, Lauren DiFilippo QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Yeah, I'm glad he's going away." — UAW Region 9 Director Dan Vicente to News 12’s Eric Landskroner when asked if he has a message for Gov. Phil Murphy REMEMBERING 9/11: “Faces of the New Jersey victims of Sept. 11” WHERE’S MURPHY? In Manhattan for the 9/11 commemoration ceremony
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HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS GUY? — Eric Adams’ pick for city lawyer pulls his bid ahead of formal rejection, by POLITICOs Jeff Coltin: The City Council meeting Thursday is going to be a bit shorter, now that controversial attorney Randy Mastro is pulling his name for consideration to lead the city Law Department. The change comes just two days before the legislative body was set to vote down his nomination by a wide margin. “It is with a heavy heart that I respectfully request you withdraw your nomination of me to become the City’s next Corporation Counsel,” Mastro wrote in a letter to Mayor Eric Adams that City Hall shared with POLITICO, using the missive to excoriate the legislative body. City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy said the administration also sent the letter to the council, hoping they would pull the vote. A diminished council calendar may be the only real impact. Mayor Eric Adams’ nomination for the position known as corporation counsel seemed doomed from the start. … The overwhelmingly Democratic council had concerns that Mastro — a Democrat who has worked for Republicans — was too politically conservative, and that he would be loyal to only Mayor Adams. Members were also not eager to do the mayor a favor amid ongoing tensions with his side of City Hall.
— “Sen. Weinberg: Revisiting the shape-shifters of Bridgegate,” by Loretta Weinberg for The Star-Ledger: “When toll lanes leading up to the busiest bridge in the world, the George Washington Bridge, were mysteriously closed for five long days, causing massive traffic delays, the Bridgegate scandal was born. … The latest iteration came last week, when Bridget Anne Kelly testified in front of the New York City Council about the nomination of Randy Mastro as the city’s next Corporate Counsel. … All of these years later, most of the players (indicted and un-indicted) landed squarely on their feet with high paying jobs and cushy appointments. Except for Bridget Anne Kelly, who is still in political jail. … And then there was Mastro.” GATSBER THE UNFRIENDLY GHOST GUN — “More home-made guns are being built in N.J and used in crimes. New laws are needed now, agency says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “They are easy to build, require no background checks and are virtually untraceable. Printing plans to build them are readily accessible online. And the 3-D printing technology that enables anyone to build their own deadly “ghost gun” can also be used to create switches that can transform a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun. In a new report issued Tuesday, the State Commission of Investigation called for new laws outlawing the possession. of 3-D printing plans used to construct such weapons, as well as banning conversion devices that allow them to switch to rapid-fire. … The proposed changes in New Jersey’s criminal laws come after the SCI, an independent New Jersey government watchdog, held a public hearing in April into the proliferation of ghost guns and 3D-printable firearm components, which police say are increasingly showing up at crimes scenes.” —“What a worker’s strike at U.S. ports will mean for consumers” —“Judge will consider Norcross bid to dismiss indictment in January”
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GOPHEIMER AND… I DON’T HAVE ONE FOR SHERRILL — “When Sherrill and Gottheimer side with Republicans,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin J. Hulac: “In January 2023, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th) was one of 11 House Democrats to vote to end the national emergency declaration issued in March 2020 about the COVID-19 pandemic, a tool that empowered federal agencies to combat the disease. The White House opposed the end of that national declaration, warning that the bill Sherrill supported undercut public health. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th) broke with the Biden administration and most of his Democratic colleagues over issues related to Israel twice in recent months — first as one of 12 Democrats to vote for a roughly $14 billion weapons package for Israel and then as one of 22 Democrats to vote to censure their party peer Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American from Michigan, for comments critical of the Israeli government. While Gottheimer and Sherrill are typically reliable Democratic votes in Congress, they peeled off dozens of times during their current terms from many of their fellow Democrats, in particular voting for Republican bills and amendments on issues of immigration, policing and voting rights. … Those 38 votes represent a sliver of the total 1,124 votes the House has taken so far in this Congress. But they provide glimpses of what issues Sherrill and Gottheimer prioritize, how their voting records differ and how they might lead if elected governor.”
—“Democratic Senate campaign chair says he’s not worried about N.J. Senate race” —“Part of Paterson Great Falls park would be named for the late Rep. Pascrell if bill passes” —Snowflack: “Reproductive rights flashpoint: Kim v. Bashaw”
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Partnerships between Uber and transit agencies can connect communities and address critical transportation challenges like improving first-mile/last-mile connectivity. Learn More. | | | SEEING REDD — @PKBNews: “The Camden City Council voted 4-1 on a controversial bill than would remove the spending limit on legal representation for past and present city employees and officials. Shortly after that vote, many in the audience protested the vote.” FLICK CITY — “Newark is doubling down on film, TV production. Bob Dylan movie, new Bride of Frankenstein, more,” by NJ Advance Media’s Amy Kuperinsky: “Newark has been getting its close-up on film and TV for decades now. From the Gotham of “Joker” to Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” the “Sopranos” prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark” and real-life Newark story “Rob Peace,” the city has been a major player in New Jersey’s reassertion of its status as the first Hollywood. Now the Newark Office of Film and Television, established when Cory Booker was mayor, says it’s doubling down on production as well as connecting locals with opportunities in the industry under the administration of Mayor Ras Baraka. Desireè Hadley, current director of the office, which is based out of NJPAC, tells NJ Advance Media that the push comes as the planned Lionsgate studio complex at the former site of the Seth Boyden housing projects is ‘18 to 24 months’ out in the city’s South Ward.” THE MAYOR WILL LOVE THIS — “Toms River church seeks permission to open a homeless shelter near downtown,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “A downtown church is seeking zoning board permission to build a 949-square-foot shelter for the homeless next to an outreach office on its Washington Street property. The shelter would be built as an addition to an existing outreach and counseling office on the church property, according to Harvey L. York, the Toms River lawyer who is representing applicant Christ Episcopal Church. It would hold 17 beds for those without homes. … Ocean County has no permanent shelter for the homeless” THE PRIVATEERS — “NJ municipalities debate privatizing water supplies,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “Voters in two New Jersey municipalities will decide in November if private companies will take ownership of their water supplies, and a third will vote on its sewer system. New Jersey American Water has proposed purchasing the water utility in South Orange and the sewer system in Gloucester Township, while Veolia Water New Jersey is seeking to take over the water utility in Manalapan. Simple majorities in the municipalities will decide if these companies will take over, or if local governments will continue to operate their water and sewer systems. The cost of maintaining water infrastructure has become more difficult for smaller municipalities, especially as national and state standards have changed. Some critics, however, argue that privatizing utilities will lead to higher prices for ratepayers.” PATERSON COPS — “N.J. cop charged with stalking after telling woman to ‘sleep with one eye open,’ police say,” by NJ Advance Medai’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A Paterson police officer indicted earlier this year on stalking charges allegedly messaged his victim that he was going to beat her and said she should ‘sleep with one eye open,’ according to court documents. Alberto Sanabria, 38, an officer with the Paterson Police Department since 2017, also showed up at the victim’s home in uniform on Dec. 23, 2023, to drop off Christmas items that she didn’t want or ask for, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case. Sanabria allegedly arrived unannounced to her job and threatened her with menacing messages from different cell phone numbers, according to the affidavit. The two had once dated, according to the affidavit. … ‘Hello, remember me?’ Sanabria texted the woman from a number she did not recognize, according to the affidavit. He alleged in the text that she had gotten him fired from a job. ‘Just want to let you know I hope you sleep with one eye open from now on. And don’t worry, living on the top floor won’t help or protect you. As for your job, no worry, I’m going to return the favor very, very soon. Don’t close them eyes,’ the officer allegedly texted.” TAME COMPARED TO THE DOMINICAN PARTIES MENENDEZ ATTENDED — “Paterson leaders ask why chaos that followed the Dominican parade should be tolerated,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “A video showing a man throw a blindside punch at a police officer on Sunday night outraged community leaders, who say the city needs to stop the post-Dominican parade parties that engulf Paterson in chaos every September. With authorities estimating that peak crowds exceeded 25,000 people, the Paterson Police Department deployed an extra 180 officers — almost half the department — to try to keep things under control. In the hours after the parade, Paterson police arrested six people on gun-related charges, including four men from New York, officials said. The weapons arrests of the New Yorkers seemed to bear out what community members and law enforcement officials repeatedly said about the post-parade mayhem: that it was largely caused by outsiders who came to Paterson acting as if they could do whatever they wanted.” LESS CHILLTOWN — “Jersey City council to consider limiting cannabis dispensaries after year-long moratorium,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “The Jersey City council may limit cannabis retail licenses in its six wards after a year-long moratorium on approving new businesses. Placing a cap on the number of dispensaries would allay fears that unrestrained, the city’s cannabis market would quickly become oversaturated. Without agreeing on a number, the council enacted a six-month moratorium last April that has been extended four times. The moratorium is currently set to end in October. The city council plans to introduce an amended ordinance Wednesday that would limit the number of licenses for cultivators, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers to three in each category for the entire city.” —“Ex-student settles lawsuit for $150K after alleged sexual assault in [Vineland] high school” —“Randolph is a new swing town, with council control up this year” —“Sayreville mosque proposal has been downsized” —“Art of the deal: A look inside Fulop’s proposal to revive Centre Pompidou x Jersey City project” —“Testa asks Murphy to deny $6M for Jersey City if they don’t refund Pompidou grant” —“Haledon officer in 'serious, but stable condition' after accidental shooting during training” —“Police officers assigned to every school in Atlantic City” R.I.P. — “Fairfield police and community mourn death of award-winning officer from cancer” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NEW JERSEY DIVE — “NJ divers find shipwreck 168 years after hit-and-run plunged passengers to murky seafloor,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “A New Jersey dive boat team from Point Pleasant Beach has announced that it is has discovered the long lost French transatlantic passenger steamship Le Lyonnais, which sunk Nov. 2, 1856, following a collision with the American sailing vessel Adriatic. Only 16 of the ship's 132 passengers were rescued from lifeboats. The rest are believed to have perished. … The ship was thought to have sunk southeast of Nantucket Shoals off the coast of Massachusetts. However, the dive team from Atlantic Wreck Salvage located the vessel a little further out to sea, on the Georges Bank, 200 miles from New Bedford, Massachusetts.”
—“[Rider University] president to retire amid school’s financial struggles” —“A closer look at Monmouth Park development lease: 298 rental units, hotel, a future for racing?” —“NJ man had surgery as hospital, insurer disputed contract. Then he got a $25K bill” —“United flight attendant harassed, called ‘snitch’ for reporting violations, lawsuit says”
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