News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Ocean County GOP schism gets crazier

Thursday, August 11, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Ocean County GOP schism gets crazier

Aug 11, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Thursday morning!

One nice thing about intraparty fights is the glimpse they give us into the machinations easily kept hidden by a functional party.

George Gilmore, once again the Ocean County GOP chair, has made a new and apparently undisputed accusation that the people in power before his surprise return to the helm last month hired a private investigator to observe Republican Toms River Councilmember Justin Lamb and his wife, Ashley Lamb, a member of the local school board.

Assemblymember Greg McGuckin (R-Ocean) admitted to the Asbury Park Press that the party did hire a private investigator, but he wouldn't confirm the target. The paper reports that the investigator surveilled the couple, and while the purpose was unclear, it may have had something to do with what Gilmore described as a "smear campaign" that Lamb — a potential candidate for Toms River mayor — doesn't actually live in the ward he represents.

One small but interesting thing mentioned in the story is that the payments to the private investigator went to an attorney, not the investigator himself. So you wouldn't know it from the party's ELEC reports. Indeed, if you look at their latest filing, you'll see a $5,000 payment to the attorney mentioned for "consulting" but you'd have no idea what kind of operation it funded.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 176

WHERE'S MURPHY? Returning from Israel this afternoon

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I did not know about it and I would not have supported it … We don't send detectives to watch our political rivals." — Ocean County Commissioner Jack Kelly

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — UH Local 54's Ben Albert, Sires spox Erica Daughtrey, Menendez staffer Aileen McCandless

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

SENATE PREZ — " NJ Sen. Nicholas Scutari under microscope for alleged absences as prosecutor ," by New Jersey Law Journal's Charles Toutant: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has reopened a civil rights suit stemming from New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari's allegedly frequent absences while serving as municipal prosecutor in Linden. The federal appeals court said in a precedential ruling that plaintiff Yasmine Coello's suit, which attacks the validity of her conviction on a harassment charge, did not accrue for statute-of-limitations purposes until the underlying criminal case was favorably terminated. The suit's reinstatement could create awkward moments for Scutari. Coello claimed that Scutari's absences, and a series of missteps that followed, caused her to serve 18 days in jail on a harassment charge that was later dismissed … When Coello was tried on the harassment charge before DiLeo, Scutari, the municipal prosecutor, was absent. The absence prompted DiLeo to appoint Kathleen Estabrook as a so-called private prosecutor. Estabrook failed to disclose that she also represented Shirley Messina in a separate matter. At the time, Coello was dating Messina's former boyfriend, and Messina filed the harassment charge against Coello."

EDUCATION — Education advocacy groups urge Murphy to abandon Start Strong assessment mandate , by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Education advocates and a group of superintendents are urging Gov. Phil Murphy's administration to abandon its plans to administer a performance test to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey students this fall. Nine organizations representing teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards, county vocational-technical schools and charter schools all signed on to a letter Tuesday calling into question the necessity and value of the Start Strong assessment set to be given to students in grades 3-11 when they walk in their classrooms as early as the end of August. "Our organizations have serious concerns about the relevance and utility of this test," the organizations said in their letter asking Murphy and acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan to allow districts to apply for a waiver to free them from the testing mandate or to extend the administration window to give schools more time to prepare. … The groups said they worry the test is redundant, retesting skills students were just assessed on through the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment this past May.

SUISSE MISS — " One of the biggest, most complicated lawsuits ever in N.J. has a trial set to begin next month, but no judge ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "One of the biggest civil lawsuits in state history – the New Jersey attorney general's claim that Credit Suisse was part of a $10 billon mortgage fraud scheme – has been going on for more than eight years, but with just a month to go before the trial starts, the case is without a judge. Timothy Lydon's resignation from the Superior Court last week to become the new executive director of the Senate Majority Office could delay the start of the September 12 trial. So far, the matter remains on the judiciary schedule – at least until Lydon's replacement as presiding judge of the general equity division is selected … The Credit Suisse lawsuit is hugely complicated, and one attorney who deals in complex litigation says it will be challenging to find a judge who can be brought up to speed in time to keep the September 12 start date intact."

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CBD — " Congestion pricing options studied by MTA would charge NJ drivers extra to get to NYC ," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "The new tolls to enter the Central Business District (CBD) of Manhattan, the area below 60th Street, could range from $9 to $23 during peak hours, $7 to $17 during off-peak hours, or $5 to $12 overnight, according to models used by the report's authors to study the tolling program. These potential tolls would be in addition to tolls paid at other crossings used to reach midtown Manhattan, like the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, whose tolls currently range from $11.75 to $16 for cars. In three of the seven scenarios, drivers coming from New Jersey via the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, which directly enter the CBD, would receive a credit for tolls already paid to use that crossing. In one of the scenarios studied, those two tunnels and drivers crossing the Hudson River using the George Washington Bridge would receive a credit. But none of the scenarios laid out in the report would fully credit drivers using Hudson River crossings for tolls paid before reaching the CBD. There are 'high' scenarios where most of the pre-paid tolls would be credited, there are "low" scenarios where some of the pre-paid tolls are credited, and there are scenarios where there are no credits at all."

TROUBLE BREWING — " 'Unfair and unjust': NJ lawmakers work to remove event and food restrictions on breweries ," by the Asbury Park Press' Alex Biese: "A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Trenton are working to support craft breweries in the wake of new restrictions placed on the beer community by the state. Effective July 1, a special ruling by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control limited microbreweries to 25 on-site activities, 52 private parties and attending 12 off-premises events, and prohibited collaboration between breweries and food vendors or food trucks. … This week, state Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex) and Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth), and Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (D-Bergen), introduced legislation to ease the ABC's restrictions. … The legislation eliminates elements of the ABC's special ruling, including the limits on special and private events a brewery can host each year, as well as prohibitions preventing breweries from collaborating with food vendors or brewing and selling coffee on site."

SPOTTED — Gov. Murphy hanging out with former rival Jack Ciattarelli in Israel.

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BIDEN TIME

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE NEW JERSEY MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN — " The Dr. Oz Senate race is a Snooki-filled Jersey trollfest. NJ has mixed feelings ," by Gannett's Matthew Korfhage: "In a contentious and tightly split election season with many issues dividing the candidates, Fetterman has made Oz's three decades of North Jersey residency the centerpiece of a meme campaign designed to paint Oz as a state-hopping opportunist … The Wawas of New Jersey were full of opinions, it turns out. But outside a station in Brooklawn, self-identified libertarian and cryptocurrency advocate Steve Prager was far less eager to claim Oz for the Garden State. 'That guy's an idiot ... I wouldn't even know he was from New Jersey,"'Prager said. 'Go talk to 10 people walking in here and ask them that question. Nobody — that guy's not from New Jersey. ' … What's most surprising, however, is that New Jerseyans care at all. 'I can count on one finger the number of times the average person in New Jersey has paid close attention to a statewide race in Pennsylvania,' said John Froonjian, director of the Hughes Center for Public Policy at New Jersey's Stockton University. … More important, the campaign has got its message out by slipping the usual shackles of politics and entering the realm of simple entertainment, said Froonjian. Fetterman was aided in this by Oz's celebrity status, and a Betsy Ross Bridge's worth of trolls. And indeed, that bridge carries a billboard welcoming Jerseyans to Pennsylvania 'just like Dr. Oz.' 'Fetterman has kept people laughing,' said Froonjian."

1926: DE VALERA LAUNCHES FIANNA FÁIL PARTY. 2022: VARELA HELPS LAUNCH THE FAIL PARTY — " Former 8th District congressional candidate Varela helps launch Forward Party of NJ," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Former 8th District congressional candidate Brian Varela helped launch the Forward Part of New Jersey last week, one week after the third party hosted their national kickoff on July 26th. 'We need to come together if we want to solve the issues facing our NJ communities. Divisiveness is not the answer,' Varela, a state lead for the party, said in a statement. He had the chance to work with the Forward Party during his race after winning their endorsement, as well as gaining a personal endorsement from party founder Andrew Yang. He now leads an effort aimed at democracy reform."

—" Sierra Club releases map for national park in NJ and PA. Here's what it could look like "

—" N.J.'s Kim, back from controversial Taiwan trip with Pelosi, said it showcased island's democracy "

—Hennelly: " The 2016 Christie speech that presaged the Trump junta "

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LOCAL

PRAISING EACH OTHER THROUGH GRITTED TEETH — A kumbaya moment in Camden? Maybe not. , by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: The Camden City Council late Tuesday adopted an ordinance that would require many employers in the city to disclose where their workers live and information about their salaries. On its face, it's a surprising victory for a group of activists critical of the Democratic machine that exercises a firm grip on local politics. … They had petitioned the council to enact the proposal, expecting it would be rejected, thus enabling them to put it before voters as a referendum in November. But after City Clerk Luis Pastoriza initially rejected the petition — partly on the grounds the city did not have the authority to require employers to disclose the requested information — and after the activists sued, Pastoriza dropped her opposition, allowing the petition to move forward after the activists submitted enough valid signatures. The mayor and City Council president came out in support of the ordinance, but with some changes. … But the activists are not ready to declare victory, and some suspect the tweaks the council made to the ordinance are designed to tank the ordinance while giving the appearance of support.

THIS LAW HAS TEETH — " Sea Isle bans shark fishing off beaches ," by Sea Isle News' Donald Wittkowski : "Sea Isle City is banning shark fishing off its beaches following complaints that drones and other questionable methods were being used to spot some of the big predators swimming offshore and haul them out of the surf. All shark fishing shall be prohibited on or near the beaches and within 600 feet of Sea Isle's shoreline, Mayor Leonard Desiderio announced Tuesday during a City Council meeting … Anyone who is convicted of violating the fishing regulations will risk fines as high as $1,250 in Sea Isle municipal court …. 'I just want to be clear that surf fishing is not a problem. The problem is the shark fishermen trying to lure sharks close to shore,' said Dunn, a resident of 36th Street. He explained that the fishermen have been catching what are considered harmless sharks off the 36th Street beach so far. He is worried that eventually they will attract more aggressive sharks close to the beach near swimmers or surfers … Meanwhile, photos and video have been circulating on social media in recent weeks showing sharks being caught off the beach in Sea Isle or cruising around not too far offshore."

A COMPANY THAT GOT A HUGE TAX BREAK — "Recycling center burdened residents for years, needs stricter N.J. DEP oversight, non-profit says," by NJ Advance Media's Steven Rodas: "Noxious smoke billowing into the southern part of the city. Explosions that could be heard throughout downtown. Walls shuddering in buildings by the waterfront. All have been issues faced over the years by Camden residents, which they say are tied to the ongoing practices at the nearby Eastern Metal Recycling facility. Eastern Metal Recycling, or EMR, is a UK-based recycling business with yards throughout the world including Newark and Egg Harbor, according to its website. In Camden, the company runs My Auto Store, an EMR subsidiary, on the 1400 block of Ferry Avenue that recycles used cars, and a sprawling recycling center on the waterfront that processes recyclables and other waste. Camden-based non-profit Center for Environmental Transformation says EMR should be more heavily-regulated and should be required to register with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a 'solid waste facility,' according to a notice of intent sent to EMR and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection"

—" Newark residents continue boiling water, as city works to repair water main break "

— " Will Branchburg taxpayers want to spend $25 million to stop warehouse construction? "

—" Is NJCU's Fort Monmouth campus in trouble? "

—" Murphy taps Ocean Township mayor for top Monmouth election post "

—" Monkeypox case confirmed in Vineland "

—" Division over sex education curriculum continues in Garwood "

—" Should suspended Englewood school board member be allowed to return? "

—" Kevin Smith expands business empire with Atlantic Highlands movie theater purchase "

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EVERYTHING ELSE

SCHOOL FOR PROSECUTORS WITH HIDDEN EVIDENCE — " Beleaguered prosecutor Nicodemo off the Eisemann Case; Trial moves forward despite state's objection ," by The Lakewood Scoop: "The lead prosecutor in the case against SCHI founder Rabbi Osher Eisemann, Deputy Attorney General John Nicodemo, has been removed from the Eisemann case, just weeks after Judge Joseph Paone ruled that the prosecution violated the Brady Act by withholding key exculpatory evidence from the defense. Regardless, the state is not backing down on their prosecution of the revered SCHI founder, as they push forward in an attempt to appeal a decision from Judge Paone vacating the convictions and ordering a new trial.

A BUG'S DEATH — " The plague of spotted lanternflies has descended on NY and NJ — but it may not be as bad as we thought ," by Gothamist's Gwynne Hogan: "[O]ur marching orders were clear: kill, kill, kill, no questions asked … The doomsday predictions have come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as local state offices. Researchers at Penn State sounded alarms in 2020, six years after the invasive little bug arrived in Pennsylvania — their first stop on U.S. soil. They warned the bug could decimate agriculture production of all kinds, damage forests and timber industries, and wreak havoc on fruit production. The bug feeds on upwards of 70 different types of plants, and there was a possibility it might kill them in droves or dramatically reduce agricultural output for a host of crops. But fast-forward two years and that's not quite what happened, according to Julie Urban, a research associate professor at Penn State's entomology department.' 'It's not as bad as we first thought,' she told Gothamist. 'It's really just a stressor. It doesn't kill it."

SORRY ABOUT THAT. ONE TOO MANY CHILI DOGS — " Widespread odor prompts emergency calls around South Jersey ," by NJ Advance Media's Noah Cohen: "Officials in South Jersey were investigating widespread reports of an odor that prompted multiple emergency calls in the area Wednesday afternoon. Reports of the odor were centered in the Gloucester County area, according to officials. Initial reports from police said the smell was caused by a natural gas leak, but officials later said it was from a fuel additive."

—" Hospitals failed to keep air conditioning working as indoor temps soared, N.J. health dept. says "

—" This N.J. hospital canceled surgeries over alleged understaffing. Now it's suing "

—" Proud mother rents billboard in New Jersey after daughter becomes doctor "

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NextEra Energy didn't become the world's largest generator of wind and solar power overnight. We've been building and operating large-scale energy projects across North America for decades and powering New Jersey for nearly a quarter-century. Our first solar farm in the Garden State was built in West Deptford. Yet, our contributions have gone far deeper—from counseling local businesses on how to reach clean energy goals and operating battery storage facilities to providing dozens of solar sites on buildings from Cape May to High Point and working to help New Jersey reach its offshore wind goals. We know how to get big, complex projects done on time and on budget. We power homes, neighborhoods, and entire cities, all while putting customers first, prioritizing the environment, and working with local communities to create jobs and limit disruptions. NextEra Energy Transmission is committed to empowering a greener New Jersey.