News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Seeing Redd

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Seeing Redd

Oct 12, 2022

Good Wednesday morning!

Decades of loyalty to a political machine can pay off. Ask former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, who will soon be able to collect a six-figure pension while working a lucrative job as CEO of a Camden nonprofit.

Redd last month left her $275,000-a-year post as CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors to become CEO of the Camden Community Partnership, formerly known as the Coopers Ferry Partnership. I don't know what her new salary is, but public documents show her predecessor Kris Kolluri (who was also her predecessor at the university board) earned about $400,000 in 2020. Based on what I read in the state pension guide, Redd should be eligible to begin collecting her public pension next year without penalty. And by my calculation, it should be worth about $160,000 annually.

If you've read my stuff at all over the past few years, you'll be familiar with the tale about how the Legislature at the end of former Gov. Chris Christie's term quickly passed, and Christie signed, a law designed to allow Redd back into the pension system just in time for her to take that pensionable job. If that hadn't happened, Redd's pension would have been worth less than a quarter of what it is now.

Why do I focus on this so much? Because of how brazen it was. Christie and the South Jersey Democratic machine were the key players in reducing public sector benefits for everyone else. But they went out of their way to award a loyal political soldier by passing legislation intended just for her. And now, if Redd's salary is anything like Kollouri's, she'll be pulling in more than half a million dollars. Granted, the bulk of that will be from the charity, but much of its funding comes from the government anyway.

Just remember this: The very same people who stressed the need to cut back on public worker benefits are the ones who engineered this arrangement for their political ally.

Read more about it here.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY : "We've had dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots who sing along, rabbits, fish – people have brought in fish tanks … There is barking – there's always barking. It's actually nice to hear it. It lends some life to that space." — Rev. Jeffrey Roy of St. George's by the River Episcopal Church in Rumson, which holds a monthly pet-friendly service

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

'CASTLES MADE OF SAND WILL NEVER FALL IN THE SEA EVER' - JIMI HENDRIX — "Sandy 10 years later: 1 quadrillion buckets of sand, $500M and an uncertain future," by The Asbury Park Press' Dan Radel : "When New Jersey looked to salvage its battered coastline after superstorm Sandy hit on Oct. 29, 2012, engineers, politicians and federal officials turned almost immediately to the smallest particle on the shoreline: sand. And it is a mind-boggling amount of sand. If you gave every person in the world a five-gallon bucket, had them fill it with sand 174,126 times and then dump it on the beaches here, that would equal the volume of the beige grains dumped on the Jersey Shore. That's roughly 1.35 quadrillion buckets of sand — 33 million cubic yards — that the Army Corps of Engineers pumped up onto the beaches of Monmouth and Ocean counties between 2013 and 2019 to buffer the coast from another powerful storm like Sandy. A quadrillion, for the uninitiated, is a number with fifteen zeros. It was a momentous task. The cost topped $500 million from federal, state and local tax dollars. The local sand project makes up the lion's share of the more than $785 million in beach replenishment that's been completed for the entire New Jersey coastline during those seven years … Critics argue the efforts are wrecking local fishing grounds and even some proponents wonder if the near-constant stream of sand is little more than a bandage on a worsening problem. And the increasing consequences of climate change loom large in every discussion."

DRUGS — SCI: Addiction rehabilitation industry 'victimized' recovering addicts, by POLITICO's Daniel Han : The addiction rehabilitation industry in New Jersey engages in shady — and at times seemingly illicit — practices that are often to the detriment of people seeking treatment, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation revealed during a hearing Tuesday. During a roughly three-hour hearing, the SCI outlined instances of employees tampering with tests to create false positives for drug use, drug use being encouraged for recovering addicts and apparent quid pro quos between nonprofits and addiction treatment facilities to help pad each others bottom lines. "The recovery industry theoretically exists to help people overcome their addictions and get them back to healthy and productive lives," SCI Chair Tiffany Williams Brewer said. "But the reality is that many addicted individuals and their families are victimized by the very system that's supposed to help them recover and rebuild their lives, unfortunately."

—"NJ beaches are still a battered mess after Hurricane Ian"

—"HPAE to Gov. Murphy: 'Why are you standing on the sidelines?'"

—" Courts saw huge uptick in stalled cases in first year of pandemic, new report says"

—"NJ domestic violence victims don't always speak English. Language access is critical | Opinion "

BIDEN TIME

RONNAWAY — "Media-averse Kean Holds a closed-to-the-press rally," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: " There are a lot of 'rah-rahs' and 'hip hip hoorays' at Get Out The Vote, or GOTV, rallies. This isn't a time for substantive discussion of serious issues. It's more like, 'Vote for our guy; He's great and the other guy is a bum.' Nothing about this is the least bit controversial. Tom Kean Jr. seems to have a different view regarding what often resembles a high school pep rally. A GOTV rally planned for Saturday at the local American Legion Hall to benefit his CD-7 campaign is closed to the press. Those running the show haven't said why … The featured speaker is scheduled to be Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the Republican National Committee. Her presence certainly tells you two things – the race in CD-7 is close and very important … It is necessary to point out two things regarding Kean's rather stealth campaign. One is that it's debatable if average voters care about Kean's refusal to engage with the press or to hold public events. The other is that Kean's campaign is an outlier; all other Republicans seeking competitive House seats this cycle hold open events and talk to those pesky journalists."

EXPUNGEWORTHY? — " Murphy won't have to pardon N.J. weed crimes despite Biden order. Here's why," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "The expungement provision in New Jersey's law legalizing recreational cannabis means that there is no need for Gov. Phil Murphy to pardon anyone convicted of possessing marijuana, according to a spokeswoman … In New Jersey, such low-level charges were ordered to be expunged in July 2021, Murphy spokeswoman Alyana Alfaro Post said. 'Because these low-level marijuana offenses are being expunged from individuals' records, pardons are not necessary,' she said … Alfaro Post said. But the state's expungement process has come under fire for being too slow and not comprehensive enough. Lawyer Michael Hoffman, who has handled expungement cases, said the state was 'very selective' Hoffman said that only about half of the 1 million people convicted of possession from 1990 to 2018 had their convictions automatically erased. Many of the others had additional crimes, such as wandering (or loitering) the purpose of obtaining drugs. They need to go through an extra step to get those convictions expunged, he said."

—" Judges security bill named for slain son of N.J. jurist may now bypass GOP senator blocking it"

—"Senator Menendez joins with Zelle scam victims in Jersey City to call for stronger regulations"

LOCAL

THE JOB KEEPERS — "NY and NJ officers found on an Oath Keepers list a year back still have their jobs ," by WNYC's Matt Katz: "Craig Iacouzzi, a detective at the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in Jersey City. Last year, Iacouzzi confirmed to Gothamist that he signed up online for the Oath Keepers, but said he only did so for an 'email subscription' to receive 'current events and a different take on mainstream media perspective' and that he 'never met anybody or spoke to anybody' from the organization. At the time, a spokesperson for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said it was concerned and investigating the incident. Last week, spokesperson Caitlin Mota told Gothamist that the investigation into Iacouzzi, who is still employed at the office, was complete. 'As this is a personnel matter, the findings are confidential and we cannot comment any further,' she said in an email."

CLARK BARRED — "Clark whistleblower threatens to sue to township as racism probe stretches into third year," by NJ Advance Media's Riley Yates and S.P. Sullivan : "A whistleblower who documented racism at Clark's town hall is again threatening to sue the township, saying officials have retaliated against him and prevented him from securing new employment. Former police Lt. Antonio Manata's potential lawsuit represents the latest development in a scandal thrust into the public eye in March. That's when NJ Advance Media revealed Clark had paid him more than $400,000 to conceal secret recordings he'd made of the mayor, the police chief and an internal affairs sergeant using racial slurs that included the n-word. The intent-to-sue notice, filed with the township last month, claims Manata has faced consistent blowback from Clark officials, whom he charges have undermined him in ways large and small. Those range from refusing to process the firearms permit he needs to work as a former law enforcement officer to refusing to pick up recycling at his home in town, says the filing by attorney Anthony Kearns."

NEWARK COPS — "Cops tried to nab N.J. man for drunk driving. He slowly died in their custody ," by NJ Advance MEdia's Joe Atmonavage : "When two Newark police officers came upon Juan Restrepo around 9:45 on a sunny morning in June 2020, the 73-year-old was sitting in the front seat of a rental car with a busted hood and deployed airbags. He was disheveled and struggled to communicate or follow officers' orders to shut off the car, according to police body camera video … [T]he officers decided to do a breathalyzer test. Only, there was no one available in the city to administer one, Orsi said in the video. Figueroa ordered the officers to check with Rutgers-Newark police, New Jersey Transit police and nearby towns like Belleville and Nutley for someone who could give the breathalyzer. Eventually, New Jersey Transit police agreed to do it. What would happen next is now the subject of a lawsuit. As Restrepo screamed in pain, unable to stand or walk at times, officers carried him through Penn Station by his arms and legs en route to Transit police, according to the body camera footage. Upon arrival, Restrepo couldn't complete the breathalyzer, and officers arrested him. Less than two hours later, he was dead. An autopsy found no drugs or alcohol in his system."

DON'T CAVE IN ON CAVEN — " Friends of Liberty State Park joined by officials, residents at rally to protect Caven Point," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Friends of Liberty State Park were joined by Jersey City officials and residents at a rally to protect Caven Point on Saturday in light of a bill making it's way through the legislature that would do just that. 'Believe it or not, that sandy beach along Caven Point is the only sandy beach for miles in either direction. They bring school kids here, thousands of children every year to study and learn about the annual migration of the horseshoe crab, the monarch butterfly. There are species of migratory birds that you can't see right now,' noted Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-33). 'The hubris of a billionaire to look at public land from up there [points to Liberty National Golf Course] and literally think 'I can buy this.' … 8th District Democratic congressional nominee Rob Menendez, FOLSP President Sam Pesin, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O'Dea, and NY/NJ Baykeeper Greg Remaud were among other officials who spoke in favor of preserving Caven Point."

NJ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON SO FAR: ONE DEATH AND TWO SPINAL CORD INJURIES — " Keyport football player suffers serious neck & spinal injury in game, expected to recover," by NJ Advance Media's Ryan Patti: "Keyport football player Logan Blanks suffered a severe neck and spinal cord injury during a game on Saturday … Blanks was taken by ambulance to Jersey Shore Medical Center where he had two extensive multi-hour long surgeries over the weekend to address the injury. According to the statement, Blanks 'has feeling, movement and sensation in his limbs' and despite an expected, long recovery, the senior linebacker is 'in good spirits.' … [T]his is not the first devastating injury this football season in N.J., it comes only two weeks after another Shore-area football player, Aaron Van Trease of St. John Vianney suffered a serious spinal cord injury during a game against Manasquan on Sept. 23. Van Trease. Two days earlier, Xavier McClain, a 16-year-old sophomore at Linden High, died, nearly two weeks after he suffered a serious injury during a Sept. 9 game against Woodbridge High. Linden officials have released no details about McClain's injury"

—"Harrington Park school superintendent resigns for college job "

—"Dog owner who was KO'd by Jersey City police officer in 2017 will receive $925K settlement"

—"Passaic County's Democratic sheriff taking family event to GOP turf as Election Day nears"

—" New casino dealing school opens in Pleasantville"

—"Plans to make oldest school in Newark into museum and boys chorus school scrapped, now in limbo "

EVERYTHING ELSE

HALL OF SHAME TO BREAK GROUND AT STATEHOUSE — "New Jersey Hall of Fame breaks ground at American Dream," by NJ Advance Media's Allison Pries: "Climb aboard a replica Model "T" Ford while former astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly narrate New Jersey's many contributions to the field of science. Or hop on a hologram karaoke stage and sing-along with music legends, and New Jersey natives, including Gloria Gaynor and Frankie Valli. These and more attractions will be found inside the 10,000 square foot New Jersey Hall of Fame that just broke ground at American Dream, the mega-mall in the Meadowlands announced Tuesday. The Hall of Fame, dubbed an 'entertainment and learning center' is expected to be completed in spring 2023."

OOPS HE DID IT AGAIN — "Same time, this year: Man charged with robbing Hoboken bank -- again," by The Jersey Journal's Ron Zeitlinger: "For the second time in a little more than a year, an accused serial bank robber has been arrested for pulling off a heist at a Bank of America in Hoboken, authorities said. Everton Gunter, 31, who was arrested three times in a seven-week span last year, is charged with robbing $50,000 from the bank at Second and Hudson streets on Oct. 5, Lt. Jonathan Mecka said … He was arrested in September 2021 trying to flee after robbing $18,000 from the same bank. Police caught him trying to get on a PATH train to New York. Some seven weeks earlier, he was arrested after robbing TD banks in Hoboken and Jersey City. The dispositions of those cases were not immediately available."

—"N.J. residents charged after drunken disturbance disrupts Kevin Hart show, police say"

—" Jersey Shore native Bob Santelli named executive director of Bruce Springsteen archives"

—" Statue of Liberty crown reopens to visitors for first time in over 2 years"

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