| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Is Tiffany Williams Brewer, the new CEO of the State Commission of Investigation, a New Jersey resident or a Maryland resident? The Asbury Park Press reports that Williams has two full-time jobs — at the SCI and at Howard University in Washington, where she’s a tenure-track professor. And when she recently bought a home in Maryland, she filed a form declaring it her principal residence. Yet she voted in Tinton Falls. This is a problem. While nothing in state law bars Williams Brewer from having two full-time jobs — that’s not to say it’s ethical — it does require state employees to reside here. This would be an embarrassing story for any high-level state official. But the one in charge of the State Commission of Investigation — an agency charged with investigating “waste, fraud and abuse”? Come on. And to add insult to injury, the agency was evasive when asked how Williams Brewer could be a New Jersey resident while claiming the Maryland home as her main residence. Potential legal issues aside, it strains credulity that the leader of a state agency could hold two full-time jobs nearly 200 miles apart, and only be in the Trenton office one day per week. At least two GOP lawmakers — state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblymember Paul Kanitra — think she should be out of the job. If only there was a state agency that could investigate this. Side note: I’ve been critical of Gannett for writing about things like jelly bean flavors while eschewing beat reporting. But this is real public service journalism by one of its main New Jersey publications. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Saturday for Sonny McCullough, Francisco Maldonado-Ramirez. Sunday for Aimee Focaraccio, John Lanza, Eliza McDonald. WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Forget about how I feel. People should be outraged that you can weaponize the Justice Department like that.” — Gov. Murphy on the alleged politicization of the nursing home deaths investigation by the Trump DOJ |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | BAD BOYS — “N.J. police spent $1M on controversial training despite warnings,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “A year after a private police training firm came under fire over its alleged use of racist, misogynistic and sexually explicit language in classes attended by hundreds of cops, nearly 400 New Jersey law enforcement agencies paid more than $1 million for the controversial seminars, a state watchdog said Thursday. Some police departments were repeat customers who signed up for the seminars after the firm came under sharp criticism, according to the Office of the State Comptroller. At the same time, internal records indicated that the firm, Street Cop Training, which the comptroller said promoted 'dangerous, improper, and likely illegal policing tactics,' was all too willing to help officers hide their attendance at its courses or events, or their involvement as instructors. In one instance, according to the comptroller, an active-duty New Jersey State Police trooper requested to continue to sell his on-demand courses without it being advertised on the company website to 'avoid any scrutiny’ from New Jersey. The Comptroller said there were also multiple communications from other Street Cop instructors, including active New Jersey law enforcement officials, to the firm’s administrative staff seeking to keep their involvement and their training materials 'from getting out there.’” SETON HALL — Seton Hall president urged to resign after report he knew of sex abuse claims, by POLITICO's Dustin Racioppi: Lawmakers and victim advocates are calling for Seton Hall University’s president to resign after POLITICO revealed he was named in an internal report on sexual abuse allegations more than five years ago. They also want the Catholic university to release the findings as a measure of transparency and accountability. A 2019 memo detailing the internal investigation, viewed by POLITICO, did not accuse the new president, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, of abuse. But it said he knew of sexual abuse allegations that he did not report. Investigators recommended, pursuant to a responsive action plan the school’s governing body adopted, Reilly be removed as a seminary leader and member of university boards. Instead, he took a yearlong sabbatical, returned as a vice provost and, in November, formally became president of the New Jersey school. “I simply have no tolerance for the normalization of sexual assault or support for those who cover up acts of predators. I have college-aged kids; this reporting is deeply disturbing to me,” said Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. GOTTHEIMER DONORS — “Who will pay for congestion pricing?” by NJ Spotlight News’ Taylor Jung: “New Jersey leaders failed in their legal effort to stop New York’s congestion pricing plans last week, saying the toll will hurt the wallets of everyday New Jerseyans that drive to Manhattan for work. But impact studies paint a more nuanced picture of who will pay for the toll. Analysis in these studies shows just a small percentage of New Jersey commuters will be affected, and those drivers make an average of 40% over the median income in the Garden State … New Jersey residents who commute by car to the congestion pricing zone make an average of $141,000 according to Replica, an urban planning tool that uses cell phone and other public data. Out of 9 million New Jersey residents, the MTA also estimated in 2023 that around 42,000 people would make the drive into the zone if the toll was not implemented. That’s compared to over 200,000 who commute to the same area by public transportation. The MTA’s analysis also found that over 10,000 non-work journeys from New Jersey and within the congestion pricing zone are made by car, including taxis and vehicles-for-hire, out of almost 47,000 trips made by all modes of transportation.” GOTTA BEAT THAT TWO-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS — Wimberly allegedly spent campaign funds on personal expenses, ELEC charges, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Assemblymember Benjie Wimberly, who’s seeking the move up to the state Senate, allegedly spent more than $7,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses, according to a recent complaint filed by the Election Law Enforcement Commission. The Dec. 18 complaint, which also names Wimberly Treasurer David Cozart, charges they also failed to file the campaign finance report for the final quarter of 2022 that would have contained those expenses. Wimberly, a Democrat, said all of the expenses, which are mostly made up of airfare and hotel stays in Virginia, were legitimate political costs. “I’m confident that there is nothing that’s going to come out of it,” he said in a brief phone interview. The complaint was first reported Thursday morning by The Paterson Press. MURPHY ENDORSES CIATTARELLI — “Passaic GOP chairman endorses Ciattarelli,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Jack Ciattarelli picked up a key supporter in his gubernatorial bid with an endorsement today from Passaic County GOP Chairman Peter Murphy. ‘Passaic County has been moving towards Republicans since Jack’s campaign in 2021, and took another step with President Trump’s victory here last November,’ said Murphy. ‘With Jack leading our ticket in 2021, we flipped a County Commissioner seat, and with the gains President Trump made last year in Paterson, Passaic City, and other towns, we are primed to win big in 2025.’ Republicans flipped a county commissioner seat in 2021 when Nicolino Gallo ousted an incumbent, and Murphy thinks they could win two seats this year with Ciattarelli at the top of the ticket.” — "Sweeney: As NJ governor, I will make people with disabilities a top priority | Opinion” — “Fulop releases sustainability plan: ‘Climate change is the defining issue of our time’” — “As Trump term nears, NJ advocates push ‘parental rights’” — “Governor hopefuls take ‘easy political aim’ at House Dems not voting on immigration bill” | | BIDEN TIME | |
TOUGH VOTES — @DaniellaMicaela: Most Democratic senators voted to open debate on the Laken Riley Act except: Kim, Booker, Warren, Merkley, Markey, Smith, Sanders, Schatz, Hirono
— “Rob Menendez beats out crowded field to claim Energy & Commerce seat” — “Jimmy Carter and Bill Pascrell brought humility to our politics. We miss them | Opinion” | | LOCAL | |
CHOP CHOP THAT’S THE SOUND OF THE POLISE — “Another North Jersey tree-cutting case ends in big fine, but restoration work remains,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “For the second time in a year, a Kinnelon resident has been slapped with a five-figure fine for illegally clearing dozens of trees on a neighbor's property. Vincenzo Polise pleaded guilty in Kinnelon Municipal Court on Dec. 17 to violating the borough's tree ordinance and was fined $15,000 by Judge Andrew Wubbenhorst. Polise, owner of MVM Realty One LLC, was cited in August 2023 for clearing 3½ acres from a hillside behind the 33 Harrison Road home owned by his company. A large portion of the clearing extended onto land owned by the Butler Water Co. and situated above the 40-acre Butler Reservoir, a source of drinking water for about 8,000 local residents. A reason for the logging has never been stated publicly, but the effort presumably improved views of the reservoir and surrounding woods below Polise's hilltop property. The citation initially reported that 363 trees were removed.”
DISINHERIT THE WIND — “Petition submitted to force vote on Atlantic City offshore wind ordinance,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Opponents of Atlantic Shores' plan to build an offshore wind farm off the city and move its power across the resort have collected 2,092 signatures on a petition to put a question on the 2025 ballot. Only 801 signatures are required to get a question on the ballot, according to a news release from Defend Our Beaches New Jersey. 'The turnout for this petition is a clear indicator of how deeply the community cares about this issue,' said Sherri Lilienfeld, community awareness and communications leader for DefendOurBeachesNJ.org. The ballot question would have residents vote on whether to suspend Ordinance 74, passed Dec. 18 by a vote of 5-4, which grants permissions and easements to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 for the development of an offshore wind energy project.” PASSAIC — “Passaic OKs law to limit rent increases. Here's what it means for tenants and owners,” by The Record’s Matt Fagan: “The city has adopted a rent stabilization ordinance limiting rent increases to 8% per year, with some exceptions. The ordinance will also create a stabilization board, or a quasi-judicial body, much like a zoning board, to mediate disputes between tenants and property owners. The council on Tuesday night appointed five members to the board: three regular members, a property owner, a tenant and an expert, and two alternative members. The ordinance passed by the City Council was proposed by Mayor Hector Lora and his administration.” GYM CLASS CURRICULUM TO INCLUDE PONTIUS PILATES — “Opposition to Bible study program continues to grow in Ocean City, with no formal proposal,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “While residents continue to speak against any proposal for religious instruction during the school day, Ocean City Board of Education President Kevin Barnes said nothing has come before the board for a vote. A local organizing committee for the LifeWise Academy had reached out to the district in the fall about the potential of offering Bible study to Ocean City students during the school day, at a location outside of school. Since the initial proposal became public, some opponents have spoken against the idea at each Board of Education meeting, raising concerns about the separation of church and state and about the program itself … [Barnes] confirmed that a community group had reached out to the district, and local organizers confirmed that they sought a meeting with the district. Since then, however, one of the original organizers said she is no longer involved with the effort, and attempts to arrange interviews with other organizers were not successful. A goal to gather 100 online signatures from supporters of the effort has been stalled at 82 signatures for a month.” REWARDING FOWL BEHAVIOR — “Tom, the beloved wild turkey harassing this South Jersey town, now has his own crossing sign,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Melanie Burney: “Deptford Township has installed a new traffic sign urging motorists traveling along Caulfield Avenue to use caution: turkey crossing. Mayor Paul Medany recently directed the public works department in the South Jersey community to put up the warning sign to protect a beloved wild turkey that has taken up residence in the area. The turkey has become a local celebrity with his antics: stopping traffic, pecking cars, and chasing customers in the parking lots of nearby businesses. The feathered beast, called Tom by some residents and Fred by others, is regularly seen near the intersection of Caulfield Avenue and Clements Bridge Road, a busy thoroughfare in Deptford. He struts into the middle of the street, stopping cars and ignoring motorists who honk their horns and urge him to move. ‘He has certainly claimed Caulfield Avenue as his very own turf and refuses to obey our traffic laws,' Medany said, tongue-in-cheek, Wednesday. ‘So instead of fighting him, we decided to give in and protect him from an unfortunate collision.’” MALACCORSO — Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, whose council allies paid $400,000 to cover up recordings of him using the n-word and other racial slurs, has a plea hearing scheduled on his corruption charges at 10 a.m. today in Union County Superior Court. Or at least he did last time I checked yesterday. It’s already been pushed back twice. Despite all this, Bonaccorso was reelected in November by a comfortable margin. — “Atlantic County commissioner Gatto won't seek reelection in 2025” — “Have you ever seen a white deer? Meet Pete, Allendale's resident piebald deer” — “These three Black officials are making history in South Jersey” — “Trenton Water Works customers advised to save water as ice builds up in Delaware River” — “The Burlington County College campus has been sold. Step one: Demolition” — “Doyle voted new Hoboken council president, Cohen takes over as vice president” — “Hoboken council votes 5-3 for $15K contract with firm that employs ex-director” — “Ex-Gloucester sheriff will run for county commissioner” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NEW JERSEY DRIVE — “N.J. traffic deaths hit tragic 30-year high in 2024 despite national decline,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “New Jersey bucked the national trend of declining highway fatalities in 2024, when traffic deaths jumped 14% and the state hit a 30-year high for pedestrian fatalities. State Police data said the state saw a 14% rise in all traffic deaths, with 691 people killed in 654 crashes and collisions in 2024, a death toll of 85 more people than in 2023. That represents a four-year high from 2020 when 587 people were killed in 550 crashes. In 2023, 606 people died in 574 collisions, which was a drop from the 646 people killed in 2022, State Police statistics said. The state also fell short of a goal to reduce traffic deaths to 614 people in 2024 that was forecast in the 2024 to 2026 state highway safety plan. Last year pedestrian fatalities spiked when 222 people were killed, 51 more than in 2023 when 171 people died, representing a 30% increase.”
— “Ex-husband, intruder at former RHONJ star's home get prison time in home-invasion case”
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