This team consists of specially trained sworn officers who respond to specific police emergencies where negotiating skills may be necessary during an incident. These personnel are required to pass stringent qualifications including an oral interview process in order to be selected as a member.
Training
All members must attend an initial 40 hour training course instructed by the FBI which includes:
Hostage Negotiation Strategies
Personality Profiles
Suicide Intervention
Active Listening Skills
Media Relations
Mental Health Awareness
In-service training courses and scenario role playing with other police agencies provide these officers with additional techniques to continually enhance their skill levels.
Special Equipment
To compliment the team, they are outfitted with special equipment including a mobile hostage rescue phone that allows more than one negotiator to monitor a single conversation, a Wireless Telular® Box that can transform any landline into a wireless phone, and a rescue throw phone that can be delivered to a location where no phone equipment exists.
Mission
The primary mission of the unit is to taper off volatile situations and mediate a peaceful resolution with a person who may be in a crisis state by using specific strategies and skills.
Announcement from Sara Elnakib, Chair, Family and Community Health Sciences
Dr. Patty J. Oehmke.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Patty J. Oehmke as the new FCHS Professor of Practice.
Patty joins Rutgers Cooperative Extension as a Family and Community Health Sciences Professor of Practice in the area of wellness. She will lead initiatives in student wellness on the Cook Campus at Rutgers–New Brunswick and provide leadership, including substantial networking with existing services and resources on campus, as well as bring programs offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension to campus to engage students.
She has more than 20 years of accomplished wellness and wellbeing leadership in collaborating and addressing dimensions of wellness through both collective and individual approaches. She creates sustainable intergenerational, intersectional, and intercultural partnerships that enhance student and community wellbeing through experiential learning and accessibility.
Patty has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Exercise Science – specializing in fitness, recreation, exercise activity and educational methodologies, a Master of Arts degree in Exercise Physiology – specializing in health promotion and corporate wellness, and a Ph.D. in College and University Administration, Wellbeing Leadership – specializing in curriculum development, disease prevention and the role of the environment in physical health and wellbeing.
Counterclockwise from top left: Jeffrey Garibaldi, Jr., Managing Partner, NAI Summit; Jeffrey Garibaldi, Sr., CEO, The Garibaldi Group; Peter O. Hanson, SIOR, Chairman of the Board, NAI James E. Hanson; William C. Hanson, SIOR, President, NAI James E. Hanson
Real Estate
On Jan 10, 2025
NAI James E. Hanson, the largest New Jersey-based full-service independent commercial real estate firm, has expanded its regional footprint through the acquisition of The Garibaldi Group (TGG), a full-service CRE company with more than 100 years of experience, and NAI Summit, eastern Pennsylvania’s premier full-service commercial real estate firm.
NAI James E. Hanson’s President William C. Hanson, SIOR, will now serve as president of the three companies. TGG will relocate its offices from Chatham to NAI James E. Hanson’s Parsippany office at 10 Lanidex Plaza West. NAI Summit will continue to operate under its name and out of its office at 1620 Pond Road in Allentown, Pa. Together NAI James E. Hanson, TGG and NAI Summit will now total over 100 team members and over 10 million square feet of properties under management.
“This is very exciting. Our families have multi-generational relationships. We have similar cultures and values that make this feel like a natural fit,” said Hanson. “Our acquisition of The Garibaldi Group and NAI Summit will strengthen our geographic reach across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, deepen our presence and reinforce our expertise in important asset classes. We are thrilled to welcome The Garibaldi Group and NAI Summit to the NAI James E. Hanson team and look forward to leveraging our combined strengths to deliver an unmatched level of service to our clients.”
Founded in 1919 in Hoboken, TGG is now in the fourth generation of Garibaldi family leadership. With a long history of servicing recognizable corporate clients such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Prudential, and Honeywell, the firm has established itself as a boutique brokerage house with impressive reach, conducting high level transactions across the country and even the globe.
TGG acquired NAI Summit in 2021. Led by Managing Partner Jeffrey Garibaldi, Jr., NAI Summit’s team boasts four decades of experience in acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing, particularly within the industrial sector. In addition, NAI Summit’s property management division currently manages over three million square feet of commercial space across the region. Together, TGG and NAI Summit employ 14 brokers and over 40 support staff. Jeffrey Garibaldi Jr. will remain in his role as managing partner of NAI Summit and continue to oversee day-to-day operations in collaboration with William C. Hanson.
“The roots of this transaction trace back to our acquisition of NAI Summit, combined with our family’s more than 50-year relationship with the Hansons. This key strategic move will enable us to join forces in the northern New Jersey market to deliver an unmatched commercial real estate services experience to businesses of all sizes,” added Jeffrey Garibaldi, Jr., managing partner of NAI Summit.
Jeffrey Garibaldi, Sr., CEO of TGG, continued, “As a multigenerational family business, we saw a natural alignment with NAI James E. Hanson’s values and vision. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to combine our deep expertise and longstanding relationships to build one of the region’s most comprehensive and dynamic commercial real estate services platforms. We are excited to work together to continue to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional results for our clients.”
John Cromie and Amanda Kelly of Connell Foley LLP provided legal services and Kevin Collins of Aprio Advisory Group LLP served as the accountant for the transaction on behalf of NAI James E. Hanson. James DiGuilio and Michael Dee of O’Toole Scrivo provided legal services and Michael Zone of Weisman & Co. served as the accountants for the transaction on behalf of The Garibaldi Group and NAI Summit.
Every Sunday night, Singing With Swing brings the best of Big Band and Swing music right to your radio. Tune in for an hour of classic hits, smooth vocals, and the unforgettable rhythms that defined an era of jazz. From the iconic sounds of Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington to the vibrant melodies of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, this show keeps the spirit of swing alive. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the genre or new to the world of Big Band, Singing With Swing offers a perfect way to cap off your weekend with a timeless musical experience.
With a blend of familiar standards and hidden gems from the Swing era, Singing With Swing offers more than just music—it’s a journey through history. From the brass-heavy swing beats to the lush vocal harmonies, every track brings the past to life, and you’ll often hear a fun mix of live performances, exclusive interviews, and deep dives into the legends of the genre. Make sure to tune in Sunday nights and let the rhythm of the swing era fill your home.
Live Big Band & Swing News: Exciting Events on the Horizon
The world of live Big Band and Swing music is thriving, and there’s plenty of exciting news for fans of vocal jazz and big band performances. Here’s what’s happening in the vocal jazz and swing scene:
CWU Vocal Jazz 1: This talented ensemble has been selected to perform at the ACDA National Conference in March 2024. As part of their preparations, they’re fundraising to cover the costs of flying 20 students to Dallas and providing accommodations for their exciting performance. It’s an incredible honor for this group, and their performance will surely be one to remember.
Millikin University Vocal Jazz Invitational: Mark your calendars for February 8, 2025, when Millikin University hosts this non-competitive festival, bringing together vocal jazz enthusiasts for a day of learning and inspiration. The event will feature expert clinicians, interactive masterclasses, and a stellar performance by Millikin’s OneVoice vocal ensemble.
College of Southern Nevada Vocal Jazz Solo Nights: On November 15–16, 2024, the Jay Morrison Recital Hall will showcase talented vocal jazz performers at this annual solo competition. General admission tickets are just $8, with discounted prices for students and seniors, making it an affordable and accessible way to enjoy some amazing local vocal talent.
Concordia University, Nebraska Vocal Jazz Ensemble: This 14-voice choir will be hitting the road with a tour of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and South Dakota from May 5–10, 2024. It’s a great chance to catch these talented performers in action and experience the magic of live vocal jazz.
1881 Club in Pasadena: Known for its lively jazz nights, the 1881 Club is adding vocal jazz to its lineup, offering an exciting new space to enjoy live jazz performances in Pasadena. Whether you’re a fan of traditional swing or contemporary vocal jazz, this venue is sure to bring a fresh energy to the scene.
All About Jazz: The popular jazz publication has recently highlighted some of the most exciting jazz vocalists of 2024, including Big J, New Ground, Violet, and Rothko Sketches. These artists are bringing fresh interpretations to the world of jazz, pushing boundaries while honoring the genre’s rich history.
ASU Popular Music: The Arizona State University Popular Music program has welcomed international jazz and pop vocal artist Coller to their team. With Coller’s vast experience in both jazz and popular music, ASU students can look forward to an exciting new chapter in their musical education.
With these events and developments, it’s clear that live Big Band and Swing music are alive and well, and the vocal jazz community is growing stronger each year. Keep an eye out for these performances and get ready to swing along with the best of the best!
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage January 5-11, 2025
originally published: 01/12/2025
Here’s a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from January 5-11, 2025. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week’s top 15 includes articles from 7 counties in New Jersey (Cape May, Essex, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Union).
Make sure your events are part of our weekly columns by sending press releases to us at info@newjerseystage.com. Event previews are always one of the most popular areas of the website. Event previews get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again when they are brought back to the main area of the site the week the event takes place – sometimes even several months later. We also run weekly columns promoting events, music, and theatre shows taking place for the week. These columns include our featured event previews and event listings along with all of our event previews of the week. Your events can stand out for as low as $10! Many times, they are among the most read stories of the week. There is no cost for us to run your press releases!
1) A Tribute to Southside Johnny – On December 20, 2024, Southside Johnny announced he was retiring from touring effective immediately. His annual show for New Year’s Eve was cancelled and fans around the world starting paying tribute to him and wondering what the future would hold for him and the Asbury Jukes. New Jersey Stage wanted to pay tribute to him as well, so we reached out to fans in the “Jukebox: Southside Johnnyfanzine” Facebook group, some musicians, and industry professionals for their thoughts.
2) Events This Week in New Jersey from January 7-13, 2025 – Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from January 7-13, 2025 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
3) Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music Issues Call for Papers: Born to Run at 50 – (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) — The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music (BSACAM; Springsteen’s official repository) and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences invite you to submit paper and/or panel abstracts for a scholarly conference devoted to the life, work, and influence of “The Boss” in honor of the 50th anniversary of the landmark album, Born to Run. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, March 15, 2025.
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4) Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton to Return to the Stage for Special Performances During Final Shows in NYC – (NEW YORK, NY) — Blue Man Group, the international entertainment phenomenon known for its world-famous music and distinctively non-verbal forms of communication, will conclude its history-making residency in New York City next month. As part of the farewell celebration, Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton will return to the stage as Blue Men for two special performances. They will perform at an additional show that has been added on January 9 at 4:00pm, and they will also perform during the January 24, 2025 performance at 8:00pm.
5) Harmonium Choral Society Announces Laurel Luke Christensen as New Emerging Composer-in-Residence – (MORRISTOWN, NJ) — Harmonium Choral Society is pleased to announce their new emerging composer-in-residence Laurel Luke Christensen beginning January 2025, “what a great way to start the new year with an emerging talent,” says Artistic Director Anne Matlack. She will join long-time composer-in-residence Mark Miller.
6) Princeton Second Sunday Poetry Reading to feature Andrew Condouris and Todd Evans – (PRINCETON, NJ) — Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, and Ragged Sky Press, a local publisher focused on poetry, will host a Second Sunday Poetry Reading on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 4:00pm. The readings will take place at the Princeton Makes store in the Princeton Shopping Center and will feature music themed poetry by Andrew Condouris and Todd Evans. Their readings will be followed by an open mic available to up to 10 audience members who would like to read their original poetry.
7) Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market Evolves into New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market – (TRENTON, NJ) — The iconic Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market (TPRFM), a celebrated institution in New Jersey’s independent arts, music and food scene, has officially rebranded as the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market (NJPRFM), reflecting its growth and expanded reach across the Garden State and beyond.
8) Katchats with Callum – the girl with the purple hair – Callum is a 17 year old singer songwriter from Berlin, MD that blends her influences of Indie Pop, Folk, Jazz and R&B into something truly special. Recently I was contacted by Callum’s management. They read the article on My Musical Journey at New Jersey Stage. Her manager felt I would be a good fit working with her and her team in 2025.
9) USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards Names Madison Resort Wildwood Crest #1 Best New Hotel In America – (WILDWOOD CREST, NJ) — Madison Resort Wildwood Crest has been awarded the prestigious title of #1 Best New Hotel in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition is a significant milestone for Madison Resorts, which opened the Wildwood Crest property in May 2024. Among 18 hotels nominated nationwide, Madison Resort was the sole representative from the New Jersey tri-state area and is the first New Jersey hotel – and the first ever from the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey Region – ever to win this coveted award.
10) Brookdale Leads in Interior Design and Brings Innovation to Beacon Hill Country Club – (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) — Brookdale Community College’s Interior Design Program has demonstrated its excellence again, earning accolades as the Best Interior Design Program in New Jersey, Top 3 in the Northeast, and #10 in the nation, according to Best Community Colleges.com. A recent collaboration with Beacon Hill Country Club showcased the program’s remarkable talent, reinforcing the program’s reputation for producing industry-ready professionals.
11) Classical Cape May Returns For Second Season – (CAPE MAY, NJ) — This winter in Cape May enjoy four free classical music concerts featuring unusual instruments, original works and accomplished musicians. Building on the success of its inaugural season, Classical Cape May announces its second season of programs, sponsored by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).
12) Art by Mary Fogarty on Display at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch – (WARETOWN, NJ) — The Ocean County Library Waretown Branch is pleased to present the works of Jersey Shore-based artist Mary Fogarty, “Subject to the Viewer’s Imagination,” throughout the months of January and February. The mixed media display marks Mary’s return to her lifelong creative passion, after raising a family and working in the nine-to-five world.
13) Makin Waves Song of the Week: “Fever” by Lisa Bouchelle – While mixing her next album, Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Lisa Bouchelle has dropped a new video for “Fever” from her 2022 full-length debut LP “Jump In.”
14) Montclair State University’s Cali Opera & Symphony Orchestra presents “Calisto” – (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Montclair State University’s Cali Opera Program is set to present their mainstage opera “La Calisto” by Francesco Cavalli February 1-2, 2025. This exquisite baroque opera is directed by Rebecca Jo Loeb and conducted by Kyle Ritenauer. Cavalli’s poignant and ruckus opera begins in the heavens when we learn that a young, beautiful nymph, Calisto, has the chance to become immortalized as a constellation among the stars.
15) Vivid Stage to Celebrate 30th Anniversary with Fundraising Gala on Valentine’s Day – Love Songs and Laments – (SUMMIT, NJ) — Vivid Stage will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a special gala fundraiser on Friday, February 14, 2025. This special Valentine’s Day celebration will be held at the Oakes Center in Summit from 6:00pm-10:00pm. As part of this special event, the theatre will honor Steven McIntyre, a former board member and staff member and longtime patron and friend of the company.
Want your events to stand out? Check out our ad rates which start at just $50 for an entire month of targeted advertising and includes events listed in our online calendar. Or you can have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event (shows with multiple performances get every show listed for just $10). Either way your events will be featured in the weekly columns. NJ Stage keeps our rates low so they are affordable to arts organizations of all sizes. We are proud to be an independent media company. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!
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Tuesday Night Book Club – Harold Pinter, Betrayal
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm VIRTUAL category: community
View event page for full information
How Not To Be Famous – A Conversation with Richard Kind
Saturday, January 25, 2025 @ 8:00pm Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631 category: community
View event page for full information
Mike Super – Magic & Illusion
Saturday, January 25, 2025 @ 7:30pm Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 category: community
View event page for full information
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Radio Tower or Espionage Center? “WSC Calling?” at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch
(WARETOWN, NJ) — The Tuckerton Wireless was a communications marvel at its inception in 1912. But it soon plunged the Jersey Shore into a web of international intrigue. Join historian Jeffrey Brown for “WSC Calling? The Tuckerton Wireless” at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event begins at 12:00pm.
It’s the midway point of the 2024-25 season, which is always a fun time to review how things have gone through the first 40-plus games and indicate what could transpire over the remainder of the schedule. So far, there have been plenty of storylines, including several teams that are both under and overperforming.
While by no means the sole reason, a big part of certain teams overperforming based on preseason projections comes from the voice they have behind the bench. There are many coaches this season who have done an excellent job with their teams to date, and, if things keep up, they could find themselves in the running for the Jack Adams Award. Here are the five leading candidates to take home the Coach of the Year honours thus far.
5. Sheldon Keefe (New Jersey Devils)
The New Jersey Devils were expected to be better than they were a season ago, but many thought they may find themselves in a dogfight for a playoff spot down the stretch of the 2024-25 campaign. Barring a collapse over the second half, it doesn’t look as though they’ll have any sort of issue getting into the dance, as they sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-15-4 record.
Keefe deserves a ton of credit for turning the Devils around in his first season with the organization. They’ve had help in other areas as well, perhaps most notably in net thanks to the addition of Jacob Markstrom. Still, Keefe is quickly proving why he was scooped up so quickly after being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
4. Ryan Huska (Calgary Flames)
Seemingly nobody had the Calgary Flames in a playoff spot before the season began, as most believed they’d be a lottery team. Granted, they aren’t in a spot at the moment, but trail the Vancouver Canucks by just one point for a wild card position. Ryan Huska has instilled a scrappy and relentless work ethic into this group which has made them a very difficult matchup for opposing teams.
Ryan Huska, Head Coach of the Calgary Flames (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
What Huska has also done a great job with is helping develop some of the organization’s young players. Individuals such as Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, and even Jakob Pelletier appear to be making big strides under his guidance, which bodes well for the future of this team. If the Flames get into the playoffs, Huska has a strong chance at being a top-three finalist for the Jack Adams.
3. John Hynes (Minnesota Wild)
The expectations for the Minnesota Wild heading into 2024-25 were similar to what they’ve been with this team for years. A borderline playoff team that has talent but is not a group anybody looks at as a Stanley Cup contender. Based on the standings right now, however, they look very much like a team that could go all the way.
The Wild are currently fourth in the NHL standings with a 26-12-4 record, a stark turnaround for a team that finished 11 points shy of a playoff spot a season ago. It is quite clear that having a new voice behind the bench has gone a long way in helping improve this group. Much like Huska in Calgary, John Hynes has really fast-tracked the development of young players such as Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy.
2. Scott Arniel (Winnipeg Jets)
One team that nobody seemed to know where to rank coming into the season was the Winnipeg Jets. This is a team that for years has had some top-end talent such as Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Connor Hellebuyck, but have been up and down due to a sometimes underwhelming supporting cast.
The Jets were ousted quickly by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of last year’s playoffs, leading many to believe they would be an average-at-best team in 2024-25. Instead, their 28 wins are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the NHL. Should they continue winning at such a rapid rate in the second portion of the season, Scott Arniel, who is in his first year as a head coach with the Jets, could very well take home the Jack Adams.
1. Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals)
The Washington Capitals have been an incredible story this season. After just barely sneaking into the playoffs a year ago, they were not projected by many insiders to make it this time around. Instead, they have been torching the NHL, and sit second in league standings with 58 points.
Spencer Carbery, Head Coach of the Washington Capitals (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
The fact that Spencer Carbery not only got the Capitals into the playoffs at all last year, but has them sitting atop the Eastern Conference has him sitting as the frontrunner for the Jack Adams. A rough second half could change that, but with how well this team is rolling, it’s hard to envision much of a fall-off.
Plenty of Deserving Candidates
While the five coaches listed here are the frontrunners for the Jack Adams as of now, there are plenty of other bench bosses around the league doing fantastic jobs as well. The problem that many of them will have when it comes to this particular award is that it oftentimes is given out to a coach whose team overachieved based on what was expected heading into the season. Based on that definition, these five seem to have the best shot at winning the award thus far.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is deeply disappointed by the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan, which went into effect yesterday.
This policy is a direct blow to New Jersey’s commuters and visitors who depend on access to New York City for work, business, and leisure. It unfairly penalizes New Jersey residents, adding a new financial burden to already high transportation costs.
Beyond its immediate environmental and economic impacts, congestion pricing is demeaning and disrespectful to New Jersey. There is no logic whatsoever for our citizens to pay for the economic woes of New York’s MTA. This is simply a money grab that challenges our need to be more affordable and competitive.
The State Chamber has been working diligently to cheerlead our state’s many positive attributes to improve our image. Being treated like a pocketbook and second-class citizen by New York flies directly in the face of our image-building mission. I hope our governor, Congressional delegation and Legislature can find a way to stop this egregious action.
Trains, Buses, Ferries, and Incentive Programs for Hassle-Free Travel
Morris County residents who commute to New York City have several mass transit options to avoid the newly implemented Congestion Relief Zone Toll, which went into effect on Jan. 5.
Vehicles entering Manhattan’s Central Business District, defined as streets below and including 60th Street, will incur toll charges via E-ZPass or by mail.
Lakeland Bus Lines, Inc.: Provides service from Morris County to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC.
Coach USA: Offers routes from nearby Passaic and Essex counties to NYC.
Boxcar: Book a seat on the Morris Meteor, departing from Convent Station, Madison, and Chatham, with stops in uptown Manhattan.
Carpool and Rideshare Services
NJ Rideshare: Connects commuters through a free ride-matching service, helping form carpools or vanpools.
Hudson River Crossing Options
PATH Stations: Travel under the Hudson River via PATH service in New Jersey.
Ferries: The Port Authority lists ferry services with bus connections.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail: Runs 20 miles along the New Jersey waterfront, connecting to trains, PATH, and ferries. Hoboken is among the 26 stations and the light-rail line includes several parking facilities.
Business Relocation Incentive
NJ RISE Program: The New Jersey Re-assigning In-State Employees (NJ RISE) grant program offers $20 million to incentivize businesses to reassign New Jersey employees working out of state to in-state locations. The program ensures income taxes remain in New Jersey, boosting local revenue.
Congestion Pricing Information and Discounts
For more information on the New York State Congestion Relief Zone Toll, visit NYC Congestion Pricing Portal.
It’s a shame bears can’t vote. At least it is for Steve Fulop.
Among the points made by Fulop in a wide-ranging “Sustainability” proposal is a plan to end the state’s bear hunt.
The Jersey City mayor and gubernatorial candidate is clearly relying on detailed policy positions to separate himself from his five competitors for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
His website presents policy ideas for a number of areas, including transportation, education, housing and public safety.
Sustainability is his most recent addition.
New Jersey’s bear hunt is hardly the state’s most pressing environmental issue, but it’s certainly one of the more emotional ones.
The state for years did not have a bear hunt until then-Governor Chris Christie started one. Phil Murphy initially stopped the hunt, but with bear complaints rising, he restarted it in 2022.
A bear hunt has been routinely opposed by animal rights advocates and others who contend the state’s black bears pose no danger.
Fulop’s proposal reads:
“Enacting a plan to end the controversial bear hunt, reflecting Mayor Fulop’s long-standing partnership with animal welfare advocates and commitment to humane policy approaches.”
Another part of Fulop’s proposal is enacting a statewide moratorium on warehouse development pending a study of land use laws.
Warehouse construction often is controversial with White Township, a small town in Warren County, offering the best example of that. For four years, residents fought – and ultimately stopped – a massive warehouse plan from being built in their rural community.
The dilemma, of course, is that as more people shop online – as opposed to visiting malls – more warehouses are needed. So how do you square that circle?
The gubernatorial candidate also talks about protecting and expanding open space, which includes enacting the Liberty State Park Protection Act. The park is in his hometown of Jersey City.
Other ideas include raising state efficiency targets, expanding clean energy technology, investing more in electric vehicle infrastructure, preserving nuclear power and strengthening the DEP to better allow the agency to “actively enforce environmental regulations, address pollution, and tackle flooding risks.”
Broadly speaking, just about all of the Democratic candidates for governor present some type of information on issues on their websites.
As of yet, none has been as detailed as Fulop.
Which presents an interesting question. How important are issues? Keep in mind that successful primary runs often depend on personality, political alliances and deals.
As noted, Fulop thinks details and precise proposals are what matter to voters..
Morris County residents who commute to New York City have several mass transit options to avoid the newly implemented Congestion Relief Zone Toll, which went into effect on Jan. 5.
