The Morning Briefing - June 4, 2015
VENTNOR – Earlier this week, we reported about the mysterious bust of a man discovered on the Ventnor boardwalk in November. The only clues were the name “Hilda” etched on the bottom and the number “72.” Well, let’s assume Morning Briefing readers sprung into action (or that this story was all over the AP) because police have discovered the owner – a dead dentist from Delaware. The sculpture was made of the late Samuel Shames, who made the bust for his late wife, Hilda, in 1972. (We guess that was what you did at the time.) The family figured the sculpture was lost when they sold their Ventnor home. Perhaps it was intentional.
TRENTON – While Victoria’s Secret wants you to check out all their undergarments online, in the store window and in catalogs, the rules drastically change when people actually buy the stuff. Some state lawmakers think people should be banned from taking photos or recording images of other people’s underwear in the great state of New Jersey. The violation is called “upskirting,” with the Assembly Judiciary Committee considering a proposed law today that bans the practice.
TRENTON – What defines a vicious dog in New Jersey? Like a cheap suit, you know it when you see it. But state lawmakers need to go on something a bit more concrete, especially when they are deciding which misbehaving dog is sent to obedience school and which gets a dirt nap. The Assembly's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – likely the most thrilling committee of any committee – will be doggedly mulling over a bill today that requires the courts to have clear, compelling evidence that a pooch is “vicious,” rather than just having a bad day.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – As it seems most registered Republicans in America are now running for President, Gov. Chris Christie is desperate to break from the pack. He made a splash last week with his about-face on Common Core standards in education, calling for New Jersey to explore other ways to educate our little cherubs. With that momentum, he will back in Des Moines, Iowa on June 11 to talk about education – likely blasting Common Core some more at the Polk County Republicans' spring dinner and praying that reporters outside New Jersey are paying attention.
NEWARK – Is embattled Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson circling the drain? The answer appears to be “Yes,” our sources vow. With zero support from Mayor Ras Baraka, and the local school board formally calling the state Board of Education to fire the state-appointed superintendent, her departure could be just a matter of scheduling. The local school board claims the schools are worse now than when the state took them over 20 years ago, which would seem impossible. Are we ready for the next difficult transition to a new leader for the Newark schools?
ROSELLE – With primary election day safely behind us, members of the state Legislature are taking a well-deserved break from their voters and perhaps reconnecting with their jobs and family. But Assemblyman Jamel Holley is acting as if the campaign is still roaring, as he announces a 10-day “thank you” tour commencing July 1, after the state budget is adopted. The 20th district assemblyman is laying out a tour in which he plans to hit churches, music festivals, street fairs, beefsteaks, parks, pancake breakfasts, scout events and pretty much any other venue where voters congregate. “This is a new approach to leadership,” he says. “I just want to thank people.”
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
ROCHESTER, NY – The owner of a new Chinese restaurant is either an ill-fated, short-lived entrepreneur or a marketing genius, as she celebrates the grand opening of her business, called “I Don’t Know,” the Democrat and Chronicle reports. So, perhaps she is banking on the fact that people will call her for dinner when they don’t know what they want. Or, perhaps it will be a suggestion from the kids, when asked what they want to eat. The owner, who last name is “Dong,” explains you need a unique name to get attention.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Any question if people prefer the young, gyrating Elvis to the old, fat Elvis was settled on this day in 1990, when the U.S. Post Office announces more people are selecting the young Elvis stamp.
WORD OF THE DAY
Mollycoddle – verb
Definition: To coddle, pamper or overindulge someone.
Example: “Have you met Mel’s mom? Boy, can she mollycoddle him! Does a 50-year-old man really need his mom to pick out his socks?”