The Morning Briefing - November 9, 2015

LITTLE EGG HARBOR – In taking local politics a wee bit too seriously, someone sent the two upset winners of committee seats a sympathy card in September, with a typed message not to open the card until after election day, the Asbury Park Press reports. Signed by a “Little Egg Harbor resident,” the Hallmark card read “Dear Losers,” and added, in type, “Evil begets Evil. Congrats on a great loss.” With small-time politics and small minds, as well as this media interest, we’re confident the identity of the sender will be revealed. 

FAIRFIELD – Was a Long Valley man merely “adjusting himself,” or was there something else at play? That will be the question facing the Fairfield Municipal Court on December 3, NJ.com reports, as the 47-year-old man responds to exposure charges. Cops were called to a CVS, where a woman says the suspect was sitting in his Cadillac. She pulled her car next to his. Their eyes locked for a moment. She said he then unzipped his pants and revealed what was inside. Cops arriving on the scene reported finding him “adjusting himself” during last week’s incident. For charges to stick, perhaps prosecutors will retain a sketch artist for the witness to describe what she saw.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – One would think that Fox Business Network bouncing Gov. Chris Christie from the main stage at Tuesday’s debate would be another nail in the coffin. But, if you ask the governor, the network’s decision is spectacular, wonderful and breathtaking. In fact, Christie told Fox News Sunday that his donations are on an uptick from those people who are apparently demanding a level playing field after he missed the cutoff by just 0.25 percent of the polls. “There are a lot of people out there who disagree with what Fox did, and we've been getting more donations in the last week than we got in the week before because people feel like we're getting a raw deal,” Christie said. Perhaps there will be more “good news” if his poll numbers drop further.

PASSAIC – A night out at a casino has put a Passaic man in prison, after he tried to change his bets after a blackjack dealer dealt the cards. Seems like a huge reaction from the Sands Casino Bethlehem, who hauled the guy off to the Northampton County Prison when he twice tried to change his bet at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, a clear violation, Lehighvalleylive.com reports. What if he tried a third time? Firing squad?

WAYNE – In what has become a holiday tradition, we attempt to track all the retailers that must open up on Thanksgiving, forcing their employees to leave friends and family to handle all the “demand” from those holiday shoppers who can’t possibly wait until Black Friday to buy gifts for a holiday that is still one month away. The Record reports that Toys “R” Us will open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, remaining open for 30 hours. Macy’s is no better, opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Walmart is the worst, as it stays open all day Thanksgiving, but doesn’t offer Black Friday deals until its competitors do. The hero in all this is REI, which refuses to open on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, yet still pays its workers. You can guess where we will be shopping (online).

ATLANTIC CITY – One year after Stockton University made the fateful purchase of the Showboat casino for a planned expansion, the school still owns it. It now appears that the university will finally sell the casino in January for $22 million to a developer, after months of trying to unload it. The numbers haven’t been favorable to Stockton, buying the building for $18 million and spending $500,000 a month to cover expenses. Consider it another gamble with a pair of twos.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

BOSTON – Apparently, you are totally in your right to be a blind barber. The Boston Herald reports a Norton barber had been working for a year before his boss caught wind of the fact he was legally blind. There was no wiggle room at Tony’s Barber Shop for such a disability, and the blind barber was shown the door (literally). That was after he tripped over a customer’s legs and tripped over a waiting room chair, both in the same day. A court has ruled in favor of the barber, handing him $100,000 in his lawsuit for discrimination. Next up: deaf music teachers.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was one year ago today that visiting hours were canceled at Jersey City Medical Center, where a faulty fire sprinkler system poured water down the elevator banks, damaging the lobby and gift shop. Wet teddy bears for all.

WORD OF THE DAY

Harbinger – noun

Definition: Messenger with news of the future

Example: As a harbinger, I inform you of another Morning Briefing arriving in your inbox tomorrow.