The Morning Briefing - February 1, 2016
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Finally, after years of debate about whether Gov. Chris Christie will run for President, and then the long slog of the campaign, actual voters will actually vote. Today is the Iowa Caucus, kicking off the Presidential primary election season. The Des Moines Register-Bloomberg poll has Christie holding at 3 percent of support in that state. Not impressive. But, as the Record reports, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has called our governor a “great team player” and a “personal friend.” Not an endorsement, of course, but how could anyone expect Branstad to back a candidate at 3 percent?
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Just a quick look at Gov. Chris Christie’s itinerary today shows his Presidential hopes are squarely in New Hampshire. Sure, by 7:30 a.m. (Iowa time), he was hitting the West Side Conservative Breakfast Club. Then, by 10:30 a.m., he will be at a town hall meeting with Gov. Branstad, followed by lunch at the Bull Moose Club in Des Moines. But, by 4:30 p.m. today, he will have fled the cornfields, appearing in New Hampshire for a town hall, and then hitting another one at 8:30 p.m. tonight. It is doubtful anyone will see Christie back in Iowa anytime soon. Heck, there’s a better chance to see him in New Jersey.
TRENTON – With the purveyors of e-cigarettes producing such flavors as bubble gum, chocolate and strawberry, it is impossible to believe they aren’t targeting the next generation of nicotine addicts. Sen. Joe Vitale wants a ban on the sale on all e-cigarette flavors that don’t taste like tobacco, clove, or menthol. Meanwhile, Politico reports, the e-cigarette industry claims such a ban would decimate the business in New Jersey and force people to buy the products online. Um, OK.
STATEWIDE — Our reward for shoveling heaps of snow could be more shoveling. Starting today, a new state law gives town leaders the legal muscle to make property owners dig out snowbound fire hydrants in front of their homes and businesses. Many towns already have “adopt-a-hydrant” programs enlisting volunteers to do that task. The Record says this new law allows towns to install tall locator rods on all hydrants and to enact ordinances requiring residents to dig out snow-domed fire plugs within 24 hours of a snowfall or get slapped with a $75 fine if DPW workers have to muscle them free.
MILLTOWN — Don't make a Groundhog Day trip to Punxsutawney, Pa. Milltown has its own charming marmot to predict whether or not we get six weeks more of winter. At 7:18 a.m. tomorrow, just after sunrise, “Milltown Mel 2nd,” will emerge from his burrow in search of his shadow, then whisper his findings to wrangler Jerry Guthlein. No shadow means an early spring. Guthlein's family started the homegrown event in 2007, celebrated in top hats and bow ties outside the American Legion Hall. The original “Milltown Mel,” who died last summer, had near-perfect accuracy, the Home News Tribune says. Let’s see if his sequel can keep up.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
SAN FRANCISCO – If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. City officials, weary of their ongoing battle with park visitors who commonly pee whenever and wherever, have introduced the latest San Francisco treat: an open air urinal in the middle of iconic Dolores Park. Yep, instead of watering the closest tree or bush, park visitors can avail themselves of a big cement circular urinal, tucked behind plants and a screen to offer some privacy. It's a whiz of an idea that Newark might consider, perhaps at Broad and Market and other public spots favored by people who commonly go wee-wee.
PHOENIX, AZ — It isn't Beelzebub – just our First Amendment – that's tempting officials here to allow a Satanic temple's spiritual leader to officiate opening prayer at an upcoming City Council meeting. The city's attorney ruled Phoenix can't spurn a request from Satan worshipers when it has already allowed Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others to give invocations at its public meetings, the Arizona Republic reports. The issue has ignited a fire-and-brimstone debate over religious freedoms, with one city councilman remarking on Twitter: “Another dumb idea by the city!” And probably not its last. Amen.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
The next time you lick a stamp, make sure to thank the “City Despatch Post,” a private company that introduced the first adhesive postage on this day in 1842.
WORD OF THE DAY
Onomatopoeia (on-ah-mat-ah-PEE-ah) — noun
Definition: A word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, such as "click," "buzz," or animal noises such as "oink," "quack," or "meow."
Example: My English teacher used to test me on the definition of onomatopoeia. Oof.