The Morning Briefing - April 11, 2016
HILLSDALE – As Bruce Springsteen has made national news for cancelling his Sunday show in North Carolina because of the state’s transgender policies, the focus tonight is in Hillsdale, as the Pascack Valley Regional High School District votes on a policy to protect transgender students' rights, in which students can decide which bathroom to use. This is the school board’s second crack at the controversial policy, after it was tabled in February. To quote Springsteen, “Some things are more important than a rock show. And this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them.” Hopefully, Hillsdale gets with the program so the Boss can perform there.
PARAMUS – At least there’s some good news to come from the “Puppies from Paramus” story last week, in which a pet store owner was nabbed with 67 caged puppies found in a truck parked overnight behind his business. Our reactionary state Legislature is now considering a bill that requires new inspections and increased regulations on these infamous puppy mills. That also includes blocking sales on puppies from moms who give birth more than once a year. All good; but perhaps there should also be a law requiring prospective pet owners to first visit a kennel before being permitted into a pet store.
STATEWIDE – Not only is it remarkably expensive to live in New Jersey, it also costs more to come and go. United Airlines has an infamous monopoly at Newark Liberty International Airport, and that means that fares, of course, are higher. The Record claims the average ticket prices on 30 popular domestic destinations charged by United on flights out of Newark are 15 percent higher than those charged by other carriers at Newark and the NYC airports. We’re talking seven out of 10 flights from EWR. Now, the FAA wants to bring in more competition in an effort to loosen United’s grip. Hmm; wonder the cost of an Uber to Cleveland.
GARFIELD – Rather than look like unromantic party-poopers, city officials decided not to suspend two soon-to-be-married volunteer firefighters for wearing their gear in an unauthorized way. Instead, city manager Thomas Duch told the Record that officials hastily revised a social media policy so volunteers Paul Mellor and fiancée Danielle Szep are no longer in hot water. The fire chief tried to hose the happy couple for inadvertently breaking that policy by using a photo of their turnout gear in a Facebook wedding invitation. The town manager says favorable online posts – like parades, wet-downs, even weddings – are now permissible; anything negative, demeaning or intrusive is still prohibited. Even though city officials changed their tune, it's doubtful any will be asked to sing at the couple's wedding.
STATEWIDE – Another strong story from NJ Spotlight, revealing which towns in the state have the biggest per-capita budgets. The big “winner” is Teterboro, which spends a mind-blowing $73,426 per resident for the 67 people who live there. There’s also Pine Valley, coming in second for its 12 people, costing $38,841 per person. From there, it is Mantaloking, Tavistock and Avalon rounding out the top five. Numbers six to 10 are the super-rich shore towns, in order: Stone Harbor, Deal, Harvey Cedars, Sea Isle City and Beach Haven.
STATEWIDE – If you're found “not guilty” in municipal court, towns lose money. And that widely held perception must change, the New Jersey Bar Association says. Legal experts and lawyers say the scales of justice can easily tip when municipal court judges feel obligated to generate revenue just to curry favor with local politicians who appoint them, the Record reports. The Bar Association is holding hearings to identify ways these part-time judges can have greater independence. At the first hearing last week, a Toms River lawyer said: “Raising revenue and being reappointed is utmost on their mind.” Upcoming hearings are May 2 at Rowan University; May 19 at the Borgata in Atlantic City; and June 6 at Seton Hall School of Law in Newark.
IN YOUR MAILBOX – First-class postage decreased to 47 cents this morning. We're getting a two-cent rollback because a federal surcharge, added in January 2014 to bail out our cash-strapped Postal Service, has expired. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan is ticked about this teensy reduction, telling the media it could worsen the agency's annual losses by $2 billion this year. She might need to check her figures. The Postal Service posted a $307 million profit in the last quarter of 2015. Let's hedge our bets: Stock up on Forever Stamps now, before the Postal Service adds a nickel to recoup the big discount.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
PALM SPRINGS – What do you call 20,000 lesbians converging on a swank desert resort? Well, The Guardian dubbed it “gaypocalypse,” but women who descended on the California desert last week just call it “The Dinah.” Billed as “the world's largest girl festival,” The Dinah is five days of scantily-clad debauchery with pool parties, dancing, drinking and live shows. Now in its 26th year, The Dinah is attracting more mainstream media-hype and big-name talent. This latest gethering featured singer Katy Perry; the Pussycat Dolls; Lea Delaria and Taryn Manning, from “Orange is the New Black.” And Lady Gaga came to support gal-pal Kate Moennig from “The L Word.” Meanwhile, frat guys changed their spring break plans to peer through the gate.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
The next time you botch parallel parking, remember on this day in 1985 that scientists in Hawaii were able to measure the distance between the earth and the moon within one inch.
WORD OF THE DAY
Garçonnière (gar-son-NYER) – noun
Definition: A bachelor's apartment.
Example: Don’t stop by my garconniere; I’ll be camping out in Palm Springs.