The Morning Briefing - September 29, 2016
JERSEY CITY - Political junkies awoke this morning from a 24-hour binge of over-analysis, after the astonishing announcement that Mayor Steve Fulop will not be running for governor. Fulop threw his support behind Phil Murphy, setting off an avalanche of debate about "what if?" and "what now?," as well as who will support whom for the big chair. Leading the pack is Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney, maybe soon, Sen. Raymond Lesniak and a few others, with just another 13 months or so until the election. For god's sake, decide NOW!
STAFFORD - Next time you end up in handcuffs at police headquarters, expect a lovely chat with a caring soul. Social workers are now riding shotgun in this Ocean County town's police department. Stafford partnered with Ocean Mental Health Services to create New Jersey's first program that puts social workers on-duty, helping cops assess the mental and emotional health of suspects, reports The Sandpaper. Chief Thomas Dellane says the program is crucial, pointing to a rising number of police run-ins with people suffering from mental health issues and other struggles. Expect questions like, "what makes you angry?" and "who is President now?" Don't answer "Donald Trump" (to either question), unless you really, really want a full neurological workup.
HOBOKEN - Just hinting about opening more city bars is a surefire way to draw a big City Hall turnout. It's no wonder residents, restaurant and bar owners packed this week's meeting to hear debate about repealing Hoboken's "500-foot rule." Since 1966, that rule kept bars, liquor stores and restaurants that serve alcohol at least 500 feet from one another, Hudson County View says. Repealing it, Councilman Jim Doyle said, doesn't mean neighborhoods will be overrun with bars and restaurants because the city "offers (insert cough) protections." Councilman Mike DeFusco isn't buying it. Expect an even larger crowd Oct. 5, when the City Council dares to raise this topic again, following Happy Hour.
HOWELL - An angry deer, if it could talk, may have had some choice words for the SUV driver who slammed into it. Police have video of a deer getting smacked on Sept. 17. The driver then opened her door to check out the situation. That prompted the buck to run across the road and jump in the driver's seat. The woman was able to kick the animal away from her and shut her door. The deer later died from its injuries, but not before fulfilling its lifetime goal of making the Morning Briefing.
MONROE - If you know everything there is to know about health care, feel free to skip the eight-annual "State of the State in Healthcare" event today at Forsgate Country Club. But there will be 400 health insurance insiders attending this day-long program, sponsored by the NJ Association of Health Underwriters, who will be trying to figure out what will happen with the Affordable Care Act and other important stuff when the dust settles on the Presidential election. The candidates are polar opposites in their approach to health care, which is making the entire industry - desperate for some consistency - a bit uneasy. With a full day of info, attendees will leave with some clarity and some new commiserating compatriots.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
PORTLAND, Ore. - Local children will soon be recruited by the devil. Okay, maybe not ... but, uh, maybe so. The Portland chapter of The Satanic Temple will now be offering an after-school program to a Portland elementary school, the Oregonian reports. The club begins Oct. 19 at Sacramento Elementary School, where the happy people at the Satanic Temple will teach the fresh-faced kiddies all about "science and rational thinking." No clue how such a club can exist, as this temple comprises born-again believers eager to establish disciples in the Word of God. Huh? Apparently the division of church and state does not apply when the devil attends school board meetings and spends big at the bake sale.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
D.C. steakhouses and strip clubs took a hit this day in 1994, when the House votes to ban lobbyists from buying them meals and entertainment.
WORD OF THE DAY
Glower [GLOUR] - verb
Definition: To look or stare with sullen annoyance
Example: Is Bill relieved that Hillary is now glowering at someone else?
WEATHER IN A WORD
Cool