The Jaffe Briefing - September 13, 2017
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
ON THE ROADS - For years, they were the optimal place to pee. But now the state's rest areas on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway can be, oh, so much more. The Turnpike Authority will be spending upwards of $250 million to overhaul the 16 rest areas over the next seven years. We're thinking something better than cafeteria lines leading to a Burger King, and food choices that extend beyond overpriced, sugar-infused bread products. You know it's time to upgrade services areas when many motorists say, "Hey, let's just wait until we get to Delaware. I can hold it in."
NEWARK - All eyes in Newark are focusing on what is happening in Trenton at 10 a.m., as the New Jersey Board of Education will formally vote to return control of the Newark Public Schools to the city. It is a deal of humongous proportions, reports TAPInto Newark, as Mayor Ras Baraka and other city officials have run on platforms vowing to get the schools back, after 22 years. Now, the hard work begins: Proving to state education officials that they are making the right decision.
LACEY - For years, the local woods have been the place of choice for buttheads to abandon unwanted pets. The Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter is now officially fed up, taking care of the second dog recently found abandoned in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. NJ 101.5 reports the shelter is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the heartless soul who left the hungry, thin dog, named "Hope," in the woods to fend for herself. You can also help pay for her medical care, or maybe adopt her, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
JERSEY CITY - What quickly became the "video of the day" was released from the re-election campaign of Mayor Steve Fulop. The mayor is clearly looking to show he is just another fun, happy-go-lucky politician, as he enjoys using the signature beach chair of this summer's "Beachgate" mess to get his message across in 30 seconds. Fulop does a terrific job showing how he has pushed Jersey City forward over his first term. Rather than try to explain it, click below and see for yourself; the video's currently trending at 15,000 views.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
LONDON - Kiddies: get the best education you can. Otherwise, you may end up like the London public works employees, assigned to battle a giant blob that has completely clogged up a city sewer. The mega-thing is 250 yards long and weighs 11 double-decker buses. Workers will be spending three weeks in this so-called "sewer war," taking on a blob comprising congealed wet wipes, diapers, fat and oil. Likened to breaking up concrete, workers are using jet hoses to break up the blob before sucking it into tankers. The big question: Why didn't workers attack the blob when, say, it was "just" 240 yards long?
Whaddya talkin' about? That was the question in Queens, NY on this day in 1993, when residents learned they needed to begin separating their paper and plastics.
WORD OF THE DAY
Disport - [dih-SPORT] - verb
Definition: To amuse oneself in a light or lively fashion; to frolic
Example: I disported at Karaoke Night; no one can dare rival my version of "Rhinestone Cowboy."
WEATHER IN A WORD
Scattered