The Jaffe Briefing - October 16, 2017
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
MONTCLAIR - As many voters have no clue who is running for governor, you can bet it may be difficult for NJTV to gather a wide viewership tonight's debate of candidates for lieutenant governor. But since Monday Night Football doesn't include the Giants or Jets, then, sure, we will be tuning in at 8 p.m. as Phil Murphy's Number Two - Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver - goes up against Kim Guadagno's running mate, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo. During the debate at Montclair State University, expect Oliver and Rendo to play the role of attack dogs, which should make things interesting, as they promote the campaign platforms of their prospective bosses.
ON THE RAILS - The union representing conductors says NJ Transit is letting money slip through its fingers, claiming plenty of passengers are buying discounted tickets that are reserved for seniors and people with disabilities at vending machines, NJ.com reports. The problem is that many of these people are spry 30-somethings, and the union says it is not allowed to ask for ID. NJ Transit counters the claim, saying only 10 percent of all tickets are discounted fares and conductors are allowed to ask for ID. Unclear if any do, and bringing a cane on the train can probably save you $1,000 a year.
STATEWIDE - Ahhh, Halloween! The perfect time of the year for your little cherubs to meet the neighborhood sex offenders. Before you head out for the ghoulish night of trick or treats, you may want to visit the State Police database that lists your neighbors required to register under Megan's Law - now updated for 2017! Visit this site for a handy-dandy listing of which homes to walk by briskly.
LIVINGSTON - Not only is Livingston High School educating the next generation of truly spectacular leaders, it is also ensuring they are drug-free. That's the message of school officials, now considering a measure to randomly drug test students. Under the plan, students would randomly be plucked out of class and sent down to the nurse to - we assume - pee in a cup. Teens can avoid the testing by not being involved in sports or other extra-curricular activities. Translation: Not joining anything and intentionally remaining in the shadows - or, basically, the optimal life of a drug abuser. Read more about the proposal here.
BAYONNE - For those looking for a new way to get to New York, imagine an aerial gondola connecting Bayonne to Staten Island. City officials are envisioning the gondola traveling over the Kill Van Kull, creating what has been described as "the next frontier of regional transit," the Jersey Journal reports. Sounds fun. But the big question: Is it even feasible?
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MARQUETTE, Mich. - "Son, do you spend all your time at college with a bong?" "You bet, Dad." "Well, keep it up!"
That's the conversation taking place at dinner tables across Michigan, after Northern Michigan University announced its "medical plant chemistry program," in which students are majoring in marijuana. The Detroit Free Press reports that, yes, this is actually a major at an accredited university, saying students are studying chemistry, biology, botany, horticulture, marketing and finance. Heading off to "cannabis college" will give these students all the tools they need to grow and sell pot. Defensive university officials say 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, and eight sell recreationally, so Northern Michigan is just filling a need. OK?
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
WORD OF THE DAY
Chary - [CHAIR-ee] - adjective
Definition: slow to grant, accept or expend
Example: I'm chary with my words. Nothing more to add here.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Sixty