The Jaffe Briefing - February 27, 2019
GALLOWAY - Not long ago, it was frowned upon for college students to sit in dorm room all day, eating Cheetos and playing video games. But now, with the evolution of "Esports," universities are creating these gamer havens. At Stockton University, for example, students who have absolutely no interest in actually kissing a girl during their four years of school can visit an old computer lab near the Stockton dorms. That's where students are using self-built computers to play online games, for many, many hours, at a competitive level, NJ.com reports. Stockton's Esports lab appears to be open until 2 a.m. daily, as games are streamed on Twitch and YouTube for viewers all over the world, likely middle schoolers who should be doing their homework or sleeping. Jokes aside. It's fierce competition to attract college students, even those who have no interest in the real world.
KENILWORTH - You'd have thought we heard the end about the so-called "pooperintendent" for the Kenilworth schools, caught taking a dump at the Holmdel High School track last spring. You'd have thought he would have quickly appeared in municipal court, taken his lumps and then moved to, say, Montana, where there are plenty of open fields. Yet, now he is demanding to know why the Holmdel cops released his mug shot to the media, feeding a frenzy. The question: Are cops forbidden from releasing these photos for such low-level offenses? The former school official claims he was given special treatment, thus creating "a media spectacle" that ultimately resulted in him resigning from a good job and being smeared across national news.
STATEWIDE - Dangers of lead exposure - especially to children - continue. It was with very good reason that New Jersey voters approved a $100 million bond issue last November to replace lead service lines in schools throughout the state. But, as NJ Spotlight reports, critics say the state is dragging its feet on critical upgrades. They're particularly critical of the state Department of Education which, they say, needs to, yes, get the lead out. Read about it in today's NJ Spotlight.
TRENTON - Among the many, many things that don't make sense in New Jersey is the fact it can cost less to buy a prescription without going through health insurance. State senators are now trying to right that ridiculous wrong, requiring pharmacists to actually inform customers if there are lower price options, such as with generic drugs, as well as preventing pharmacy benefits managers from charging co-pays that cost more than the actual drug. Common sense stuff here, which is why the legislation zoomed through the Senate, 35-0, and a companion bill is working through the Assembly.
STATEWIDE - NJ.com has used national data to post an interesting map,showing the life expectancy in all parts of the state. Freaky, hyper-local stuff, as one Jaffe Briefing writer noted his life expectancy in his hometown is 81.5 years old, where he works his 79.6 years old and his favorite beach is 79.9 years old. Some crazy disparities NJ.com notes, such as with those who live in the Upper Vailsburg section of Newark. The moment you cross Varsity Street going north on Eastern Parkway, the average life expectancy drops from 85.9 to 75.1. So, um, don't go there.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
LARAMIE, Wyo. - One student is sure to eat lunch by himself, as a Wyoming school district will be re-opening a school to serve just one kindergartener this fall. The Laramie Boomerang reports Cozy Hollow School is about 60 miles north of town and has one modular classroom that hasn't been needed in a decade. Amazing. And more amazing? The Albany County School District has one other one-kid school. They're only a few miles apart, but connecting roads are impassable over the winter. State law requires "on-site education" for isolated students, and that'll cost Albany County taxpayers $150,000 for these two "schools." Of course, if these one-kid schools were in New Jersey, they would also require a superintendent, a nine-member school board, principals, unionized teachers, support staff, cafeteria workers, armed guards, coaches, custodians and therapists to address all the loneliness. Figure an annual cost of about $5 million, not including the $20 million bond referendum for necessary repairs and additions.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was on this day in 1963 that Mickey Mantle signed a contract with the Yankees for $100,000, equivalent to 250,000 bottles of middle-inning beers.
WORD OF THE DAY
Avuncular - [ə-VUNK-yə-lər] - adjective
Definition: Suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality
Example: Herb and Paul have always been very supportive and downright avuncular.
WIT OF THE DAY
"Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off." - Bill Murray
WEATHER IN A WORD
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THE NEW 60
A Jaffe Briefing exclusive by Andy Landorf & John Colquhoun
