The Jaffe Briefing - November 19, 2021

ATLANTIC CITY – You know a new supermarket is a really big deal when the governor comes to the groundbreaking ceremony and talks about how it took $19 million in taxpayer money to make it happen. And now, amidst all the shiny shovels, Atlantic City will very soon have its first, high-quality supermarket in 15 years. All the hoopla occurred yesterday, conveniently when Gov. Phil Murphy was in the city to address the League of Municipalities, celebrating that a ShopRite will now occupy state land on Baltic Avenue, which is not a high-priced area, according to our Monopoly board. No doubt, this supermarket is a long time coming, as low income residents are forced to buy high-priced food at bodegas, not exactly known for their organic fresh produce or diverse selection of wheatgrass. “We’re finally going to water this food desert,” Murphy said, with the grand opening planned in a couple of years.

ATLANTIC CITY – Property tax cuts? We all want them, and so does the governor. Fresh off his razor-thin election victory, Murphy appeared before municipal officials at the League of Municipalities conference yesterday, positioning himself as the guy who has the back of every mayor and council member. He talked about the tens of billions of dollars of state property tax relief, touting that “over our first term, we’ve invested more in property tax relief than in any other term in state history.” He also noted the $700 million in pandemic aid, as part of this bit of a victory lap. But before municipal officials left the room in search of the next open bar, the governor did state the obvious: “I’d like to have small (property tax) increases turn into significant decreases,” Murphy said, noting a plan to better fund school districts through the state budget would drive down local property taxes. Well, we have four more years to see if that will happen. (Sprinkle dash of pessimism here.)

STATEWIDE – It’s painfully obvious and hopefully coming to New Jersey. As we prepare for a “new normal” of chronic flooding and unpredictable weather, as companies continue to churn the greenhouse gasses, the state is planning a number of new regulations on future construction. The Record, publishing an important series all week about chronic flooding, says the state will be limiting first-floor living spaces, elevating new roads, removing pavement around wetlands and creating a whole bunch of other rules to help control, somewhat, the flooding that is only getting worse. New Jersey can’t do zilch with the existing buildings and infrastructure that were carelessly built on flood plains – unless we flatly refuse to rebuild and pay out property owners. But that would put million-dollar solutions into the billions in a state that’s only getting warmer and wetter.

BRIEFING BREATHER

Lobster used to be so cheap that it was fed to prisoners.

EAST ORANGE – May we suggest a lovely honey-glazed ham? Or perhaps a really fine turkey? Holiday meats abound for city residents, who are getting their choice of free food or gift cards if they agree to just one thing: Finally getting vaccinated against COVID. City officials are spreading the word about their new and exciting incentive program, as deals abound. While supplies last, $50 Amazon gift cards and/or holiday gift boxes — with the fixings — are being handed to those who come for first and second doses, while $20 Walmart gift cards and/or some delicious holiday meats await those receiving their booster/third shot. City health officials say that even such small incentives are just enough to entice the unvaccinated. Nice perks, above the obvious one: staying healthy and alive.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

ORLANDO – You, too, can help break a world record. All you need is to allow Ripley's Believe it or Not! to cut and collect your hair as it creates the largest ball of human hair in world history. Its ball already has a name – Hoss – and was started by a hair stylist in 2019. It now weighs about 100 pounds and more than 1,000 Ripley’s fans, to date, have generously contributed. Ripley’s is dead serious about this world record, even attending a recent Florida expo in the hopes of collecting more live hair and, of course, ginning up publicity for its very important cause. There’s a lot more work to do here, as the current record for a hair ball is 167 pounds, courtesy of a very bored Missouri barber in 2008.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was this day in 1984 that Dwight Gooden becomes the youngest pitcher, at 20, to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

WORD OF THE DAY

Burnish – [bər-nish] - verb

Definition: Polish and make shiny

Example: Many corporations want to burnish their commitment to climate change these days. Meanwhile, New Jersey floods.

WIT OF THE DAY

“No need to ask. He's a smooth operator...Smooth operator.”

-Sade

BIDEN BLURB

“In this world, emotion has become suspect - the accepted style is smooth, antiseptic and passionless.”

-Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

Brr