As reported by nj.com, a former state trooper and veteran of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has been selected by Mayor Tony Mack to head Trenton’s police department, the city’s legal counsel confirmed. Ralph Rivera, Jr. rose to the rank of major during his 27 years with the New Jersey State Police and was
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Public Employee Unions Fear Political Shift in NJ Supreme Court
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, as hearings on Governor Chris Christie’s two Supreme Court nominees draw near, the state’s largest public employee unions say they are alarmed by a potential shift in the Court’s political balance, and Democrats are poring over new information about the pair.
In a letter to the Senate last …
Old Bridge Lays Off Ten Officers
By Donald C. Barbati on
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As reported by nj.com, on Thursday, Old Bridge Township laid off 10 officers and issued notices that some supervising officers, including captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, would be reduced in rank. Mayor Owen Henry said the department was reduced from 91 officers to 81 because of a recent arbitration award resolving a police contract dating …
Pension Reform Lawsuit Dismissed
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by app.com, a federal lawsuit brought by New Jersey public employee unions, in an attempt to overturn last year’s pension and benefit reforms, has been dismissed. U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson ruled Monday that the issue is not under federal jurisdiction because of the 11th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, …
Governor Christie Talks Criminal Justice Reform At Westwood Town Hall
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie told a town hall crowd in Westwood why he thinks reforming the state’s criminal justice system will save money and reduce the number of repeat offenders.
This week he said he will release details about the mandatory drug treatment program for nonviolent offenders first unveiled in …
Local Governments Stand To Save Millions By Opting In To NJ Health Plan
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, local governments could save more than $100 million annually by opting for the state health benefit plan instead of costlier alternatives, according to a State Comptroller’s Office report released Tuesday. The audit looked at four local governments of varying locations and sizes, Essex County, Brick Township, East Brunswick, and Haddon …
Bill Offers NJ Towns Choice: Share Services Or Lose Equivalent State Aid
By Donald C. Barbati on
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As reported by nj.com, a Senate panel today approved a bill to give voters in New Jersey towns a stark option: either share the services the state has recommended for you and your neighbor, or lose state aid equivalent to what you would have saved.
It was an idea born out of Senate President …
Mercer County Sheriff’s Officer Awarded Nearly $6 Million In Damages
By Donald C. Barbati on
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As reported bynj.com, a judge ordered Billy Heisler to pay nearly $6 million to Joshua Hahn, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Officer he shot during an off-duty encounter outside a Hamilton pizzeria in 2007. The civil judgment was awarded after Hahn took the witness stand and described how his attempts to intervene in a …
Bill To End Sick Leave Payouts For Public Employees Proposed By Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
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As reported by nj.com, for 14 months, Governor Chris Christie and Democratic lawmakers have been at an impasse over payouts to public workers for unused sick time when they retire, further straining the budgets of municipalities. On Tuesday, however, Senate President Stephen Sweeney introduced a measure that would end the practice for new employees …
Trenton Violence Prompts Meeting With AG Officials About NJSP Intervention
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, amid a rising tide of violence in Trenton, including a murder in the shadow of the Statehouse on Route 29, the State Attorney General sent officials yesterday to discuss helping Trenton’s layoff-depleted police department, Mercer County Prosecutor Joe Bocchini said today. The meeting between Bocchini, Trenton acting Police Director …