River Vale NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi comments on the Weinstein sexual harassment controversy and the Hollywood as well as Democrat double standard:
“I’ve found hypocrisy in politics fascinating as well as disgusting as it oftentimes involves women. Several months ago, in a room filled with more than 60 people, a local NJ democratic chairman made repugnant sexual based comments about a dear female professional friend of mine and yet not one person who was present said a word or spoke up. The press refused to cover the story after cowards who were present all claimed to be in the bathroom at the same time and therefore co…uldn’t confirm what had transpired.
Two years ago, another woman I know was sexually assaulted by a total piece of garbage who is prominent in NJ democratic state politics but she was convinced to remain silent by people in power as the perpetrator continues to receive promotions.
Where is the outrage one would expect against these examples? Why did people remain silent on Harvey Weinstein while accepting millions in campaign contributions? I worked in entertainment 20 years ago and stories about him were rampant back then. Why hasn’t the NJ state Democratic Party returned the monies he’s donated to them? Today, I challenge the three Democratic females running for office in my district to end their hypocrisy.
Time after time, you have launched baseless negative attacks, undertaken
hashtag politics, and fought on identity-based politics at the smallest
perceived slight or anytime you believe you can score cheap points yet you have remained silent on real issues within your own party.
Today, it is time for your games to end. The money you receive from
your Democrat Party, and from groups like Emily’s List and Emerge (which received donations of Weinstein’s money from the national Democratic Party) must be returned immediately. If it is not, and
you do not, it is clear that your words are meaningless.
The money you have taken is tainted by the very things you say you
oppose. Money from Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein, who we now know
is an accused serial sexual assaulter has flowed into the coffers of your state
party. Millions of dollars were also raised at a state party fundraiser arm in arm with Alec Baldwin, who is well-known for calling a NY Daily News photographer a ‘nutty bi#*h,’ deriding a Starbucks barista an ‘uptight queen,’ an airline stewardess who asked him to stop playing a video game and attacking his own daughter by calling her a ‘pig’ who ‘doesn’t have brains.
When candidates stand silent because it helps them financially but then
play politics on the same issue to help their ambitions, it’s clear they only care about one things: themselves.”
We harp on the massive, unsustainable, yet largely unnoticed, debt burdens of American cities, counties and states fairly regularly because, well, it’s a frightening issue if you spend just a little time to understand the math and ultimate consequences. Here is some of our recent posts on the topic:
Luckily, for those looking to escape the trauma of being taxed into oblivion by their failing cities/counties/states, JP Morgan has provided a comprehensive guide on which municipalities haven’t the slightest hope of surviving their multi-decade debt binge and lavish public pension awards.
If you live in any of the ‘red’ cities below, it just might be time to start looking for another home…
To add a little context to the map above, JP Morgan ranked every major city in the United States based on what percentage of their annual budgets are required just to fund interest payments on debt, pension contributions and other post retirement benefits.
The results are staggering. To our great ‘shock’, Chicago residents win the award of “most screwed” with over 60% of their tax dollars going to fund debt and pension payments. Meanwhile, there are a dozen municipalities where over 50% of their annual budgets are used just to fund the maintenance cost of past expenditures.
As managers of $70 billion in US municipal bonds across our asset management business (Q2 2017), we’re very focused on credit risk of US municipalities.
The chart below shows our “IPOD” ratio for US states, cities and counties. This measure represents the percentage of a municipality’s revenues that would be needed to pay interest on direct debt, and fully amortize unfunded pension and retiree healthcare obligations over 30 years, assuming a conservative return of 6% on plan assets. While there’s no hard and fast rule, municipalities with IPOD ratios over 30% may eventually face very difficult choices regarding taxation, non-pension spending, infrastructure investment, contributions to unfunded plans and bond repayment
Washington Twp NJ, Washington Twp Police , Fire and EMT’s responded to what appeared to a false alarm on Hampton Court at around 3pm on Tuesday 10/3 .Police received a call from an elderly women claiming to be in trouble. After repeated attempts were made to reach the women , Police and Fire used a latter to enter the townhouse only to find it empty with no sign of the women . Whereabouts of the women was is as of yet is undetermined , but her car was also missing from her garage .
Update : Women returned to her home around 530pm and was then recontacted by Washington Twp . Police .
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a single vehicle MVA on Route 17 southbound at A&S Drive on Tuesday morning, 10/03. The wrecked 4-door sedan was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. PSE&G was summoned to address a downed wire associated with the crash. Injuries to the vehicle’s occupants are unknown.
photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
October 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paraums NJ, On Monday Bergen County officials unveiled the new name of the former Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus.Bergen Regional Medical Center is now New Bridge Medical Center, a clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Care Plus Bergen, Inc. was welcomed at a ceremony Monday morning . The new non-profit is an alliance between Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Integrity House, and Care Plus NJ Inc., and will manage the day to day operations of the hospital and its core services of behavioral health, addiction treatment, long-term care and acute care.
John Mitchell Former Chairman at Bergen County Freeholder said ,”New Bridge Medical Center is the new name for the former Bergen Regional Medical Center…
…A bridge to a bright new future is underway as the County of Bergen and Care Plus Bergen begin a new partnership at NJ’s largest public hospital…
…I very much look forward to serving on the Care Plus Bergen Board of Trustees and having the goal of connecting compassion with quality care…”
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said ,
Today, the County of Bergen officially began the new and exciting journey for New Jersey’s largest public hospital. Members from the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the new medical center management team of Care Plus Bergen with third party-operators- Care Plus NJ, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, and Integrity House, and I officially unveiled the name new name of the facility – New Bridge Medical Center – at a ceremony morning.
New Bridge is a name that reflects both Bergen County history and the vision for the future of this medical center.
New Bridge Medical Center will enhance long-term care, acute care and behavioral health services while maintaining the hospital’s core mission of treating people with mental health and substance abuse issues. New Bridge Medical Center will also increase access to much-needed services across 27 medical specialties in order to meet the needs of Bergen County residents and patients.
New Bridge Medical Center will pursue innovative ways to improve health care access for the nearly 40,000 veterans living in Bergen County and northern New Jersey. Furthermore, New Bridge Medical Center, which is recognized as a leading health care provider in substance abuse treatment, will continue to be at the forefront of combatting the opioid epidemic by increasing access to these specific services. The hospital is committed to working with each of its partners to deliver first-rate, compassionate and innovative care to support every patient through their recovery.
This is truly another great day for Bergen County!
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police report coyote sightings .While there are significantly less coyotes in our Boro, the Paramus Police Department is aware that several coyotes have been spotted throughout Paramus over the year.
If you see a coyote that is an actual immediate threat to a human or pet call us via 911. Coyotes that are not a threat should be left alone. Groups of coyotes can worry residents, but experts say they are not a likely threat .
Glen Rock NJ, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is reporting that phone scammers are targeting those who have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance.
Horizon does not make phone calls to confirm your personal information.
If you’re targeted for a phishing scam, you will receive a call from someone claiming to be your health insurer. The caller will ask for personal information such as address, date of birth or social security number.
Be suspicious. Protect your information. End the phone call.
45 kilos of fentanyl seized by the State Police could have yielded 18 million lethal doses
September 30,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino today announced the indictment of four men in connection with the record-setting seizure of 45 kilograms – or nearly 100 pounds – of the super-potent synthetic opioid fentanyl by the New Jersey State Police in June. The State Police also seized nearly 40 kilos of heroin.
Fentanyl is one of the deadliest opioids, with a potency that is 50 times greater than heroin. The 45 kilos of fentanyl could have yielded over 18 million lethal doses, since a dose as small as 2 to 3 milligrams can be fatal. This case shatters the prior record for the largest seizure of fentanyl by law enforcement in New Jersey, which was set in March when the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations seized 14 kilos of fentanyl in Camden. The fentanyl seized in June – including 40 kilos seized in North Bergen and five kilos seized in the same operation in Willingboro – was initially suspected to be heroin because of the huge quantity, but lab testing revealed it was fentanyl.
“The 45 kilos of fentanyl seized in this case is the largest fentanyl bust in the history of the state, having broken the prior record announced only a few months ago,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Dealers lace heroin with this deadly poison to boost potency, and with these amounts of fentanyl being stockpiled in New Jersey, I am desperately urging heroin users to seek treatment now more than ever, as their next dose could be their last. Fentanyl is so deadly that just these 45 kilos of fentanyl could have yielded enough lethal doses to kill the entire populations of New Jersey and New York City combined.”
The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau obtained a state grand jury indictment charging the following three men with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl (2nd degree), possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute (2nd degree), and possession of fentanyl (3rd degree), in connection with the seizure of 40 kilos of fentanyl in North Bergen:
Jesus Carrillo-Pineda, 31, of Philadelphia, Pa.,
Jesus Yanez-Martinez, 22, of Somerton, Arizona, and
Daniel Vasquez, 28, of Somerton, Arizona.
Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez each face a charge of distribution of fentanyl (2nd degree), and Carrillo-Pineda faces a charge of possession of heroin (3rd degree) related to the North Bergen arrests.
The indictment also charges Carrillo-Pineda and Omar Zeus Rodriguez, 38, of Willingboro, N.J., in connection with the seizure in Willingboro of five kilos of fentanyl, nearly 40 kilos of heroin, and a smaller quantity of methamphetamine. They are each charged with conspiracy (2nd degree), possession of heroin with intent to distribute (1st degree), possession of heroin (3rd degree), possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (1st degree), possession of methamphetamine (3rd degree), possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute (2nd degree), and possession of fentanyl (3rd degree).
“Cases like this involving the interdiction of major drug traffickers represent just one facet of our efforts to fight the opiate epidemic,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We also have a strike team that has criminally charged six doctors with indiscriminately prescribing opioid pain pills for profit, including two who face first-degree charges of strict liability for a drug-induced death. We are bringing the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for fueling opiate addiction.”
“The unfortunate trend of adding fentanyl to narcotics has created a demand for this deadly opiate, putting not only the lives of users in grave danger, but also the lives of troopers and other first responders who may have come into contact with it,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “It is without question that this record-setting seizure of fentanyl preserved life and saved countless families the agony of losing a loved one to this terrible scourge.”
During the investigation, New Jersey State Police detectives from the Trafficking North Unit developed information that a shipment of drugs was being delivered to a location in North Bergen. On June 28, 2017, State Police detectives, assisted by members of the North Bergen Police Department, located and arrested Carrillo-Pineda, Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez in the parking lot of a business in North Bergen after observing an alleged drug transaction, in which the fentanyl allegedly was transferred from a tractor-trailer occupied by Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez to a Mercedes Benz driven by Carrillo-Pineda. The arrests resulted in the seizure of the 40 kilograms of fentanyl, which were individually wrapped and held in two black duffel bags that had been transferred to the trunk of the Mercedes Benz. A search of the car also revealed a handbag containing $1,050 in U.S. currency and a small quantity of heroin. The 40 individually wrapped kilos of fentanyl were initially suspected to be heroin, but lab testing revealed the packages contained fentanyl.
The next day, June 29, State Police detectives of the Trafficking South Unit continued the investigation with assistance from the Willingboro Police Department, conducting a search at Rodriguez’s residence in Willingboro, where Carrillo-Pineda had been staying. As a result, detectives arrested Rodriguez and seized nearly 80 kilos of suspected narcotics. Rodriguez was loading suitcases into a Range Rover outside his residence when he was approached by detectives. The drugs were found in the suitcases and an open Fed Ex box in the vehicle’s trunk. Testing confirmed that the seized kilos included five kilos of fentanyl, nearly 40 kilos of heroin, and a smaller quantity of methamphetamine. Other kilo packages contained cutting agents.
While it has been spotlighted for killing Prince and other celebrities, fentanyl also is responsible for a growing death toll in New Jersey, where there were 417 overdose deaths from fentanyl in 2015, and 394 overdose deaths from fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in just the first six months of 2016. Fentanyl is commonly mixed with heroin or cocaine for sale on the street, or is sold in powder compounds or counterfeit pills disguised as heroin, oxycodone or Xanax. Fentanyl is now found in approximately 30 percent of the heroin specimens tested by the New Jersey State Police forensic laboratories. By comparison, fentanyl was found in only 2 percent of the heroin tested by those labs in the first quarter of 2015. Given the tiny size of a lethal dose, drug users are dying because dealers are careless about how much fentanyl they put in such mixes and pills.
Fentanyl is so potent that medics and police across the U.S. have been sickened by coming into contact with it while responding to overdoses or making arrests. The State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit assisted with the search in Willingboro to address the concern about collateral exposure.
In addition to fentanyl, seven fentanyl knock-offs have been sold on the street in New Jersey, usually disguised as less-powerful drugs like heroin or oxycodone, triggering overdose deaths. The Attorney General’s Office issued an emergency order last year adding those fentanyl knockoffs to the list of drugs subject to the strictest level of state control.
Deputy Attorney General Norma Garcia presented the indictment to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Annmarie Taggart and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis.
Detective Sgt. Jeovanny Rodriguez was the lead detective for the investigation for the State Police Intelligence Section, Violent & Organized Crime Control Bureau North, Trafficking North Unit. Detective Garrett Cullen was the lead detective for the investigation for the State Police Intelligence Section, Violent & Organized Crime Control Bureau South, Trafficking South Unit. Attorney General Porrino commended all of the detectives and troopers who participated in the investigation for the New Jersey State Police. He also thanked the North Bergen Police Department and Willingboro Police Department for their assistance.
The first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while the third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Hudson County, where the defendants will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.
River Vale NJ , according to Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , “As the first female in my family to graduate from college or run for political office, I have always worked towards helping other women succeed. I am a professional woman who has worked in male dominated fields. I am a mother who struggled with infertility and multiple miscarriages while working 80 hour weeks as the primary breadwinner in my household, I am a brain aneurysm and melanoma survivor who champions health care awareness programs for women and has created scholarsh…ip programs for women in transition. That is why I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey for my work on behalf of women.”
Trenton, NJ , The Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey (WPCNJ) is proud to announce its endorsement of forty-six female legislative candidates for the General Election in November. The WPCNJ PAC is set to distribute nearly $40,000 in contributions to support a key group of its endorsed candidates at an event in Trenton on October 5.
“These forty-six endorsements reflect a strong showing of female candidates whose platforms are consistent with our mission of protecting reproductive freedom and promoting equal rights, regardless of party affiliation,” said WPCNJ Political Resources Director Shari Weiner.
The WPCNJ PAC is prepared to make significant contributions to candidates in the 2017 election cycle. WPCNJ PAC Chair Jennifer Mancuso added, “We are thrilled to contribute nearly $40,000 to support a diverse group of talented women who are ready, willing, and able to represent all New Jersey citizens with their unique perspectives.”
The WPCNJ PAC will hold an event to celebrate its endorsed candidates on Thursday, October 5th from 8:30-10:30am at the NJ Realtors’ offices at 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ.
According to The Center of American Women and Politics (CAWP), women hold a mere 36 of the 120 (30%) New Jersey legislative seats, down from last year’s record of 37 women legislators (30.8%). “Women make up more than 50% of voters, however, their elected representation pales in comparison,” said Weiner. “It is incumbent upon organizations such as ours to endorse and support these women candidates and break that glass ceiling.”
Leonia, NJ , Dinosaurs After Dark is a spooky, funny adventure into a shadowy, prehistoric world. But things get a little scary when the lights go out it’s discovered there’s a vicious T-Rex on the loose! Expedition Commander, Guy Gsell, will lead a Tyrannosaurus Hunt along the Field Station’s darkened trails with a stop at every dinosaur and a few surprises along the way.
This unique family experience includes three live shows and a campfire with singing, s’mores and hot chocolate! The Dinosaur Profiler will be on hand to explore the modus operandi of the T-Rex, from its ability to see in the dark to its amazing sense of smell. The Field Station’s Director of Security and Safety has prepared a Dinosaur Survival Guide for when guests come face to face with a T-Rex. By looking at the dinosaurs that lived in the age of T-Rex, children will learn from the greatest masters of Dinosaur Self-Defense – triceratops, stegosaurus and dilophosaurus!
The Dinosaur Troubadour will host the Crazy Cretaceous Costume Party, a musical puppet show where staff paleontologists will use the scientific method to determine the scariest Halloween costume of all. Is it the mummy, the vampire, the skeleton or the dinosaur? The Field Station team is ready to conduct an experiment and announce their conclusions – along the way we’ll meet a baby parasaurolophus and a walking T-Rex skeleton!
At the end of the night, everyone will gather around the campfire for a dinosaur song-a-long, s’mores and hot chocolate!
Reserve your Adventure
Fridays & Saturdays
September 29 through October 28
Dinosaurs After Dark begins promptly at 7pm and ends at 9:30 pm. The front gate will open at 6:45pm.
Garfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor GURBIR S. GREWAL announced animal cruelty charges brought against JESUS GABRIEL VALENTIN RIVERA (DOB: 6/22/81, single; and unemployed) of 3812 Pinehurst Drive, Deltona, Florida, VANESSA MILLAN (DOB: 05/04/86, single; and unemployed) of 650 Kenwick Circle, Apt#102, Casselberry, Florida, and ELAINE RAMOS (DOB: 7/13/90, single; and unemployed) of 263 Rose Petal Place, Altamonte Springs, Florida. The charges are the result of an investigation led by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Animal Cruelty Task Force under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
On Saturday, August 19, 2017, the Animal Cruelty Task Force received information about a suspicious van in the parking lot of a store in Garfield. Task Force members, assisted by the Garfield Police Department, approached the van, which was occupied by VALENTIN RIVERA, MILLAN and RAMOS and discovered 26 English and French bulldog puppies. The dogs were contained within two cages and one cooler, all of which were feces-littered. One of the cages housed thirteen of the puppies. The temperature in Garfield that day was 90 degrees, and the puppies had no access to water.
On August 19, 2017, VALENTIN RIVERA, MILLAN and RAMOS were each charged with 26 counts of Animal Cruelty in violation of N.J.S.A. 4:22-17(a)(3), a disorderly person’s offense. The defendants were charged on summonses and their court date is scheduled for October 3, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. before the Honorable Louis J. Dinice, J.M.C. in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would also like to thank the Animal Cruelty Task Force and the Garfield Police Department for their investigation.
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that the Attorney General’s Office and its state and federal partners have charged 100 criminal defendants in their unprecedented collaborative efforts to root out fraud in disaster relief programs following Superstorm Sandy. Four new defendants were charged yesterday with filing fraudulent applications for federal relief funds related to Sandy, bringing the total charged by the Attorney General’s Office with this type of fraud to 100.
“Charging 100 defendants in these relief-fraud cases is a sad milestone in that it highlights how many people are willing, in the face of a historic disaster, to dishonestly exploit an offer of aid meant for those who were hardest hit,” said Attorney General Porrino. “At the same time, we’re proud of our collaborative efforts, which have recovered millions of dollars and sent an unmistakable message that those who commit this fraud will face serious criminal charges, now and during any future disasters. The 100 defendants we have charged were responsible for diverting nearly $6 million in relief funds.”
The Attorney General’s Office is continuing its aggressive efforts to investigate fraud in Sandy relief programs, working jointly with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the Offices of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Also assisting the taskforce is the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, New Jersey Department of the Treasury Office of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the non-profit National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
The defendants are alleged, in most cases, to have filed fraudulent applications for relief funds offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In many cases, they also applied for funds from a Sandy relief program funded by HUD, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA, or funds from HHS. The HUD funds are administered in New Jersey by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the HHS funds are administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
The following defendants were charged yesterday by complaint-summons:
Michael A. Avena, 65, of Wyckoff, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP), the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program, and the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP). As a result, he allegedly received approximately $201,861 in relief funds to which he was not entitled. Avena allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on 5th Avenue in Ortley Beach, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, his primary residence at the time of the storm was in Wyckoff and the home in Ortley Beach was a vacation home. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Avena received $31,900 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, RREM grant funds totaling $150,000, and $9,961 in SHRAP funds. Avena is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
Charles Tuohy, 55, and his wife, Joanne Benzoni, 64, of Tenafly, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. As a result, the couple allegedly received $162,270 in relief funds to which they were not entitled. Tuohy and Benzoni allegedly falsely claimed in their applications that a home Benzoni owns on Lynn Ann Lane in Manahawkin, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was their primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, their primary residence at the time of the storm was in Tenafly and the home in Manahawkin was a seasonal/weekend home. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Tuohy and Benzoni received $2,270 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, and $150,000 in RREM grant funds. Tuohy and Benzoni are charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
Paula Belotta, 56, of Colonia, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). As a result, she allegedly received $12,270 in relief funds to which she was not entitled. Belotta allegedly falsely claimed in her applications that a home she owns on Fielder Avenue in Ortley Beach, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was her primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, her primary residence at the time of the storm was in Colonia and the home in Ortley Beach was a seasonal/weekend home. As a result of the alleged false applications, Belotta received $2,270 from FEMA and a $10,000 RSP grant. Belotta is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
“Our unprecedented collaborative efforts to target Sandy relief fraud have been highly productive, as evidenced by the 100 defendants we’ve charged,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The payoff from this anti-fraud program is not only the millions of dollars we are recovering, but also the deterrent message we hammer home each time new charges are filed. Thanks to these efforts, relief administrators in future disasters may be able to spend less time policing fraud, which is a drain on resources and a distraction from the vital task of aiding those in need.”
“The State’s continued vigilance against Sandy fraud demonstrates that we won’t stand for this reprehensible behavior,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “As such, my Department remains as committed as ever to working with our law enforcement partners to catch anyone who misuses our Sandy recovery programs.”
The new cases were investigated by detectives of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and special agents and inspectors of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, HUD Office of Inspector General, SBA Office of Inspector General, HHS Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted. Deputy Attorneys General Peter Gallagher, Valerie Noto, and Denise Grugan are prosecuting the new defendants under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Monahan, Chief of the Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, and Deputy Attorney General Mark Kurzawa, Deputy Bureau Chief. Lt. David Nolan and Sgt. Fred Weidman conducted and coordinated the investigations for the Division of Criminal Justice, with others, including Special Civil Investigators Rita Binn and James Parolski.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to$150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
On Oct. 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, resulting in an unprecedented level of damage. Almost immediately, the affected areas were declared federal disaster areas, making residents eligible for FEMA relief. FEMA grants are provided to repair damaged homes and replace personal property. In addition, rental assistance grants are available for impacted homeowners. FEMA allocates up to $31,900 per applicant for federal disasters. To qualify for FEMA relief, applicants must affirm that the damaged property was their primary residence at the time of the storm.
In addition to the FEMA relief funds, HUD allocated $16 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for storm victims on the East Coast. New Jersey received $2.3 billion in CDBG funds for housing-related programs, including $215 million that was allocated for the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and $1.1 billion that was allocated for the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. Under RSP, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is disbursing grants of $10,000 to encourage homeowners affected by Sandy to remain in the nine counties most seriously impacted by the storm: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties. The RREM Program, which is the state’s largest housing recovery program, provides grants to Sandy-impacted homeowners to cover rebuilding costs up to $150,000 that are not funded by insurance, FEMA, SBA loans, or other sources.
The Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and most private nonprofit organizations. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for a loan of up to $200,000 to replace or repair their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition. Secondary homes or vacation properties are not eligible for these loans, but qualified rental properties may be eligible for assistance under the business loan program.
The Disaster Relief Act provided HHS approximately $760 million in funding for Sandy victims. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) received approximately $577 million in Sandy funding through three grant programs, including the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program, which received nearly $475 million to help five states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maryland). New Jersey received over $226 million for a wide range of social services directly related to the disaster. New Jersey used SSBG funds to develop the Sandy Homeowner/Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) to assist individuals/families with expenses for housing and other related needs.
Trenton NJ, According to the website Roadsnacks ,these are the places in New Jersey with the most drug-addicted, violent, welfare receiving white populations in the Garden State. The website claims these Are The 10 Most White Trash Cities In New Jersey.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, white trash is defined as:
“A term used broadly to define a person or group of persons whom embody the concepts of ignorance, racism, violence, alcoholism, poverty, and anglo-saxon ancestry. Similarly used with the term ‘cracker,’ ‘hillbilly’ or ‘redneck’.”
The site claims after pouring over data, watching too many fist fights and perusing illiterate Facebook comments, we’ve determined these are the most White trash cities in New Jersey:
Roadsnacks used publicly available government data, as well as Google Maps, we were able to collect the data on the following white trash metrics:
Cities where there are lots of white people
Cities where residents are poorer than average
Cities where a high number of residents are high school dropouts
High drug use
Higher than average Payday Loan Outlets and bargain stores
Violent cities (measured in aggravated assaults)
Cities with a high number of residents on welfare
Saddle River NJ, the Borough of Saddle River has decided to take action against the aggressive coyotes in order to assure the safety of residents . The Mayor and council went as far as to approve the use of lethal force on the September 18th council meeting and created a taskforce , Emergency Mayor’s Coyote Management Task Force ,to recommend recommending long term solutions.
Here is the Mayor Albert J. Kurpis letter to residents
We have a Coyote Problem in Saddle River
An Update from your Mayor, 9/26/2017
As many of you have become aware, Saddle River is faced with a coyote problem. Over the past several years, our resident deer population has risen out of control, and it is believed that coyotes may be natural predators for these deer.
According to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes are usually not a threat to humans as they are lone hunters preying upon small animals, fawns and weak or dead deer. However, with the overpopulation of coyotes in the borough, they are now forming family groups in which they hunt for food and share their prey. They are clearly becoming a threat to our pets and potentially to adults and children. With the maturation of the pups of the last coyote litter season, these animals have become much more aggressive and now pose a real threat to humans, never seen before in our community. We will no longer tolerate this threat to our families and to our safety.
At the recent Mayor and Council meeting of September 18, 2017, the governing body approved a resolution allowing the police to use lethal force within the confines of the law to cull any and all aggressive coyote encounters. These actions will have to be supplemented by a long term strategy to radically reduce our coyote population.
I convened an Emergency Mayor’s Coyote Management Task Force on September 22, 2017, consisting of the Borough’s most important public safety personnel (listed below). We have developed a strategy to significantly reduce the coyote population over the next several months.
The Task Force will also be advising and recommending long term solutions to the Mayor and Council for implementation. In order for me to disseminate accurate and up-to-date information to you, the residents, I will be relying upon my Task Force to accumulate all data and information and to keep me abreast of their findings.
I want you to know that your local government is responding to your concerns and coyote population reduction has already begun. Implementation of a short and long term plan for controlling our deer population will be approved by the Mayor and Council within the next 60 90 days.
