NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: January 27, 2023
1/27/2023 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
We bring you what's relevant and important in New Jersey news, along with our insight. Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: January 27, 2023
1/27/2023 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
We bring you what's relevant and important in New Jersey news, along with our insight. Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch NJ Spotlight News
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.
RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.
LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.
AND ORSTED.
COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.
>> HELLO, WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.
TWO MORE CITIES ARE DROPPING OUT OF THE STATE'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.
TRENTON AND NEWARK ARE NOW JOINING CAMDEN IN THE EXODUS SAYING THE RECENT 23% RATE HIKE HAS MADE THE PLAN UNAFFORDABLE FOR THEIR CITY BUDGETS.
IT HAS BROUGHT CRITICISM OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS AVOIDED ANY RATE HIKES THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN APPROVED A SPIKE OF 23% LAST YEAR.
SO WITHOUT THESE THREE LARGE CITIES, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE THAT REMAIN?
TED GOLDBERG TAKES A DEEPER LOOK.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S MAYORS FACE TOUGH CHOICE IFS THEY WANT TO STAY ON THE STATE HEALTH PLAN.
>> LESSENING THE HEALTH CLINIC HOURS OR YOU KNOW, POLICE OR FIRE OVERTIME.
WE WOULD HAVE TO GET CUTS IN EVERY AREA.
>> Reporter: TRENTON IS THE SECOND CITY TO LEAVE THE STATE INSURANCE PLAN AND OPT FOR PRIVATE INSURANCE.
ENROLLING WITH ETNA AFTER STARING DOWN A 23% INCREASE IN RATES.
THE MAYOR SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO AFFORD THAT WHICH WOULD HURT CITY EMPLOYEES EVEN MORE.
>> NOT ONLY WOULD THEY PAY FOR THEIR PORTION INCREASE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FULL INCREASE BECAUSE THEIR PROPERTY TAXPAYERS.
>> Reporter: CAMDEN WAS NEW JERSEY'S FIRST CITY TO GO PRIVATE.
>> WE ARE PROJECTING THE SAVINGS OVER $200,000 NOW.
COMPARED TO 2022.
>> Reporter: MAYOR VICTOR CARSTARFIN SAID CAMDEN WANTED TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE.
>> WE MADE A FINANCIAL DECISION IN COMPARING AND RIGHT NOW, WE GET THE SAME COST BENEFITS WE WOULD HAVE HAD IN OUR STATE IN THE LIMITS, COPAY, DEDUCTIBLE.
>> Reporter: THE 23% PREMIUM INCREASE HAS RAISED EYEBROWS ACROSS THE STATE AND ACCUSATIONS FROM STATE SENATOR MICHAEL TESTA MA THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH.
>> WE WERE NEVER TOLD THERE WAS GOING TO BE A 22.8% RATE INCREASE IN THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN.
NOW WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME INCREASE.
WHEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD 57% INCREASE EACH AND EVERY YEAR.
>> Reporter: TRENTON, CAMDEN, AND NOW NEWARK ANNOUNCING LAST NIGHT TO ABANDON THE STATE PLAN LEAVING SENATOR TESTA AFRAID THAT SMALLER TOWNS COULD FACE EVEN HIGHER RATES.
>> MY FEAR IS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT STAY IN THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN SORT OF HOLDING THE BAG SO TO SPEAK BECAUSE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAD THOSE INCREASES ARTIFICIALLY SUPPRESSED.
>> THE BIGGER THE POOL, THE BIGGER THE RATES.
IF YOU HAVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LEAVING, IF THE POOL GETS SMALLER, IT IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT.
>> Reporter: STEVEN TOLEY LEADS THE UNION ASK ME NEW JERSEY WHICH REPRESENTS WORKERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
HE ARGUES ONE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR THE STATE TO USE THE BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THAT HASN'T BEEN ALLOCATED.
>> IT IS MONEY THAT IS NOT BEING UTILIZED TO OFFSET THE PREMIUM INCREASES.
SO EVEN IF THE INCREASES ARE UNEXPECTED OR HIGHER THAN MAYBE THEY NORMALLY WOULD BE, THE MECHANISM TO OFFSET THOSE INCREASES IS AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNOR.
>> Reporter: SENATOR TESTA HAS SUGGESTED ALTERING THE INSURANCE OFFERED BY NEW JERSEY.
>> SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BELT A LITTLE BIT AND NOT NECESSARILY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXACT LEVEL OF BENEFIT THAT'S YOU PROVIDED THE YEAR BEFORE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE.
>> Reporter: MIKE SARA LEADS THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES AND SAYS MORE CITIES AND TOWNS ARE LOOKING INTO LEAVING.
HE SAYS THE STATE PLAN OFFERS ADVANTAGES FOR SMALLER TOWNS.
>> THE STATE SYSTEM SHOULD BE THERE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, TEN YEARS FROM NOW SO YOU CAN PLAN LONG TERM.
THAT STRENGTH WANES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TYPE OF INCREASES THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHED DOWN ONTO THE EMPLOYERS THIS YEAR.
>> Reporter: THERE HAS ALSO BEEN TALK OF COUNTIES BREAKING OFF INTO REGIONS TO GET INSURANCE.
ONE FOR NORTH JERSEY, CENTRAL JERSEY, AND SOUTH JERSEY.
>> WE DON'T KNOW IF THINGS ARE GOING TO GET ANY BETTER WITH THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND WE WANT TO TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS TO SEE IF WE CAN ESTABLISH THIS REGIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FUND.
>> Reporter: A STATE CONSULTANT'S REPORT BLAMES THE PRICE HIKE ON INFLATION AND THE RISING COST OF HEALTH CARE.
COSTS THAT COULD CONTINUE TO JUMP AS MUNICIPALITIES WORK FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.
>>> A NEW YORK JURY DELIVERED A GUILTY VERDICT TO THE MAN WHO MOWED DOWN SEVEN PEOPLE WITH A TRUCK ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN 2017.
HE WAS LIVING IN PATERSON AT THE TIME HE RENTED A TRUCK AND DROVE IT DOWN THE BUSY BIKE PATH KILLING AND INJURING SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF ISIS.
ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS DARREN DRAKE, A 32-YEAR-OLD FROM NEW JERSEY.
HIS MURDER SPAWNED THE DARREN DRAKE ACT WHICH PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW LAST MONTHS REQUIRING CAR RENTAL COMPANIES AND CAR DEALERSHIPS TO FLAG AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
SYPOV COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.
>>> MORE BACKLASH OVER THE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL OF SUPERINTENDENT ROGER LEONNE.
THEY DEMANDED A VOTE ON THE CONTRACT THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL IN 2019 IN A SPARSELY ATTENDED BOARD MEETING.
THE BOARD DENIED THEIR REQUEST, AFFIRMING THAT THE DEAL IS DONE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT IS LOCKED IN, UNTIL 2028.
THE COMMUNITY IS NOT EXACTLY FAULTING LEONNE THOUGH THERE IS BLAME ALL AROUND AND LEONNE BEING GUARANTEED A TEN YEAR DEAL.
HERE IS WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO SAY TO DAVID CRUZ ON CHAT BOX.
>> WILL YOU REOPEN YOUR CONTRACT SO THE PUBLIC CAN HAVE A SAY?
>> WELL, DEFINITELY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL CONSIDER IS YOU KNOW, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO IN 2028.
I WILL OBVIOUSLY ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BOARD.
>> TO SEE DAVID'S FULL INTERVIEW, CHECK OUT CHAT BOX SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ON NJ PBS.
>>> ON THIS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, THE HEAL ACT WAS INTRODUCED.
THE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION AND ANTI-SEMITISM ACT OF 2022.
THE GOAL TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHICH SCHOOLS ARE AND ARE NOT TEACHING THE CRITICAL LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HOLOCAUST AND HOW MUCH STUDENTS ARE ACTUALLY GRASPING THEM.
BUT ONE ORGANIZATION, THE JEWISH FOUNDATION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS, HAS TAKEN THE MATTER INTO ITS OWN HANDS, SELECTING 22 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM NINE DIFFERENT STATES TO ENGAGE IN A THREE-DAY EXTENSIVE PROGRAM EXPLOREING THE HOLOCAUST.
ONE OF THE SCHOOLS COLLECTED WAS COMMUNICATIONS SCHOOL IN WALL TOWNSHIP.
I AM SPEAKING WITH SHANNON WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM.
YOUR SCHOOL WAS SELECTED FOR THE SEMINAR TEACHING ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.
HELP US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS.
>> THIS IS AN AMAZING PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE SEMINARS BOTH IN THE SUMMER AND THEN THE ADVANCED SEMINAR TO BRING TEACHERS AND HOLOCAUST EDUCATORS TOGETHER TO LEARN FROM BASICALLY SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING SCHOLARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO NETWORK, SHARE RESOURCES, BEST PRACTICES.
IT IS JUST AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OTHER EDUCATORS AND SCHOLARS TO BASICALLY MAKE MY CLASSROOM THAT MUCH MORE I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IN-DEPTH AND HANDS ON AND JUST THAT MUCH MORE EDUCATIONAL FOR MY STUDENTS.
>> WHEN YOUR STUDENTS COME INTO THE CLASSROOM, WHAT DO THEY COME IN KNOWING OR NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST?
HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT HANDS ON FOR THEM?
>> THE KNOWING PART IS BASED THROUGH THE ELEMENTARY AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
THEY KNOW ABOUT CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS IN GERMANY AND THAT IS WHERE MOST OF IT SEEM TO BE FOCUSED WITH WHAT MY STUDENTS COME INTO ME WITH.
WHAT I TRY AND DO HERE THROUGH THE U.S. 2 COURSE IS TO EXPLAIN THE WHY.
WHY WAS IT ABLE TO HAPPEN.
GIVE THEM THE DOCUMENTS.
THE NUREMBERG LAWS.
TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE ACROSS THE TERRITORIES THAT HAD BEEN EXPANDED INTO BY GERMANY AND LITERALLY GIVE THEM HANDS ON USE WITH DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES AND DIARIES TO BRING IT ALIVE TO SHOW THEM WHAT HAPPENED, HOW IT HAPPENED, AND BASICALLY, WHAT THE IMPACT OF ALL OF IT WAS.
>> THESE ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, YES?
>> YES.
THESE ARE HONORS LEVEL JUNIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
>> IT CAN BE REALLY HARD, RIGHT?
AS THE AVERAGE PERSON KIND OF GRAPPLING WITH THE IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE HOLOCAUST.
IT IS HARD TO WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN.
BUT THEN WE LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND THERE IS A DISTURBING RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM AND NEO-NAZIISM RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S. HOW DO YOU COMPARE THAT TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE U.S.?
>> ANY TIME THERE ARE NEW STORIES, MY KIDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TALK ABOUT THEM.
THEY HAVE THIS ABILITY TO CONNECT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONNECT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST WHEN THEY LEARNED ABOUT IT TO SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.
MOST OF THEIR QUESTION IS HOW DO I MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO THAT THINGS DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
AND THAT'S ALWAYS WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO.
WE WANT THEM TO QUESTION AND WE WANT THEM TO SAY OKAY, IF THIS IS WHAT I'M SEEING, WHAT IS MY ROLE?
ONE OF THE QUOTES I ACTUALLY CAME ACROSS THIS MORNING WAS GENOCIDE HAPPENS, FOR GENOCIDE TO HAPPEN, ORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE PART.
ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE US.
AND THE GOAL IS HOW DO YOU NOT BECOME ONE OF THOSE ORDINARY PEOPLE THAT TAKES PART.
HOW DO YOU BECOME AN ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO STOPS?
WE ALWAYS SAID AFTER THE HOLOCAUST NEVER AGAIN.
BUT TIME AND TIME, WE SEE IT HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN.
SO HOW DO WE STOP IT HAPPEN SOMETHING.
>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.
BUT THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THOUGHT TO LEAVE US WITH.
SHARON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY IT WILL REPLACE LEAD PIPES AND SERVICE LINES ACROSS THE U.S.
THE EFFORT IS PART OF A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND FOUR STATES, NEW JERSEY BEING ONE OF THEM.
NEW JERSEY'S COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PARTICIPATED AT THE LEAD ACTION SUMMIT WHERE HE ANNOUNCED THAT EAST NEWARK AND HARRISON WILL BE THE FIRST COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LEAD REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.
THE FEDERAL EFFORT WILL WORK TO DETERMINE WHERE LEAD LINES STILL EXIST.
NEW JERSEY HAS A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO IDENTIFY THOSE LINES.
AND THE FEDERAL SUPPORT AIMS TO SPEED UP THAT PROCESS.
>>> NEW JERSEY IS WORKING TO REBUILD ITS REPUTATION AS THE GARDEN STATE AFTER YEARS OF INDUSTRY HAS LEFT IT WITH TOXIC SITES.
SEVERAL OF THESE SITES HAVE BEEN CLEANED UP AND GIVEN A SECOND LEASE ON LIFE.
BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON HOW THESE CAN REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES.
>> Reporter: IT IS ALMOST LIKE A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS.
SOME 50,000 SOLAR PANELS CATCHING THE DAYLIGHT.
BUT THIS FARM IS BUILT WHERE NOBODY COULD EVER PLANT SUNFLOWERS.
ATOP A FORMER SUPERFUND SITE IN MOUNT OLIVE FILLED WITH HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIAL WASTE.
IT IS CAPPED AND CONTAINED AND GENERATING 25 MEGAWATTS OF CLEAN GREEN ENERGY.
>> I MADE THE MOST SENSE.
YOU DENT HAVE TO PIERCE THE CAP TO PUT THE SOLAR PANELS ON THE LANDFILL.
AND, ULTIMATELY, WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPING THAT PROJECT.
>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS ORE OTHER IDEAS INCLUDING A GOLF COURSE OR SHOPPING COMPLEX PROVED TOO COSTLY AND CLEANUP TOO COMPLEX.
BUT THE SOLAR FARM FIT PERFECTLY AND THE DEVELOPER SWEETENED THE DEAL BY PAYING OFF A $2.4 MILLION TAX LIEN ON THE SITE.
AND THERE IS MORE.
>> WE WOULD SEE A CONTINUING TAX REVENUE OUT OF THE PROPERTY OF ABOUT 50,000-DOLLARS A YEAR WHERE WHICH WE ARE REAPING THE BENEFIT OF.
OVERALL, THIS PARTICULAR LANDFILL HAS BEEN A WIN WIN FOR THE TOWNSHIP.
NOT JUST ECONOMICALLY.
BUT PART OF THE CONTRACT REQUIRED THE DEVELOPER TO ACTUALLY FIX PROBLEMS WITH THE CAP.
>> THAT'S A BIG GAME CHANGER.
>> Reporter: HOMEOWNER ALYSSA CARUSSO LIVERS IN A PART OF MOUNT OLIVE WHERE TOXINS HAD POTENTIALLY THREATENED ABOUT 50 HOMES WITH PRIVATE WELL WATER.
THE TOWN CONNECTED THEM ALL TO A SAFE MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM AND THE SOLAR FARM DEVELOPER PAID FOR THAT, TOO.
>> I REALLY HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY HOUSE.
I STILL FEEL LIKE IT WAS A GOOD INVESTMENT.
>> Reporter: SO DOES GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO SET NEW JERSEY'S GOAL AT 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050.
>> FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE, THIS SITE REPRESENTED OUR THROW AWAY CULTURE WITH ALL THE LONG TERM CHALLENGES THAT WAY OF LIVING PRODUCED.
BUT TODAY, IT REPRESENTS A MORE SUSTAINABLE NEW JERSEY.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY LEADS THE NATION IN SUPERFUND SITES AND REMEDIATION IS COSTLY AND COMPLICATED.
WHEN IT IS DONE, THE SITES ARE NOT PRISTINE SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND WAY TO REPURPOSE THE PROPERTIES.
>> WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM THE PROPERTIES INTO COMMUNITY NEEDED USES.
AND EVEN ASSETS.
>> Reporter: NJIT'S CAYLEN BRUNO SAYS THEY ARE TRICKY.
OUT OF 59 NEW JERSEY SITES IN REUSE, ABOUT 27% ALLOWED ONGOING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
24% INVOLVED NEW DEVELOPMENT.
19% INCLUDE PARKS AND RECREATION, AND MORE THAN 9% ARE SOLAR FARMS.
THOSE OFTEN GET BUILT ON SOME OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS SUPERFUND SITES.
>> IT IS A GREAT WAY TO USE THE SITES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE FLAT AND CAPPED.
THAT IS WHAT THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT.
IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THESE SITES TO BE REUSED.
>> Reporter: THE EPA'S JACQUELINE CONDRICK SAYS THESE SITES DOT NEW JERSEY.
A LEGACY OF LANDFILLS AND A INDUSTRIAL PAST.
FLORENCE ONCE HOME TO THE FACTORIES THAT SPUN THE CABLES FOR THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE BUT IT ALSO CONTAMINATED THE SITE WITH TOXIC HEAVY METALS AND INDUSTRIAL SLUDGE.
THE EPA STARTED CLEANUP IN 1990 AND DECIDED WITH TOWNS FOLK TO BUILD A MUSEUM HERE DEDICATED TO THE ROBELING LEGEND.
>> IT IS REALLY FANTASTIC.
BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL SEE ALL OF THE INDUSTRY THAT HAS GONE ON HERE.
AND, ENJOY THE GREEN SPACE.
AND ENJOY THE HISTORY OF THIS SITE.
>> IT IS A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT IS A VERY WELL KEPT NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND, DO PEOPLE LOVE IT.
AND, ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE MUSEUM.
>> Reporter: REALTOR JAMIE DEVRO SAYS THE ROBELING MUSEUM RAISED PROPERTY VALUES FOR NEARBY HOMES AS DID THE NEW RIVER FRONT PARK AND WALKWAY.
NJ TRANSIT ALSO BOUGHT AND CLEANED UP PART OF THE ROBELING SITE TO BUILD A NEW LIGHT RAIL TRAIN STATION ALONG ITS RIVER LINE.
IT IS HARD TO EVEN SEE THE SUPERFUND SITE ANYMORE.
>> THE MUSEUM DOES A LOT FOR PEOPLE.
THEY HOST EVENTS AND STUFF.
AND LIKE ON HOLIDAYS, THEY DO STUFF FOR THE KIDS SO THAT IS PRETTY COOL.
>> Reporter: ALSO PRETTY COOL, A MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STADIUM BUILT ON PART OF THE AMERICAN SUPERFUND SITE IN BRIDGE WATER.
CLEANUP STANDARDS ARE FAR MORE ADVANCED IN AREAS LIKE THIS BUT SO ARE THE REWARDS.
TRUSTY WHITMAN CUT THE RIBBON OPENING THE PROJECT.
>> PEOPLE ARE THERE WITH THEIR KIDS HAVING FUN.
IT'S AN ECONOMIC STIMULOUS.
>> Reporter: WHITMAN AND CURRENT EPA OFFICIALS URGE TOWNS CONTAINING UNDEVELOPED SUPERFUND SITES TO REACH OUT INSTEAD OF LETTING A CONTAMINATED SITE LINGER.
>> WHEN IT IS LEFT VACANT, IT'S AN EYESORE.
IT ALMOST DRIVES PEOPLE AWAY FROM THAT AREA.
IT DOES.
>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> FOR MORE ON SUPERFUND SITES GETTING SECOND CHANCES, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE.
WE HEAD TO ATLANTA COUNTY WHERE THE NOTORIOUS PRICE LANDFILL IS TRANSITIONING FROM TOXIC THREAT TO CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE.
DOWNLOAD IT AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.
>>> NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING INDUSTRY IS TAKING A TURN.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, WHAT IS CHANGING IN THE REAL ESTATE SPACE?
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING MARKET HAS DEFINITELY COOLED OFF.
ACCORDING TO NEW FIGURES FROM NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE NUMBER OF CLOSED SALES IN THE STATE FELL 17.8% IN 2022 COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR.
THE ORGANIZATION BLAMES RISING INTEREST RATES, LOW INVENTORY, AND CLIMBING PRICES FOR THE DROP.
LAST YEAR, THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOME ROSE 8.7% TO $473,000.
A CALL FROM ADVOCATES IMPLORING NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS TO KEEP THE STATE'S HIGHER CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX RATE IN PLACE HAS DRAWN CRITICISM FROM THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNALED HE WOULD SUPPORT THE PLAN, SUNSETTING OF THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX SURCHARGE WHICH WOULD DROP THE CBP FROM 11.5% TO 9%.
THAT DREW OBJECTIONS FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS AND UNIONS.
CHAMBER CEO AND PRESIDENT TOM BACKEN, A MEMBER OF THE NJ SPOTLIGHT BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAID POLITICAL LEADERS SHOULD KEEP THEIR WORD AND LET THE SURCHARGE EXPIRE.
>> THOSE COMPANIES ARE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE AND A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF NEW JERSEY'S TAXES PAID ARE BEING PAID BY THESE COMPANIES ALREADY.
SO, IT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE GETTING A DEEP DISCOUNT TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S CURRENT CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX RATE IS THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.
>>> NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WHO USE EASY PASS MAY NOT ALWAYS QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTS WHEN TRAVELING IN OTHER STATES.
BUT A LOT OF DRIVERS AREN'T AWARE OF THAT UNTIL THEY SEE THE HIGHER CHARGES ON THEIR BILLS.
LEGISLATION PASSED THIS WEEK WOULD ALLOW THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE TO NOTIFY MOTORISTS OF TOLLING POLICIES ON ITS WEBSITE.
READ THE STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.
>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.
>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER AS THE GOVERNOR PREPARE TO UPDATE HIS ENERGY MASTER PLAN.
SHE HIGHLIGHTS NEW JERSEY'S ENERGY FUTURE INCLUDEING THE COST AND IMPACT OF A SWITCH TO CLEAN ENERGY AND WHY SOME LAWMAKERS ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP NATURAL GAS AS AN OPTION.
WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. ON NJ PBS.
>>> AND IN OUR FINAL STORY TONIGHT, THERE AREN'T MANY PLACES WHERE THOSE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING CAN JUST GO TO HANG OUT UNENCUMBERED BY THEIR DISABILITY.
THAT IS UNTIL DEAF DELIGHT CAFE CAME TO NEWARK.
THE COFFEE SHOP INSPIRED BY THE OWNER'S PARENTS WHO ARE BOTH DEAF.
BUT THIS PLACE HAS HIT HARD TIMES AND AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS IS IN DIRE NEED OF SUPPORT TO KEEP ITS DOORS OPEN.
>> I DECIDED TO A CAFE BECAUSE I FELT LIKE WHATEVER SOCIETY WASN'T PROVIDING FOR THE DEATH COMMUNITY, I WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: SANJA RIVERS' PASSION TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY IS PERSONAL.
RIVERS WHO IS THE OWNER OF DEAF'S DELIGHT CAFE SAID IT WAS CREATED AS A TRIBUTE TO HER PARENTS WHO WERE BOTH DEAF.
IT WAS PAINFUL TO WITNESS THEM STRUGGLE TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD SOCIALIZE AND FEEL ACCEPTED.
>> THIS IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE TRISTATE AREA.
AND THE TRISTATE AREA, WE HAVE MORE THAN 850,000 DEAF HARD OF HEARING.
>> SHE DESCRIBES THE EATERY AS A SAFE PLACE WHERE THE DEAF COMMUNITY CAN GO FREELY WITHOUT ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS.
>> WHEN THEY DO COME HERE, SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS INTERPRETING.
CLOSED CAPTION IS HERE.
YOU CAN WALK AROUND THE WALLS AND YOU WILL SEE THE ALPHABET.
COFFEE.
YOU WILL SEE HOW YOU CAN DO IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.
HERE, YOU CAN LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE.
WHEN THEY COME HERE, THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE SOMEONE ELSE LIKE THEM.
THEY ARE SEEN, HERE.
>> JUST IMAGINE BEING 10, 11 YEARS OLD, OR 12 YEARS OLD TRY TO TALK TO A GIRL WHO IS HEARING.
AND YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEAK OR YOU MOVE YOUR HAND.
THEY START LAUGHING AT YOU.
THROWING STUFF.
THE WORST THING I EVER EXPERIENCED WAS MUD PUT IN MY HEARING AIDS.
HEARTBROKEN.
>> Reporter: TYSON HALEY SHARING WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO GROW UP HARD OF HEARING.
HALEY WHO IS PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE DEAF ADVOCACY GROUP OF NEW JERSEY SAYS HE IS A REGULAR HERE.
>> I LIKE COMING TO THIS PLACE.
I CAN WATCH MY MOVIES HERE.
I CAN WATCH THEM FROM HOME.
YEAH.
BUT LIKE I SAID, SOMETHING IS COMING OUT NEW ON NETFLIX.
WE COME TOGETHER AND WATCH IT ON THE SCREEN.
AND IT IS REALLY COOL AND WE CAN WATCH IT.
I DON'T GO TO THE MOVIE THEATERS.
THE REASON WHY, THEY GIVE US THESE GLASSES OR THE SCREENS BUT IT IS NOT WORKING.
SO HALFWAY THROUGH THE MOVIE, IT DIES.
OR IT'S THE WRONG MOVIE.
>> Reporter: WHILE THEY SAY THE CAFE CATERS TO THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, THEY SAY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WHO DO HEAR COME TO SUPPORT IT.
>> COME FELLOWSHIP TALK, HANG OUT, SEE PEOPLE WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
ESPECIALLY EMPOWERING THE HEARING COMMUNITY TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE.
>> Reporter: AND THEY NOW NEED THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT EVEN MORE THAN EVER.
THAT IS BECAUSE THE EATERY IS AT RISK OF CLOSING ITS DOORS.
IN 2022T CAFE'S KITCHEN WAS DESTROYED BY TROPICAL STORM IDA.
SHE SAYS TO DATE, SHE IS MORE THAN $70,000 IN DEBT.
>> THE ROOF CAVED IN AND FLOODED MY KITCHEN AND I WAS CLOSED FOR SIX MONTHS.
DURING THOSE SIX MONTHS, THAT I WAS CLOSED, I ACCUMULATED SO MUCH DEBT.
NOW MY LANDLORD IS SUING ME FOR THE RENT.
THAT I WAS CLOSED FOR WHOLE SIX MONTHS.
STATE FARM FELT LIKE IF MY LANDLORD WOULD HAVE FIXED THE ROOF IN A TIMELY MANNER IN THE THREE MONTHS THAT WAS GIVEN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY.
BUT THE LANDLORD TOOK MORE THAN SIX MONTHS TO FIX THE ROOF.
SO I WAS STUCK WITH ALL THESE BILLS THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO PAY.
>> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE NOW NEEDS AT LEAST 30,000-DOLLARS BEFORE HER COURT DATE NEXT MONTH TO KEEP THE CAFE OPEN AND HAS CREATED A GO FUND ME PAGE TO HELP.
RIVERS STRESSES THAT THE CAFE IS NOT JUST A SAFE AND UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEAF, IT IS A RESOURCE FOR A COMMUNITY THAT FEELS UNHEARD.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.
>> THAT DOES IT FOR US.
TUNE IN TO REPORTER'S TOWN TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ WHERE HE TALK TO JEAN RICHINGS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT LOCAL NEWS IS ON LIFE SUPPORT.
THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJ PBS.
I'M JOANNA GAGIS.
FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS TEAM.
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Video has Closed Captions
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Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 1/27/2023 | 3m 57s | NJ teacher takes part in an intensive, national program on Holocaust education (3m 57s)
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Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 1/27/2023 | 5m 55s | About 60 landfills, industrial sites and illegal toxic dumps in NJ have been transformed (5m 55s)
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