Nothing is going to change for women until women demand change

So…in 2020, DEMAND CHANGE. Support women running!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — CHICAGO – 1/2/2020 — Formulating New Year’s Eve resolutions for 2020?

RUN

, a new independently produced TV show, has a suggestion for the feminists in the room: support women running for office using a “squad” mentality that defends, supports and amplifies women during their run!

RUN

has already transformed the campaign of one woman, Bushra Amiwala, who won her race for school board in IL in 2019 by a narrow margin with the team’s help. The format of the show includes five female experts in campaign strategy, PR, tech, activism and comedy that empower scrappy, novice, passionate female political candidates to run. The team has already gathered an audience of 30k followers and is currently in talks with networks to land the show. The show’s trailer and info can be found at

www.runtheseries.com

“Nothing is going to change for women until women demand change as a group,” states Genevieve Thiers, producer and tech trainer of

RUN

. “We are the supermajority. But we’ve faced so many challenges for equality in our own lives that we very rarely support each other, monetarily or otherwise.” Thiers has one suggestion for reversing this thinking. “It’s 2020. Try something new. Reverse course and throw your support and voice behind as many women who share your views and are running as you possibly can.” Thiers has put her money where her mouth is on this front. A mother of twins who founded tech company

Sittercity.com

and has funded over 15 women in tech companies and supported over 50 women in politics, she is a force for women worldwide.

The RUN team has five specific suggestions for how best to help women running.

Support her with talent.

If you have an area of expertise….be it campaign, fundraising, tech, content creation, social media, field work, legal….reach out to her team right away and ask if there are gaps you can fill in the campaign office while she runs.

Support her with money.

Not all of us have to max out in donations. Even $1000 makes a huge difference to a woman running. The very best thing you can do is a home event, where you invite neighbors, friends and family and set a goal to raise x dollars for the candidate and her team.

Defend her.

If news comes out that seems suspect, in today’s era of false news it very well might be false. Women are also especially prone to attacks on their looks, their voices and any emotion they show. Use your voice on social media to call out anything blatantly unfair and urge friends to, too.

Amplify her.

In the same way, if the women you are supporting have policy changes, messaging or news that they are trying to distribute, send it across your social networks and send bulk emails. This is easy and will do wonders for her viral reach.

Zig when others Zag.

At first, your strategy of supporting women might be met with raise eyebrows, especially from boomer women, who unfortunately had it the worst when it came to competitiveness. Don’t try to talk these women over to your side. Just loudly and consistently support women and you will see it rub off fast into their own behaviors as well.

“It is so important for women to be a part of the political process” states the show’s PR expert Mary Simms, an army veteran and mother of twins based out of California. So this year, get out there this year and help women RUN.

RUN the Series

RUN is a new series produced by Ana Breton, Victoria Elena Nones and Genevieve Thiers. The show helps women running for office win via training and help from five female experts in Campaign Strategy, PR, Tech, Activism, and Comedy called “The Boss Squad.” In each episode of RUN, a different woman\’s campaign is transformed from striving to thriving. Filmed in the heart of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, RUN’s pilot episode follows 21-year-old muslim candidate Bushra Amiwala in her race for School Board in Skokie, IL. (Spoiler alert—she wins!). The show aims to inspire, educate, and empower an audience of women and girls to get out and knock doors, become a donor, take the leap to run for political office and build squads around each other to win. See more at

www.runtheseries.com

January is National Blood Donor Month

A North Carolina Family is Celebrating Blood Donors and Organ Donors on Their Son’s One-Year Double Lung Transplantaversary

January 2, 2020

—

January is designated as National Blood Donor Month by The American Red Cross. During this month, all are encouraged to give blood, which is typically in short

COTA Patient Charlton Buchanan Double Lung Transplant Recipient

supply at this time of the year due to the holidays and an increase in communicable illnesses. A COTA family in North Carolina will be forever grateful to the blood donors whose blood was used throughout their son’s transplant journey and his life-saving transplant that occurred last year on January 16

Charla and Trevor Buchanan of Robbinsville, North Carolina, are stepping into 2020 hoping and praying this is a year of no medical emergencies, no surgeries, no complications and no setbacks for their son, Charlton, who will be celebrating his 26

birthday in September — a dream come true for this family.

According to Charla, “For 24 years we have been on a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) journey … but more than that, we have been on a faith journey. Our son, Charlton, was born with CF, which is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and an overall inability to thrive. From his premature birth until very recently, Charlton’s life has consisted of daily physical and respiratory therapy, medications, quarterly clinic visits to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill and annual (sometimes bi-annual) hospital stays. Although his treatment regimen has been incredibly time consuming (2-4 hours daily), Charlton seldom complained as a little boy … as a teenager … or as a young adult. He has always had a positive attitude and has lived a full and active life. In fact, many people never knew he was battling a challenging and life-threatening disease.”

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestines. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. CF is an inherited disease, and while there is promising research, there is no known cure.

Even with a multitude of CF-related challenges, Charlton attended and graduated from Robbinsville (NC) High School. He then attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and received a degree in computer information systems on May 12, 2018. Charlton was hired by the Graham County (NC) government to work in its Information Technology Department. His life definitely seemed to be moving in the right direction. His friends and family were thrilled for this young man who simply was not going to let anything stand in his way … including his battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

However, 2018 proved to be one of the hardest years of Charlton’s life due to nine hospitalizations. His lung function rapidly declined, and with each hospital stay, increasing amounts of oxygen were required. During a challenging two-week hospital stay in December, Charlton’s transplant team decided it was time to list Charlton for a double lung transplant while he was still healthy enough to thrive and before there was further lung decline. Charla, Trevor and many other family members and friends knew this would one day be his reality, but the news took everyone by surprise.

Charlton was officially listed for new lungs on January 9, 2019. One week later on January 16

, the Buchanan family received ‘the call’ telling them lungs were available. Charla posted this update on Facebook, “Transplant day has been long for everyone. We are all excited and want to hear good news, but the only news so far is that the surgery is going well and it will still be a long wait. On January 17

she updated, “Charlton is out of surgery and in recovery. He woke up easily, was taken off the ventilator, took his first breath with lungs that are NOT diseased with Cystic Fibrosis — and never will be. To say we are amazed, awed and blown away is an understatement.”

Charlton’s post-transplant recovery was nothing less than amazing. On the second day after his double lung transplant, Charlton was moved to the stepdown unit and walked five laps. On day three post transplant he was able to eat real food. Eight days after his transplant, Charlton was discharged to medical housing close to the transplant center. According to Charla, this recovery timeline tied for the shortest UNC Medical Center record for a double lung transplant patient.

In the midst of this whirlwind a transplant social worker at UNC Medical Center had introduced the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to the Buchanans and suggested they might want to consider fundraising for the transplant-related medical costs they would be facing. On January 11

, Charla called COTA to learn more and to ask many good questions about how COTA might be able to help. On January 29

, Charla and Trevor returned the paperwork and officially became part of the COTA Family.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) works with individuals of any age with single gene disorders, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Polycystic Kidney Disease and Sickle Cell Anemia. COTA uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a community team of trained volunteers. Another plus? COTA funds are available for a lifetime. On February 22

, a COTA fundraising specialist trained volunteers in Robbinsville for the COTA for Team Charlton campaign and walked the group of attendees through the entire COTA fundraising process. This group of family members and friends quickly got to work organizing fundraisers for COTA to help with mounting transplant-related expenses.

According to Charla, “From the moment we reached out to COTA, we were set at ease. Every staff member we spoke to was so reassuring and helpful, patiently answering the multitude of questions and listening intently to our concerns. Charlton received his transplant so quickly that we had not yet had time to officially become part of COTA. When we reached out a week after his transplant … our minds in a whirlwind … they made the process so easy. Very soon after that we began receiving much-needed support and our team of volunteers began fundraising with COTA’s guidance and support.”

“As our COTA team of volunteers began to raise funds in honor of Charlton, we were relieved to share that COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime,” Charla said. “Our volunteers were given a fundraising website at no charge and I used the COTA site to blog medical updates to our friends and family.”

Charlton remained in the Chapel Hill area, some 315 miles from their home, for three months. On April 10, 2019, Charlton was released to return home to Robbinsville. Charla blogged on the Team Charlton COTA website, “WE ARE HOME!!! Twelve weeks to the day after his transplant. Charlton even went back to work today. He feels great and has been hiking and enjoying time with friends. His lung function numbers continue to climb higher than they have been in more than two years with his oxygen levels staying at 100%.”

Recently Charlton updated his friends, family and social media followers on how things are going post-transplant. Here is the list of accomplishments he shared:

I set the hospital record for getting listed, transplanted and discharged.

I got out of ICU in one day.

I do not cough or get out of breath now.

I do not have to do breathing treatments anymore.

I am very thankful for my donor and continue to pray for his/her family.

“It is overwhelming to hear the word ‘transplant’ but even more overwhelming to learn about the related expenses. From the moment we learned about the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) and reached out prior to our son’s transplant, we were instantly set at ease. COTA is more like a family than an organization. COTA does not simply assist with transplant-related expenses, they give peace of mind. And to a family in crisis, that gift is priceless! It is hard to describe the reassurance in knowing COTA will be there for Charlton

… for a lifetime,”

Charla said.

“COTA allows us to breathe easier every day because we do not have to focus on the financial aspects of Charlton’s disease and treatment, but can enjoy the journey of healing,”

she said.

Charlton continues to thrive in every aspect. At his ten month post-transplant follow-up appointment, the doctors told him he was doing so well he did not need to come back until his one-year checkup. He never coughs any more, and he is currently at his heaviest weight. Charlton is eating well, working out at least three times a week and overall feeling great. He goes to work every day and is very active doing the things he enjoys, which include hiking, fishing, snowboarding, rock climbing, traveling, going to concerts, hanging out with friends and family, and actively participating in his church. Charlton is living life to the fullest and is now planning for a bright future — something he was previously reluctant to do.

Mom Charla reflected, “Looking back at pictures from last year at this time, it is very humbling to realize how low he actually was and now how far he has come. This lung transplant has truly been a life-saving gift in so many ways, and COTA has been there through every step of the process. We now understand why a transplant anniversary is celebrated.”

Helen G. Boehner Elliott (nee Shaffer) of Runnemede

Helen G. Boehner Elliott (nee Shaffer), on December 31, 2019, of Runnemede. Age 92.

Beloved mother of Roland Boehner (Karen), Carol Boehner and Barry Boehner (Christine). Loving grandmother of Kevin Boehner (Laura). Great grandmother of Joshua and Hannah. Dear sister of the late Evelyn, Rayetta, Greta and Clarence. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Helen was a member of TMA Laurel Springs, the Red Hatters, the Lindenwold Moose Lodge and Stetser Lamartine American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Chews Landing.

There will be a visitation from 3 to 4pm Monday afternoon at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Memorial Service 4pm at the funeral home.

Interment private.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Helen’s memory to the American Diabetes Assoc., 575 Route 28, Bldg. 2, Suite 2107, Raritan, NJ 08869.

Detroit Free Press Is An Absolute Disgrace

January 2, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

a news story in the January 2

Detroit Free Press

By Bill Donohue | The Catholic League

Let\’s say you are a reporter who detests the Catholic Church (there are more than a few out there),

and would like to do an article that reflects badly on it. You come across a story that may qualify, but it is rather routine: it is about high school boys acting inappropriately.

Not satisfied that it will really put the Church against the wall, you decide to enhance the piece by trotting out a story about a noted Catholic public figure (Brett Kavanaugh) who was accused of acting offensively when he was in high school. It happened decades ago in some other part of the country, and the charges were never corroborated by anyone, but that doesn\’t matter. It can be made to fit.

Still not satisfied this will embarrass the Church, you add a story about a Catholic priest who, while having nothing to do with the original story, is serving time for what he did in the 1990s.

The story then ropes back to high school boys today in two Detroit Catholic schools who did something really newsworthy: they got into a brawl following a hockey game.

This 2679-word cut-and-paste \”news story\” appeared in the January 2nd edition of the Detroit Free Press.

If I were the editor of this media outlet, and I also hated the Catholic Church, I would reject this story as a sophomoric piece of journalism that would convince the reader that we have a blatant bias against Catholicism. Yet it passed muster and was printed.

To say this story is disjointed would be an understatement: forcing unconnected stories—stuffing them together without any segue—is what we would expect from a high school student hoping to finally make the honor roll.

If a reporter did a story on African American high school students who acted inappropriately, and added to it a story on O.J.—jamming in a story about Bill Cosby—and ended with a note about brawling black high school athletes, it wouldn\’t pass the smell test. The odor of bigotry would be in the air.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education found that between 2013 and 2016, Detroit Public Schools listed 45 criminal cases of sexual misconduct, and 233 incidents of sexual harassment involving students. Worse, the district had no Title IX investigation procedure. Moreover, just a few years ago, USA Today did a major study of sexual misconduct in the public schools in every state, rating them on several measures. Michigan received an overall score of \”F.\”

Those who work at the Detroit Free Press have no interest in sticking it to the public schools, which is why they would never do to them what they did to the Catholic Church today. They are a disgrace to the profession of journalism.

Contact Peter Bhatia, editor and vp:

pbhatia@freepress.com

Mental Health, Suicide Awareness Key During Holiday Season

MediaWize

December 31, 2019

Photo Credit: Helpguide.org

By Dr. BUZZ MINGIN

The holiday season is joyous for many, and what we see in the media and on TV commercials suggests warm family gatherings, loving interpersonal relationships and an optimistic view of the new year to come.

Unfortunately, there is another side to the holidays. The pressures of everyday life, relationships, difficult financial situations, even the change in seasons can lead people to dark places mentally. In some of the worst-case situations, people are overwhelmed and desperate and may have suicidal thoughts or even act on those thoughts.

It’s important to understand the “why” of suicide, if we hope to prevent it.

When people hear a tragic story of a person inflicting insult to themselves resulting in death, the perceptions of others is often incorrect as to “why” the deceased made such a drastic decision to no longer live.

In neuroscience, we define Trauma as inescapable stress to the brain. In other words, when the brain is disturbed by constant, inescapable stress, that disallows the thinking part of the brain from strategizing through situations nor being able to see any possibilities of recovery. Sadly, death becomes the only means the non-thinking part of the brain can perceive as a way to not feel disturbed, depressed, scared, sad, or paranoid.

It’s important to know that the part of the brain that influences suicide is called the subcortical region, or the bottom part of the brain. Interestingly, this part of the brain has no thinking capacity. So, when the brain is ailing and won’t negotiate with the top part of the brain (the cortical/cerebrum or the thinking part of the brain) the stress that the brain experiences becomes exacerbated and desperate.

Because there is no thinking capacity in the subcortical region of the brain (the bottom part of the brain that suicidal ideation resides), suicidal people are not able to think logically, plan, strategize, understand cause and effect nor use practical or sophisticated judgement as the cortex (thinking part of the brain) is unavailable to sufferers. Therefore, when people learn of someone who is suicidal, it is common for them to put blame on those who are suicidal for upsetting loved ones.

Others may mistakenly compel suicidal individuals to feel guilty for being suicidal, and/or make unreasonable demands of suicidal people such as suggesting one needs to think more positive or be grateful of what one has. At the same time, the system of care finds it simply convenient to prescribe medication without regard to the precursor that could be causing the “inescapable stress to one’s brain.”

Some of the precursors could include but not be limited to the following as witnessed by me at my clinical center in southern New Jersey: Trauma i.e. victims of abuse, Seasonal Affective Disorder, mental health disorders, i.e. Depression, Craniocervical Syndrome Junction Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Substance Abuse, chronic medical condition(s), chronic sleep conditions, hormonal conditions, toxicity to the brain i.e. mold, and many other undiscovered reasons.

It’s important that the world recognizes that it is never the initial goal for one to take his or her own life. But, without resolution as to what is causing the impairment, the brain activates a “Flight Response” (responsible by Adrenal glands that produce Cortisol) in many suffering individuals that makes the sufferer feel, not think, that the only way to rid the pain and suffering is to end one’s life.

Even more complicated, suicidal people often get a rush of energy developed by higher levels of cortisol (commonly called a cortisol burst/rush) that reinforces the idea that dying is a viable option. As a result, when a suicidal person entertains the idea, a false reality, that dying would feel better than suffering, the sufferer is highly “at risk”. This is called ideation, the process of entertaining the feeling of ending one’s own life, which results in the sufferer feeling a burst of positive energy coming from perceiving that the suffering can immediately end.

Once the thought of dying is no longer creating an energy rush, the sufferer commonly adds to the perceived anticipated experience but then by creating or adding to the plan. This now creates another Cortisol rush that gets the sufferer through the moment or through the day. To keep the rush, the sufferer may investigate ways to die. In other words, the sufferer is now most “at risk” for following through with the suicide attempt which gives the sufferer a final boost of energy to actually now complete the act.

This process happens even if the thinking part of the brain is suggesting to the suicidal person that this is not a good idea. This moment of conflict is called cognitive confusion, moral confusion, or spiritual confusion. These moments are when the thinking part of the brain doesn’t agree with the emotional impulse that is manipulating a suffering person’s behavior. Analogously, this is a similar feeling that a person experiences when one has the flu and perceives he will feel better if he simply takes medicine or escapes going to school or work that day.

Another example could be a child who is physically hurt and feels his mother’s comfort is the only means to take away the pain. Therefore, he craves his mother’s attention at any expense. Another example could be a drug addict who can’t imagine going through another minute of the day without getting high and the more he feels he needs to get high, the more he will act on impulse. Although tough to hear and impossible to imagine by most, this is how the brain works when one’s stress is inescapable to one’s brain.

In summary, there are many reasons why people feel suicidal, entertain the thought of ending one’s own life, and actually following through with the plan to do so.

Identifying the precursor that causes impairment is paramount. Otherwise, the sufferer may never get better. It’s critical that people recognize that the dysfunction of any suicidal person resides in the subcortical region of the brain. This realty and understanding is a must in order for supporters of the ill to not exacerbate their conditions by lecturing those who are suicidal, making suicidal people feel guilty for being suicidal, and simply trying to negotiate ill people out of making a poor decision when, in fact, the region of the brain that evaluates, decides, and makes logical choices is not even available to suicidal people.

Understanding the brain parts, functions and chemistry are a first step in preventing suicides and reducing the number of successful suicide attempts in today’s society.

It is hoped the “stigma” attached to mental illness and suicide can be erased with such understanding.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please contact the

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Enviro Bills Up in NJ Committee on Monday

The following environmental legislation will be up in the state legislature on Monday, January 6, 2020.

Assembly Environment and Solid Waste:

A4819(Benson/Pinkin): Establishes goals, initiatives, and programs to encourage and support the use of plug-in electric vehicles.

“Finally, the roadblocks to make EV’s a reality in New Jersey are being lifted. This legislation is more critical because cars and trucks are the biggest source of air pollution in our state. The legislature is now accelerating moving forward with the original bill instead of the weakened one amended by the Murphy Administration. The new version will have the same targets as the original bill of 330,000 EV’s by 2025, 2 million by 2035, and at least 85% of all light duty vehicles sold in New Jersey will be electric by December of 2040. This bill will help kick electric vehicles into high gear. It’s a major step forward in making EVs a reality in our state,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We are finally going to put our foot on the acceleration and move forward after Murphy’s staff to cut back and weaken EV goals. Now it is critical that the bill is pushed through committee and will move forward in both houses.”

Assembly Appropriations:

“There are two bills up, A6088 (Burzichelli) and A5741 (McKeon/Pinkin), that are trying to fix the solar program. When Governor Murphy signed the Clean Energy Act of 2018, we said that it would hurt the solar program and cause it to crash. That was a pass-first, fix-later legislation that was only a cover for the nuclear subsidy bill. We said that the bill would lead to the solar market collapsing completely, putting a wrench in our plans to make New Jersey cleaner and greener. Now, the legislature is working on short-term Fix Bills to deal with the damage from the Clean Energy Act,” said Jeff Tittel. “Instead of fixing and expanding the solar program, the legislature are postponing the inevitable crash of the solar market. These Fix Bills do nothing to improve the solar program, and instead continue to undermine New Jersey’s clean energy goals.”

A6088 (Burzichelli): Allows BPU to increase cost to customers of Class I renewable energy requirements for energy years 2022 through 2024, under certain conditions.

“We support this bill because it will prevent the collapse of the solar market, but our concern is that this is a temporary fix. We are heading into a crisis for solar energy, and this bill is just a stopgap instead of a real solution. We have said from the beginning that the cost cap would hurt the solar industry and cause it to crash. This legislation is just a short-term fix that averages the cost cap out over five years to extend the program. Under this bill we can only get to 200 Megawatts per year instead of the 500 MW that we need to reach our clean energy goals,” said Jeff Tittel. “We should be completely getting rid of the cap. We don’t have caps on energy from coal, nuclear, oil, or gas. Having a cap on solar hurts renewable energy and favors fossil fuels.”

The bill would allow the BPU to increase the cost cap on Class I renewable energy requirements if the total energy costs during energy years 2019 through 2021 is less than 9%. Since the solar program went into effect about 10 years ago, solar has become 29 percent more efficient and gone down in price by 25 percent.

“What we need is a real fix, not a temporary one. This bill raises the cost cap and averages it out over five years. If the costs exceed the limit the BPU is still required to set aside the Renewable Portfolio Standard for that year. You also have to factor in legacy SRECs as well as transition SRECs. Our concern is that even with this change in the law it will not allow us to have a robust solar program,” said Jeff Tittel. “We need to remove the cost cap, but we also need to come up with a new solar program that is more cost effective and works for all of New Jersey. This includes looking at other funding mechanisms and regulations to push for solar programs to get done.”

A5741 (McKeon/Pinkin): Revises law concerning solar renewable energy portfolio standards, solar renewable energy certificates, and net metering..

“Even though this bill does not actually fix our solar program, we support it because it will prevent the program from crashing. New Jersey passed legislation in 2018 that ends the solar program at 5.1 Gigawatt hours in 2021, but we already have 5.8 GWh in approved applications. This bill would increase the solar incentive program to 6.39 GWh in 2026. This is like swerving to avoid a tree and driving off of a cliff instead. The solar market can end by either running out of the program or by hitting the cost cap,” said Jeff Tittel. “These were the flaws we saw in the 2018 solar bill and they are coming home to roost. We opposed that bill because it would lead to the solar market crashing, and now we are getting a temporary Band-Aid instead of a real fix.”

The bill amends provisions in current law to increase the solar program from 5.1 % in 2021 to 6.39% in 2026. There are five times as many jobs in the solar sector than there are in the coal industry. Improving solar energy in the state would make our environment cleaner, fight climate change, and increase green jobs.

“If New Jersey is going to deal with climate change, we need to take steps to reduce GHG emissions and move forward toward reaching 100% renewable energy. This bill is just kicking the can down the road with a temporary fix, and will not allow for a robust solar energy program. Increasing the solar program by 1.29 percent will not get us anywhere near Murphy’s goals of 50% renewable energy by 2030 or 34% solar by 2050,” said Jeff Tittel. “This bill is a short-term fix. We should be making sure the SRECs program reflects the actual cost of certain sectors of the solar market. Improving solar energy in the state would make our environment cleaner, fight climate change, and increase green jobs.”

A3783 (Eustace): Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires NJ DOT to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT.

“We need this legislation and we need it now. New Jersey is already seeing hundreds of shipments of explosive fossil fuels, whether it is bomb trains carrying Bakken crude oil or LNG, and we could be seeing more in the future. PHMSA recently approved a special permit that will allow hundreds of trains carrying explosive LNG through New Jersey communities and neighborhoods. Not only do these hazardous shipments put people at risk by cutting through densely populated communities but they can also cause ecological disaster and water supply nightmares,” said Jeff Tittel. “We need this legislation to protect communities that have dangerous train cars traveling through them every day. It has passed in the Senate and now the Assembly needs to act quickly and get to Governor Murphy’s desk to sign.”

The bill requires operators carrying Bakken crude shipments to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail. Previous Bakken train derailments have led to train cars setting on fire, homes being destroyed, forced evacuations of entire towns, threatened water supplies, and human casualties. Governor Christie vetoed this bill when it was originally passed and an attempt for an override was made.

“We need this legislation because if there is an accident or spill, it can catastrophic consequences to our communities. This bill requires the railroad to have a warning system in place and a contingency plan that will deal with any potential spill or accident. This legislation also gives towns important tools to deal with a response or emergency clean up and will give the town notice when a train is coming through. It is important that the state legislature is resisting Trump Administration rollbacks to rail safety,” said Jeff Tittel. “This bill will help protect the people of New Jersey from dangerous spills and derailments. We need our legislature to move quickly on this bill to help protect susceptible communities.”

A4819 (Benson/Pinkin): Establishes goals, initiatives, and programs to encourage and support the use of plug-in electric vehicles.

“Over 45% of our greenhouse gasses in New Jersey come vehicles and our state suffers from failing air levels. This bill is the first major step in reducing pollution and GHG’s from our transportation sector. Now it is critical for the legislature and Governor Murphy to pass and sign this comprehensive electric vehicle legislation. Our state used to be a leader in innovation and transportation and can be again in clean transport. We can see the benefits of clean air and clean jobs if the BPU builds a state-wide network of charging stations, creates green jobs, saves people money on gas, and reduces air pollution. Half of New Jersey’s greenhouse gases come from mobile sources, but these emissions can be easily cut by implementing EV technology,” said Jeff Tittel.

A6102 (Kennedy): Provides two-year exemption for hospitals from requirement to source separate and recycle food waste.

“We oppose this legislation because hospitals should be the easiest place to separate and recycle food waste. We are in a climate crisis and our waste is a major contributor. Food waste that is brought to landfills instead of anaerobically digested or composed contributes to global warming and GHG emissions. As we move toward getting to zero carbon, we need to move towards getting to zero food waste,” said Jeff Tittel. “Hospitals create a tremendous amount of food waste, and they should be one of the simplest places where food waste could be recycled.”

Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee:

S3796 (Andrzejczak): Requires DEP Commissioner to establish individual transferable quota system for menhaden purse seine fishery.

“Menhaden are an important species and the food supply and stability of our fisheries, but this bill would lead to overfishing of this critical fish. Our concern is that the bill will privatize the regulation and mandate by setting up this quote system. By locking in quotas for different fishing interests, we believe it will lead to overfishing. What is an even bigger problem is the trading system of quotas. Menhaden are a critical link to the food web and are known as forage species. This means they function as a food source for larger species like bluefish and striped bass,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This legislation will essentially be a destructive domino effect throughout the marine food chain. It will not only impact these important species, but impact New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fisheries.”

New Jersey Politics

Over the Holiday you might have missed three valuable local news stories regarding the Van Drew\’s Party Switch, Brigid\’s Campaign for Congress, and NJ-2.

– On 12/22 – Tom Moran, the Star Ledger\’s Editorial Editor wrote the following piece

\”Meet the Woman Who Wants to Make Van Drew Pay for His Sins\”

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/12/meet-the-woman-who-wants-to-make-van-drew-pay-for-his-sins-moran.html

Moran

writes,

\”

Harrison is designed for this moment. A moderate Democrat with lifelong roots in the district, she is a super smart woman who

moved faster than all the boys

to secure the support of six county chairmen within a few days of Van Drew’s betrayal.\”

– On 12/23 – David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe published Brigid’s letter to each of Democratic County Chairs in NJ-2

Brigid Callahan Harrison’s letter to Democrats

It has been a very fast moving couple of weeks, so thought the timeline and context showcased in the letter would be helpful to understand the quick developments we have seen in NJ-2.

– On 12/19 – On the heels of Van Drew\’s party-switch, polling already showed 60% of respondents stated that “someone new” should be elected, and only 24% said that Van Drew “deserves to be re-elected.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/19/jeff-van-drew-anti-impeachment-democrat-flips-to-republican-party.html

Republicans Uphill Battle In NJ-02

Republicans face a significant challenge holding onto New Jersey’s Second Congressional District and Congressman Jefferson Van Drew’s party switch does not improve their chances in November. Beyond the vulnerabilities on display in his own internal polling, Van Drew’s party switch has further weakened him as a candidate: he enters 2020 despised by Democrats, distrusted by Republicans, and likely viewed poorly by independents who watched him swap identities for political gain. His reputation as an independent voice for South Jersey was prefaced on the mirage he held any core beliefs, but he has undermined that image by earning

coverage

of his

politically

motivated

party switch.

Southern New Jersey Democrats were already motivated to challenge Van Drew because of his very public attacks on other Democrats. His decision to join the Republican Party only increases Democratic voter motivation in the district.

The Primary Will Weaken The Eventual Republican Nominee

President Trump’s support of Van Drew is far from assured. After making his initial announcement, Van Drew loses most of his political value to the White House. And most Trump White House political endorsements

only

consist

boiler-plate

tweet.

But even with President Trump’s support, Van Drew is far from certain to prevail in the Republican primary.

His Republican primary opponents have

indicated

that they all intend to stay in the race despite Van Drew’s party switch.

David Richter, a wealthy candidate with the ability to

self-fund

and pose a serious challenge to Van Drew even without establishment support, has stated he is staying in the race. Richter has already made the NRCC’s “On The Radar” list, so House Republicans’ campaign arm will have to choose whom they support.

Since Van Drew’s party switch, Richter

affirmed

his willingness to spend $1 million of his own money on the race, which is more funding than Van Drew currently has on hand.

Richter has already begun

attacking

Van Drew. Richter went on local talk radio Wednesday morning and argued that the Republican establishment was “trying to clear the field for [Van Drew] now to get the Republican nomination because he can’t win a primary, he can’t defend his own record.”

Van Drew’s Democratic voting record provides an outsized target for Republican candidates to attack

Van Drew has voted

against

President Trump 93 percent of the time; including votes

against

border wall funding, a vote

condemning

Trump’s remarks about four congresswomen as racist, and a vote

limiting

federal spending at properties owned by President Trump.

He’s also voted against some of Trump’s signature policies, including

against

the Administration’s ban on transgender members of the military,

against

the Administration’s rule to block abortion providers from Title X funding, and

against

the Administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Van Drew has a

100% rating

with Planned Parenthood. A liability in a Republican primary defined by a president who selected a vice president who attempted to

shut down

the government over Planned Parenthood funding.

Van Drew spoke at a

protest against

the Trump Administration’s pursuit of seismic testing, expressing his disappointment that Trump would support the testing.

Van Drew’s decades as a Democrat also provide plenty of damaging soundbites and quotations about the Democratic party for opponents to weaponize. We’re happy to

some

here

Van Drew’s position on impeachment doesn’t mean he is an ally of President Trump

The Daily Beast

reports

that prior to Van Drew’s party switch he was “obsessively Anti-Trump” and even called Trump “crazy.”

Van Drew

endorsed

Cory Booker for President in the 2020 election (something David Richter has already noted in his attacks as well).

General Election Issues

If Van Drew is able to win the Republican nomination, he enters the general election with serious vulnerabilities. His own internal general election polling from December 7-10 includes several data points that demonstrate the difficulty he will face competing in a general election:

In a general election sample, only 31 percent of voters believe he should be re-elected. 48 percent want someone new.

President Trump has lost ground since winning NJ-02 by 4.6 points in 2016. In a general election sample his favorability is even and voters are split on whether he deserves to be re-elected.

In Summary

Congressman Van Drew tried to change his values because his own polling showed he completely alienated the Democratic base and was on track to lose his primary. Now, by switching parties, he has further motivated that base, tied himself entirely to President Trump, and will have to explain a voting record that is out of step with Republican primary voters in NJ-02. We wish him the best of luck and are confident that Democrats are in a strong position to win this seat in 2020.

source press release

Gerald W. Farrow, age 55 of National Park; Master Carpenter, Worked at Phillies Stadium

National Park – On January 2, 2020. Age 55. Beloved father of John Farrow (Sarah), Ashley Farrow, Taylor Farrow and Nicole Farrow. Cherished grand-pop of Mya and Zeppelin. Son of the late Gerald and Martha Farrow. Also survived by his girlfriend, Mary Blackman.

Gerald W. Farrow

Gerald was a graduate of Cinnaminson High School class of 1982. He was a master carpenter for Local Union 255 in Philadelphia. Gerald was a beloved Philadelphia Sports fan. He played baseball in college and continued with men’s softball. The Phillies were his heart and soul. Gerald worked in the Phillies Stadium for 10 years and cherished his Philly Family. Known to his bowling friends as Reverend because of his skill lanes.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Tuesday evening, January 7

from 6 to 8 PM and again on Wednesday morning, January 8

from 10 to 11 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, where his funeral service will be held at 11 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, 125 County House Road, P.O. Box 475, Blackwood, NJ 08012. Attention: Development Staff. Please memo, Gerald W. Farrow.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Gerald W. Farrow. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph:856-456-1142

GUEST OPINION: US assassination of Qassem Soleimani Adds Uncertainty to Unstable Region

Following the news (3 January 2020) that a US drone strike on Baghdad airport had killed General Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force;

Richard Thompson, Editorial Director at GlobalData, offers his view on the implications of this escalating conflict:

\”Suleimani’s killing increases fears of war in the region and of major disruption to regional oil supplies through military or cyber-attacks against oil facilities.

\”Unlike the short-term spike in oil prices that we saw after the attacks against Saudi oil facilities in 2019, this is likely to add a security-risk premium to oil prices for the foreseeable future.”

“Fears that Iranian reprisals will further destabilise the region and disrupt Middle East oil supplies saw oil prices jump about 4% following the news of Suleimani’s assassination.

“The assassination of Qassem Suleimani by the US is a major escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran in the Gulf and it adds considerable new uncertainty to an already unstable region.

“It is certain that Iran will strike back against US interests in the region and those of its allies. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described the killing as a criminal act and has promised retaliation. The question now is what will that retaliation look like and what will be the further consequences of that.

source Global Data

Francis L. Clancy, of Bellmawr age 60

Francis L. Clancy, on January 1, 2020, of Bellmawr. Age 60.

Beloved husband of Carolina (nee Reyes) for 34 years. Devoted father of Brian Clancy (Danyelle) and Sean Clancy. Loving Pop Pop of Conan Joseph. Loving son of Leona (nee Alsdorf) and the late Francis Clancy. Dear brother of Stella Clancy and William Clancy. Also survived by cousins.

There will be a viewing from 1 to 3pm Sunday afternoon at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Service and interment private.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Frank’s memory to Alzheimer’s Assoc., 3 Eves Dr., Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053 or to Camden County Animal Shelter, 125 County House Rd., Blackwood, NJ 08012.