(Video) NEWS 24 SPECIAL REPORT : THE HISTORY OF STEPHEN SWEENEY & GEORGE NORCROSS

In the video below NEWS 24 Special Report looks into the friendship between Stephen Sweeney and George Norcross that began when the two were youngsters.

Stephen M. Sweeney

(born June 11, 1959) is an American executive and

Democratic Party

politician who currently serves as the

President of the New Jersey Senate

. He has served in the

New Jersey Senate

since 2002, where he represents the

3rd Legislative District

. He has been the President of the New

Jersey Senate since January 12, 2010. A Union

Ironworker

by trade, Sweeney is frequently described as a political power broker in New Jersey politics.

George E. Norcross, III

(born March 16, 1956) is an American businessman and a

Democratic Party

organiser and power broker in

New Jersey

Norcross is executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage firm. He is chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper University Health Care System and

Cooper University Hospital

both in

Camden, New Jersey

, and has served as a trustee since 1990. He led the effort to create the

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

and to partner with

MD Anderson Cancer Center

to create the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center, which opened in 2013.

[1]

Norcross has been a prominent political leader in New Jersey for more than 30 years, since before he became chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee in 1989, a position he held until 1993. For many years, he has been named one of the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey by the website

PolitickerNJ.com

[2]

[3]

From 2014 through 2019,

[4]

he was named one of New Jersey\’s most powerful people by NJBiz.com.

[5]

He is regarded as New Jersey\’s most powerful unelected leader.

[6]

Norcross is a member of the

Democratic National Committee

. He also belongs to

Mar-a-Lago

, the club owned by United States President

Donald Trump

[7]

source Wikipedia

******

SENATE, No. 2173 with Senate Floor Amendments(Proposed by Senator WEINBERG)

ADOPTED: JANUARY 9, 2020

The Senate floor amendments authorize an exemption from mandatory immunization requirements for a child or student who has a sibling who experienced a vaccine injury. To qualify for the exemption, the child or student will be required to submit to the Department of Health documentation of a final determination of vaccine injury issued through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration in the United States Department of Health and Human Services or a final judgment issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that includes a finding of vaccine injury. Documentation of the department’s approval of a sibling vaccine injury exemption will be submitted to the school or child care center by the child or student, or by the child or student’s parent or guardian, if the child or student is a minor.The amendments allow nonpublic child care centers, preschool programs, elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education to adopt a policy authorizing the admission of children and students who are not in full compliance with mandatory immunization requirements and who do not meet the requirements for a medical or sibling vaccine injury exemption, provided that the facility requires each child or student enrolled in the child care center, preschool program, school, or institution of higher education, or the child’s or student’s parent or guardian if the child or student is a minor, to sign an acknowledgement form, at the time of enrollment, that sets forth the facility’s policy with regard to admitting children or students who are not in full compliance with mandatory immunization requirements and indicates the immunization rates for the facility for the prior academic year. The child care center, preschool program, school, or institution of higher education will additionally be required to prominently post its policy concerning the admission of children or students who are not fully immunized and the facility’s immunization rates for the prior academic year at each entrance to the facility. The Commissioner of Health will be required to adopt rules and regulations concerning the format of acknowledgement forms used by nonpublic schools for this purpose.A child or student who is not in compliance with mandatory immunization requirements who seeks to attend the child care center, preschool program, school, or institution of higher education will be required to provide the facility with written notice of which specific immunization requirements the child or student is not in compliance with and sign a form that states that the child or student, or the child or student’s parent or guardian, as applicable, understands the risks and benefits of vaccination and acknowledges that the child or student may be excluded from attendance in the event of the occurrence of a communicable disease or condition or threat of a communicable disease or condition.The committee amendments restore language in the New Jersey Immunization Information System law that was deleted by prior amendment concerning who may access the system, and instead delete a provision of current law providing that an agency, organization, or other entity authorized to access information in the NJIIS may not use any report made by a healthcare provider in any punitive manner against the provider.

source

TRACK BILL

NAACP, Operating Engineers & Laborers Ask Lawmakers Postpone Vote on Liberty State Park Act

Jersey City

— The Enhance Liberty State Park Coalition today announced that the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and Laborers International Union of North America have all called for the Legislature to postpone voting on the “Liberty State Park Protection Act”

until the bill is amended in a manner that protects 99% of Liberty State Park forever, secures private investment to remediate contaminated portions of Caven Point and Liberty State Park and ensures millions of dollars in economic and charitable impact do not leave the state.

Letters from the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and Laborers International Union of North America calling on the Legislature to

postpone the vote

until the bill can be amended are attached. A copy of the Operators and Laborers’ letters was sent to every member of the State Senate and Assembly.

The Enhance Liberty State Park Coalition supports protecting forever 99% of Liberty State Park and making private investments to make the Park even more attractive for local residents. The remaining 1% of the park – currently a contaminated, difficult to reach area – can undergo an environmental clean-up and remain green space through light recreational use of three golf holes that will incorporate habitat and wildlife protections. The Coalition seeks to amend the legislation to provide the opportunity for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to consider a reuse and investment plan to improve the entirety of Liberty State Park.

13 Defendants Indicted in Connection with Monmouth County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Two Defendants Charged with Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

TRENTON, N.J. – Thirteen defendants have been indicted for their roles as members, associates, and suppliers of a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Monmouth County, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Damion Helmes, Dawn Stephens, Shantay Walker, Keith Logan, Shamar Dudley, Tonya Underwood, Elizabeth Conover, Curtis Jenkins, Ralph Lee, and Eric Yarbrough were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. Additionally, Helmes, Stephens, Walker, Logan, Dudley, Underwood, Conover, Jenkins, Lee, Yarbrough, Derrick Hayes, Dequan Copeland, and Cassius Williams were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Helmes was also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hayes was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between April 2019 and August 2019, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated primarily in municipalities throughout Monmouth County – including Cliffwood, Keansburg, Matawan, Keyport, Red Bank, Long Branch, Neptune, and Asbury Park, as well as Brick Township in Ocean County – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement officers learned that defendant Helmes obtained regular supplies of cocaine from defendants Hayes and Copeland. Helmes then re-distributed that cocaine, portions of which he converted into crack cocaine, for profit, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users throughout Monmouth County. During the wiretap portion of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous communications by and between the conspirators regarding such issues as cocaine quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.

The defendants were originally charged by complaint on Aug. 22, 2019. Dudley was previously charged by indictment.

The count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a ten-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The count charging Helmes with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count charging Helmes with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed on the drug trafficking crime. The felon in possession counts against Helmes and Hayes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Each firearms count also carries a maximum fine equal to the greatest of $250,000, twice the gross amount of pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victim of the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach, Brick, Howell, Toms River, Union Beach and Marlboro police departments, and the Monmouth County Sheriff\’s Office) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; the Red Bank Police Department, under the direction of Chief Darren McConnell; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Pigott; the Middletown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Craig Weber; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; and the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jason Roebuck, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Rutgers-Camden women win third straight game, 63-57

CAMDEN, N.J

(

Jan.

, 2020

) –

The

Rutgers University-Camden women’s

basketball team opened its game here Saturday with a seven-point run and went on to post a

63-57

victory over Rutgers University-Newark in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest.

The win was the third straight for the Scarlet Raptors, all coming in a six-day span during the week. They raised their record to 8-5 overall and 2-5 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Newark fell to 1-12 overall and 0-7 in the NJAC with its 11th straight loss.

Newark now leads the all-time series, 39-31.

Freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

scored the first five points of the game for the Scarlet Raptors and senior guard

Fatimah Williams

added the next field goal as Rutgers-Camden took a 7-0 lead. The Raptors led, 15-6, after on

e quarter and 30-18 at halftime, with Pitts notching all nine of her points during

the first 20 minutes and sophomore forward

Breanna Ettrick

scoring all seven of her points for the game.

The second-half production was carried by Williams, who notched 19 points to finish with a game-high 25, while junior guard

Shane Holmes

scored seven of her 10 points after the break. Holmes also finished with a game-high five assists, while sophomore forward

Tamara Johnson

added four assists.

Holmes added a career-high seven rebounds to lead the Scarlet Raptors, while Johnson, Williams and Pitts notched six apiece.

Rutgers-Newark received a big game from sophomore guard/forward Dorian Capurso, who notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Sophomore guard Syncere Lambert added nine points and senior center Comfort Akinbo added eight. Freshman forward Ebony Odom Barnes grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Scarlet Raiders hold a 42-38 edge off the boards.

Rutgers-Camden shot 21-for-56 from the floor (37.5 percent) and 18-for-29 (62.1) from the foul line. Rutgers-Newark was 19-for-50 (38.0) from the floor and 13-for-28 (46.4) from the line.

Newark made 21 turnovers and Camden had 15.

The Scarlet Raptors have another three-game week next week, beginning with a non-conference 7 p.m. game

Monday

at the University of Valley Forge.

SJ Gas Pipeline Nightmare Continues – Pinelands Commission Fail to Rescind Approvals

The Pinelands Commission was prepared to put a stay on the application of the South Jersey Gas Pipeline application, however they voted down a resolution Addressing the Remand of the South Jersey Gas Company Application Due to a Significant Change in Material Fact.

The final vote was 4-5.

“The nightmare continues at the Pinelands. By voting down even this weak resolution, it blocks the commission from taking final action on the SJ Gas pipeline. This means the application for the SJ Gas Pipeline still stands. This is one of the most shameful episodes that the Pinelands Commission has ever done. The BPU approval is based on the Pineland’s approval so as long as the Pinelands Commission doesn’t rescind their approval, the BPU approval still stands. Our concern is that the SJ Gas proposal could come back,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“What the Pinelands Commission did today was the worst thing that has ever been done in the Pinelands, it goes against the CMP and the AG’s letter vacating the approval of the SJ Gas. It shows the Chris Christie Pinelands Commission is pro gas pipelines.”

South Jersey Gas plans were to build a pipeline that would go through the southern part of the Pinelands to connect into the B.L. England plant. Now that B.L. England will not be re-opened, the company continues to pursue the pipeline claiming it will improve system resiliency. In May, the Attorney General asked the Appellate Court to remand the South Jersey Gas pipeline case,

Docket No. A-3310-16

, back to the Pinelands Commission. The SJ Gas pipeline in the Pinelands was originally intended to repower the B.L. England plant. Owners of B.L. England have now closed the plant permanently, eliminating any need for the pipeline.

“We have been trying to get the Commission to rescind their approval since March, and now they sided with SJ Gas over the Pinelands. The decision made today means SJ Gas would still be able to reapply or find another buyer for B.L England. The Commission vote also goes against Attorney General Grewal’s letter to remand SJ Gas pipeline case to undo the approvals. The Pineland Commission’s approval for the SJ Gas pipeline should be revoked with prejudice because it is in violation of the CMP. Instead the most shameful episode of the Pinelands Commission is continuing. Instead of protecting the Pinelands, the commission is giving another chance for this unnecessary and unneeded fossil fuel project to be built,”

said Tittel.

“The Attorney General has already said that the SJ Gas pipeline does not meet the criteria for the Pinelands approval and has asked the Appellate Court to remand the South Jersey Gas pipeline case back to the Pinelands Commission for further action. The NJ Sierra Club also won our motion to remand the Pinelands Commission to reconsider its approval on SJ Gas. Enough is enough.”

Last spring, Governor Murphy announced that he will appoint Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Coffey to the Pineland Commission. Jessica Sanchez will be replacing Gary Quinn and Jennifer Coffey will be replacing Bob Barr. Murphy has also re-nominated Ed Lloyd as Commissioner. Governor Murphy also appointed Rick Prickett as the new chair of the Pinelands Commission.

“On the 6

Anniversary of the original denial of the SJ Gas application by the Pinelands Commission, what they did today was disgraceful. Six years ago, the Pinelands Commission denied the application, then Governor Christie stacked the commission with his appointees who are still running it. They want to turn the Pinelands into the Pipelands. We need Governor Murphy to veto the minutes of today’s Commission meeting so that this outrageous act did not happen and so that we can get a denial on this terrible project. It is better to have no resolution than a voted down resolution because then we can still work on rescinding the approval,”

said Tittel.

“The Governor also needs to fight to get his nomination through and hold the Senate President accountable and get these nominations approved.”

The Pinelands is the largest open space on the eastern seaboard and recognized for its biodiversity by the United Nations. The New Jersey Sierra Club is currently suing the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Pinelands Commission on their approval of the SRL pipeline. The New Jersey Sierra Club also filed with Pinelands Preservation Alliance requesting a motion for a stay by the Board of Public Utilities and the Pinelands Commission on the Southern Reliability Link Pipeline.

“Today, instead of protecting the Pinelands Protection Act, the commission turned into the Pinelands Permissive Act. When the Pinelands Act was passed forty years ago, one of the major reasons was to prevent pipelines coming through to connect offshore oil to refineries in south Jersey. The purpose of this pipeline was to build a natural gas plant in Cape May, now that purpose is hot air. The SJG pipeline would not only destroy the Pinelands but also impact critical drinking water for millions of people,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“Today’s meeting shows that it is more important than ever to push Governor Murphy appointees for the Pinelands Commission through. We need people who will protect our environment and protect the Pinelands.”

Link to Pinelands Commission Meeting Live Stream:

https://www.nj.gov/pinelands/home/meetings/live/#1

NIAAA Study: Alcohol-related deaths increasing in the United States

An analysis of U.S. death certificate data by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National

Institutes of Health, found that nearly 1 million people died from alcohol-related causes between 1999 and 2017. The number of death certificates mentioning alcohol more than doubled from 35,914 in 1999 to 72,558 in 2017, the year in which alcohol played a role in 2.6% of all deaths in the United States. The increase in alcohol-related deaths is consistent with reports of increases in alcohol consumption and alcohol-involved emergency department visits and hospitalizations during the same period. The new findings are reported online in the journal

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

“Alcohol is not a benign substance and there are many ways it can contribute to mortality,” said NIAAA Director Dr. George F. Koob. “The current findings suggest that alcohol-related deaths involving injuries, overdoses, and chronic diseases are increasing across a wide swath of the population. The report is a wakeup call to the growing threat alcohol poses to public health.”

In the new study, Aaron White, Ph.D., senior scientific advisor to the NIAAA director, and colleagues analyzed data from all U.S. death certificates filed from 1999 to 2017. A death was identified as alcohol-related if an alcohol-induced cause was listed as the underlying cause or as a contributing cause of death. The researchers found that, in 2017, nearly half of alcohol-related deaths resulted from liver disease (31%; 22,245) or overdoses on alcohol alone or with other drugs (18%; 12,954). People aged 45-74 had the highest rates of deaths related to alcohol, but the biggest increases over time were among people age 25-34. High rates among middle-aged adults are consistent with recent reports of increases in “deaths of despair,” generally defined as deaths related to overdoses, alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, and suicides, primarily among non-Hispanic whites. However, the authors report that, by the end of the study period, alcohol-related deaths were increasing among people in almost all age and racial and ethnic group.

As with increases in alcohol consumption and related medical emergencies, rates of death involving alcohol increased more for women (85%) than men (35%) over the study period, further narrowing once large differences in alcohol use and harms between males and females. The findings come at a time of growing evidence that even one drink per day of alcohol can contribute to an increase in the risk of breast cancer for women. Women also appear to be at a greater risk than men for alcohol-related cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, alcohol use disorder, and other consequences.

“Alcohol is a growing women’s health issue,” said Dr. Koob. “The rapid increase in deaths involving alcohol among women is troubling and parallels the increases in alcohol consumption among women over the past few decades.”

The authors note that previous studies have shown that the role of alcohol in deaths is vastly underreported. Since the present study examined death certificates only, the actual number of alcohol-related deaths in 2017 may far exceed the 72,558 determined by the authors.

“Taken together,” said Dr. Koob, “the findings of this study and others suggests that alcohol-related harms are increasing at multiple levels – from ED visits and hospitalizations to deaths. We know that the contribution of alcohol often fails to make it onto death certificates. Better surveillance of alcohol involvement in mortality is essential in order to better understand and address the impact of alcohol on public health.”

About the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is the primary U.S. agency for conducting and supporting research on the causes, consequences, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder. NIAAA also disseminates research findings to general, professional, and academic audiences. Additional alcohol research information and publications are available at

www.niaaa.nih.gov

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

NIH, the nation\’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit

www.nih.gov

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health

Reference

Aaron White, PhD, I-Jen P. Castle, PhD, Ralph Hingson, ScD, Patricia Powell, PhD. Using death certificates to explore changes in alcohol-related mortality in the United States, 1999–2017

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Published online January 8, 2020.

Murphy Signs Bill That Bans Shark Fins

Yesterday, Murphy signed S2905 (Singleton), which prohibits certain possession, sale, trade, distribution, or offering for sale of shark fins.

“The shark population has been decimated. This legislation will go a long way toward helping protect them in New Jersey. Shark finning has led to the overfishing and overexploitation of shark species. Since shark fin soup is a delicacy, the fins are sold at high prices resulting in tens of millions of sharks being killed every year. This has led to a dramatic decrease in the shark population with some species like the smooth hammerhead dropping a staggering 99% since 1972. When sharks are removed from an ecosystem, it triggers a collapse in the entire food web and can lead to problems with our own marine food sources,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This law will help end the practice of shark finning that endangers the species.”

A person who violates the bill’s prohibitions against the possession, sale, trade, distribution, or offer for sale of shark fins is subject: (1) for a first offense, to a civil administrative penalty of not less than $5,000 or more than $15,000; (2) for a second offense, to a civil administrative penalty of not less than $15,000 or more than $35,000; and (3) for a third or subsequent offense, to a civil administrative penalty of not less than $35,000 or more than $55,000, or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.

“By signing this bill, Governor Murphy is standing up to protect the shark population. The harvesting of shark fins is senseless slaughter. The fins are removed from the sharks while they are still alive, and then the sharks are left to die. This legislation is necessary because the practice of shark finning is brutal and unnecessary causing a rapid decline of shark species, which we may see go extinct unless we move to protect them. No one needs shark fins except sharks. This law will help preserve hundreds of ecologically important shark species and stop them from being slaughtered for soup,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety

Editor\’s Note

: Former Gloucester City Police Office John Driscoll shares his personal thoughts below about his battle with PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety. He included some suggestions on what he did to cope with these common problems. According to the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will develop PTSD, many of which are not under that person\’s control. For example, if you were directly exposed to trauma or are injured, you are more likely to develop PTSD.

*****

(olive-wolverine-471793.hostingersite.com)(January 10, 2020)–My name is John Driscoll and I suffer from depression and anxiety as a result of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Although, people who suffer from depression, anxiety or any number of mental illnesses do not always require a starting point or trauma mine did.

Recently, after, my community experienced a great loss, I contemplated sharing my story including what initiated my disorder, how I was diagnosed, and how I am impacted by it. However, after some consideration, I thought it might be more helpful, at least to some, if I share my coping mechanisms, techniques and some information about treatments I have explored in hopes that they might help someone else.

image courtesy of https://www.freedomcounselingutah.com/

So, I have listed a few items below that may help you if you are suffering from a mental illness.

Care for yourself. If you are not taking care of yourself physically, attempt too. If you started to go to the gym- good for you. If you had a piece of fruit instead of a candy bar- good for you. If you walked around the block for the first time in a year- good for you. If it was the first time in two days that you got out of bed and took a shower-good for you. I know that if you suffer from depression it can be difficult to exercise. Even, getting out of bed can feel like you already have a great weight to lift, but, find the strength, and take that first step. Then, add to it, and slowly you will feel better. I still suffer but maintaining a healthy lifestyle reduces my depression.

Consider treatments like therapy, service animals, medication and/or peer groups. The sooner one gets help, usually, dictates the better the outcome. Also, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another, so, give different remedies a try if need be. Furthermore, you can get a bad doctor or therapist like you can get a bad mechanic, so, if one isn’t good for you, get another doctor.

Speak up when you are hurting. I was afraid to speak up because of the stigma I thought that would be placed upon me. And, I thought a police officer can’t ask for help. I thought it was a sign of weakness, or that I would lose my job, but I was wrong. If I had received help when I was starting to deteriorate, I may have never gotten to my breaking point.

Feel no shame about your condition. You are not to blame. You are not weak. You have made it this far despite your medical challenges.

Know that if you were the best mechanic before you knew your diagnosis, or before your peers knew your diagnosis you are still the best mechanic. Don’t let someone take that from you. I cannot tell you how many times someone attempted to invalidate something I did or said because they, now, know I have PTSD. PTSD doesn’t mean I am no longer a good father or husband.

Apologize if you wronged someone. Your mental illness does not give you the right to treat others poorly. If once, you apologized to them, and they can’t or won’t forgive you then move on. Only apologize once. There is no living in the past.

Forgive, if you can, and you will feel better/lighter.

Avoid overindulgence in drugs and/or alcohol. Consider avoiding them altogether as they are not the solution and can easily exacerbate your mental health issues.

Rest if you are hit with a steep depression. It is okay to take a day off from work and spend it in bed. No one would want you coming into work with the flu, nor should they want you coming into work in a depressive state. You must realize that you are sick, however, you can’t spend too much time in bed. After you are rested from having the flu you get up and you must do the same after a depressive episode.

Utilize the tools available. I try to keep my mind occupied as it helps reduce the effects of my PTSD. Sometimes watching a movie or reading an article can do the trick, However, I feel I must be riveted in a book or movie for it to have any significant impact. One thing that has proven helpful in redirecting my mind when it is thrust into a negative episode is doing some activity that requires me to utilize my mental and physical abilities at the same time. So, try challenging yourself to do something that requires both. I find even a simple game of solitaire can help to redirect me. There are numerous apps that you can also utilize like Box Breathe.

Remember that the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” should be applied to all social media accounts like Facebook. Social media does not tell the entire story. That picture of a smiling man may be the façade of a man with many problems including depression.

Celebrate good moments.

Last, and most important is having a good support system if you have someone already- great, and if you don’t get someone, talk to a family member, friend, therapist, or join a peer group, but never give up.

John Driscoll,

Retired Police Officer

Some Quick References

American Addiction Centers. (2019, October 10).

Can Alcohol Induce Depression?

Retrieved from American Addiction Centers: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/depression

Greenberg, M. (2017, April 2).

Stuck in Negative Thinking? It Could Be Your Brain

. Retrieved from Psycology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201704/stuck-in-negative-thinking-it-could-be-your-brain

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017, September 27).

Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms

. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

NJ\’s GDP Growth Jumps in Third Quarter

New Jersey\’s real GDP growth made a major turnaround in the third quarter of 2019, expanding 2.3% from Q2, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

According to NJBIA Director of Economic Policy Research Nicole Sandelier, New Jersey\’s growth rate led the region in Q3 after falling behind the area\’s seven states over the first half of 2019. However, New Jersey\’s average growth of 1.6% in the first three quarters of 2019 is less than the national average of 2.4% for the first three quarters of 2019.

See NJBIA\’s updated infographic

here

New Jersey\’s 2.3% growth in real GDP beat the national average of 2.1% and was tied with several other states for the 15th highest growth rate in the nation.

\”This is good news for the state\’s economy,\” Sandelier said. \”After two quarters of lackluster growth, this jump in economic output will help put New Jersey back in the middle of the pack for the year.\”

Fourth quarter GDP growth statistics are scheduled to be released on April 7.

\”The numbers indicate New Jersey businesses are still able to innovate and overcome the challenges of operating in a high-cost state,\” Sandelier said.

Looking at the region, Delaware experienced the largest percentage change in real GDP in Q1 2019, but experienced no growth in Q3. New York\’s GDP also contracted, registering 0.5% growth in Q3, down from 3.8% growth in Q1. Massachusetts, where the total GDP historically has been lower than in New Jersey, produced 2.2% growth in real GDP. The Bay State now has a total GDP that is comparable with the Garden State\’s.

\”Robust economic growth can help New Jersey\’s finances in the short term, which is important when you consider that New Jersey\’s

state expenses and debt are outpacing revenues

,\” Sandelier said.

According to the BEA, real GDP increased in 49 states and the District of Columbia in the third quarter of 2019. The percentage change in real GDP in the third quarter ranged from 4% in Texas to 0% in Delaware.

Nondurable goods manufacturing; retail trade; and professional, scientific, and technical services were the leading contributors to the increase in real GDP nationally.

· Nondurable goods manufacturing increased 10.1% for the nation and contributed to growth in all 50 states. This industry was the leading contributor to growth in Texas, the fastest growing state.

· Retail trade increased 8.2% for the nation and contributed to growth in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

· Professional, scientific, and technical services increased 5.6% for the nation and contributed to growth in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

In contrast, finance and insurance decreased 5.3% for the nation, subtracting from growth in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This industry was the leading contributor to slow growth in New York and in Delaware – the slowest growing state.

Randolph Inspection Station Temporarily Closed January 13

(

TRENTON) – The Randolph Inspection Station will be temporarily closed on Monday, January 13, 2020, due to construction work being performed at the site. The station is expected to reopen the following day on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, but please check the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) website,

njmvc.gov

, before heading to the Randolph station on Tuesday.

Alternative inspection stations that will be operational on Monday, January 13, 2020, include:

Washington

114 Route 31 North

(Enter on Pershing Avenue)

Washington, NJ 07882

Newton

90 Moran St.

Newton, NJ 07860

Wayne

481 Route 46 West

Wayne, New Jersey 07470

The MVC reminds customers to always check our website before visiting a local office and to take advantage of driver license renewal and other online services, such as vehicle registration renewals, driver abstract requests, and surcharge and restoration payments.

For more about the ongoing positive changes at the MVC, visit

njmvc.gov

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Visit us at

.njmvc.gov

New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer