Local Beat is the NJ News Commons’ weekly roundup of the best reporting by community news sources.
THE PERSISTENCE OF DONALD TRUMP IN ATLANTIC CITY
Bill Sprouse of Route 40 published this piece on Donald Trump’s legacy in Atlantic City – which now seems to be mostly scratched, smashed and painted over from anywhere it might have previously appeared. The piece looks into efforts by local historian Levi Fox to set up a Trump Museum and help the city bring in some revenue from its connection to the President. It also looks at the intravenous drug paraphernalia outside the Taj Mahal human resources office and how that dovetails with Trump’s approach to the opioid crisis.
HUNDREDS RALLY IN MORRISTOWN, MONTCLAIR TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH CHARLOTTESVILLE
With candles and conch shells, hundreds gathered on the Morristown Green and preached about healing the hatred that marched on Charlottesville last weekend. Kevin Coughlin of Morristown Green says the mayor of Morristown spoke out and called on Washington to “Stop the bull—-!” Meanwhile, Mimi Michalski of Baristanet says an estimated 400-500 people gathered in Brookdale Park in Montclair for a candlelight vigil.
WESTFIELD TO BEGIN CONDUCTING TOWN-WIDE PROPERTY REVALUATION
Westfield officials have known since last November that the town, along with many others, might soon be required to conduct a revaluation of the properties within its boundaries for taxation purposes. Jackie Lieberman of TAPinto Westfield says the process is finally set to begin this fall.
AS THEATER DEMOLITION PROGRESSES, NEW BRUNSWICK LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE
Jack Murtha of TAPinto New Brunswick tells the story of the ongoing demolition of two iconic downtown theaters in New Brunswick. Murtha looks at the signs of a city in transition and explores what the redevelopment project promises for the future.
LEGAL DISPUTE OVER HEALTH BENEFITS LEAVES NEWARK FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE IN LIMBO
A legal dispute over whether or not the State Health Benefits Program provides the same coverage required in union contracts has left active and retired firefighters and police without any coverage. Mark Bonamo of TAPinto Newark says until the dispute is resolved, the question of whether they actually have health insurance at all remains uncertain at best.
DOWNTOWN RAHWAY HOTEL, RETAIL SPACE GOES FOR $5 MILLION
The hotel and commercial space on the first four floors Sky View at Rahway’s Carriage City Plaza sold for $5 million earlier this year. Mark Hrywna of Rahway Rising says Mayor Samson Steinman announced that the hotel and retail portion of the complex was acquired by Bridgeton Holdings, which plans to open Watt Hotel in September with designs inspired by Nicola Tesla.