Morning News Digest: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

BRYANT TRIAL
Former Sen. Wayne Bryant found guilty in corruption case

Former Sen. Wayne R. Bryant was found guilty today of selling his office as one of New Jersey's most influential lawmakers for a medical school job that padded his pension, in a case that also put on trial the secret political horse-trading of the state budget process. (Susan K. Livio, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/sen_wayne_bryant_found_guilty.html

After verdict, Christie calls Bryant 'disgrace'

TRENTON — Christopher Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, wasted no time and spared no invective in lashing into Wayne Bryant following the latter's conviction on federal corruption charges Tuesday. (Richard Pearsall, The Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081119/NEWS01/811190364&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Bryant verdict political fodder in Trenton

TRENTON - Just a few blocks from the gold-domed Statehouse yesterday, one of Trenton's most powerful figures was called "a disgrace," and his crimes were described as "disgusting." (Cynthia Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081119_Bryant_verdict_political_fodder_in_Trenton.html

At home, sorrow over Bryant's conviction

Yvette Loper has put her hands on the picture of her longtime state senator in the newspaper every morning the last few weeks and offered these words: "God, let good be done." (Matt Katz, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081119_At_home__sorrow_over_Bryant_s_conviction.html

CHRISTIE RESIGNATION
HIlls and hurdles on road to Trenton

It's only a matter of time before Christopher J. Christie quietly slips out of the Rodino Federal Building in Newark, hops on a white stallion, and begins his crusade to recapture the State House for the embattled New Jersey Republican Party. (Charles Stile, The Bergen Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/politics/Stile_Hills_and_hurdles_on_road_to_Trenton.html

STATE GOVERNMENT
Court rejects Corzine's bid to end N.J schools case

The state Supreme Court today rejected Gov. Jon Corzine's request to pull the plug on the long-running Abbott v. Burke court case, a case that has forced a succession of governors to steer billions of dollars in special state aid to Newark, Camden and 29 other needy communities. (Dunstan McNichol, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/njs_top_court_rejects_corzine.html

Corzine appoints new state environmental commisioner

Gov. Jon Corzine today apponted Mark Mauriello to head the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.  (The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/corzie_appoints_new_head_of_de.html

Redrawing NJ's map

New Jersey's densely populated coastline is in danger of becoming vastly altered because sea levels are rising — triggered by the world's glaciers melting at the fastest rate ever recorded, a leading glaciologist has concluded. (Jennifer H. Cunningham, The Herald-News)

http://hn.new.adqic.com/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=50444

ELECTION 2008
Final tally reveals Mallet won seat

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — In a race so close that it took two extra weeks to determine a winner, Democrat Amy Mallet has defeated Republican John Curley, giving Democrats a majority on the Monmouth County freeholder board for the first time in 23 years. (Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20081119/NEWS/811190356

FUTURE RACES
Potential Rumana challenger says Assembly might not be his vehicle for change

For the last couple weeks, Passaic County has buzzed with talk of Republican activist Joe Caruso mounting an Assembly primary bid to take down incumbent Scott Rumana (R-Wayne). (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/25563/potential-rumana-challenger-says-assembly-might-not-be-his-vehicle-change

Warren freeholder director launches 23rd District Assembly bid

Warren County Freeholder Director John DiMaio announced today that he is seeking the 23rd  District Assembly seat being vacated by Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington). (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/max/25542/warren-freeholder-director-launches-23rd-district-assembly-bid

Noto says she'll run again

For the moment, Cumberland County Clerk Gloria Noto is joined by three other county-wide Republican elected officials. In January, she will be alone. (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/25526/noto-says-shell-run-again

ESSEX COUNTY
Former police chief sues Fairfield for gender discrimination

The former police chief of Fairfield filed suit against the Essex County township today, alleging she was discriminated against as a woman and a lesbian and effectively driven from her job. (Guy Sterling, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/former_police_chief_sues_fairf.html

HUDSON COUNTY
Smith hears residents on issues

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith held his first "evening office hours" for constituents last night and at least one resident walked away a satisfied customer. (Jonathan Shapiro, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/bayonne/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1227083197126310.xml&coll=3

OTHER NEWS
Hamilton mayor stymied on hiring

HAMILTON -- Call it one of the many reasons why Mayor John Bencivengo, a former businessman, may miss the private sector. (Ryan Tracy, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1227083177128060.xml&coll=5

A 'green' objection to new power line

Public Service Electric and Gas Co.'s plans for a 45-mile power line through New Jersey would damage the sensitive Highlands region through which it would cut, several environmentalists and local officials said Tuesday. (Colleen O'Dea, The Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20081119/COMMUNITIES/811190410&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Jackson mayor resigns, effective immediately

JACKSON — Mayor Mark A. Seda announced today that he has resigned, effective immediately. (Keith Ruscitti, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20081118/NEWS/81118080

Solar company green to go

VINELAND - A North Jersey-based developer of solar energy technology has express interest in opening a factory that will produce solar panels within the city. (Jason Laday, Bridgeton News)

http://www.nj.com/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-3/122708222866120.xml&coll=10

Battle looms over voters deciding ex-mayor's salary

BOGOTA — A legal battle may be brewing over whether residents will be allowed to vote on paying former Mayor Leonard Nicolosi $110,000 as borough administrator and chief financial officer. (Joseph Ax, The Bergen Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/Battle_looms_over_voters_deciding_ex-mayors_salary.html

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.