MORE PRESS REACTION TO TURNPIKE/PARKWAY SALE
Three more daily newspapers have joined media opposition to proposals to sell or lease the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

Courier-News of Bridgewater- “A for-profit company would certainly be motivated to raise tolls. And if the state builds too many protections against such hikes into terms of a sale or lease, then services are likely to be cut to compensate.”

Ocean County Observer of Toms River- “Can you imagine New Jersey politicians with an extra $30 billion to spread around? The potential for mischief would be unprecedented. The political hogs would be slopped three times a day, producing more pork than the Garden State has ever seen, or can afford.”

The Daily Journal of Vineland- “The state’s financial managers should not be allowed to bail themselves out of their self-made hole by selling off the public’s assets while they continue to waste your money.”

Already on record opposing this proposal are The Record of Bergen County and the Home News Tribune of Middlesex County.

RARITAN RIVER DREDGING TO BEGIN
A $4 million dredging of the Raritan River will begin in September as part of the long-held vision of bringing recreational boaters to the New Brunswick waterfront. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of October, is the first phase of the $7.5 million New Brunswick Landing project.

The Middlesex County Board of Freeholders awarded the dredging work to Disch Construction of Summit. The dredging to at least eight feet deep is designed to bring recreational boat enthusiasts to New Brunswick’s restaurants, theaters and shops. It will accommodate a new 24-slip floating dock.

VERIZON SEEKS TO BRING COMPETITION TO NJ CABLE TELEVISION
Verizon wants to offer new cable television service to consumers by providing competition to existing cable providers. At stake will be how Verizon will be able to seek local operating franchises. In the past, this has been a town-by-town process. However, a bill supported by Verizon is expected to be introduced by Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, D-Essex, that would create a single statewide franchise which will provide for quicker development of cable competition within the state.

COMMERCIAL OFFICE MARKET IS IMPROVING
The Sitar-Rutgers Regional Report for August reported that signs of a healthy commercial office market persist. The signs are:

The amount of available sublease space is slightly lower and holding steady. The total vacancy rate is slightly lower and remains stable. New absorption amounts are positive and significant. Rental rates are slightly higher and holding steady.

The report says that, at the conclusion of the first half of 2005, there were 3,572 office buildings in the central and northern New Jersey market, totaling over 210 million square feet of space.

RESTORATION OF SPRING LAKE’S WRECK POND TO BEGIN
The State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that work will begin in September on the next stage of restoration of Spring Lake Borough’s Wreck Pond. The pond has been the cause of most ocean beach closings in New Jersey in recent years.

Construction of a 300-foot extension of Wreck Pond’s outfall line will allow water discharged from the pond to be carried farther offshore, reducing the amount of pollutants that wash back onto nearby beaches.

ALLIANCE GUBERNATORIAL WHITE PAPER AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Alliance for Action “white paper” on key issues in the gubernatorial/assembly elections is now available online. Go Here to view.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Robert Epifano, founder and president of New Jersey-based Epic Management, Inc. has been named chairman of the Union Contractors Committee of the Associated General Contractors of America. He will represent union contractors nationwide in dealings with basic trade unions, government agencies and private sector groups. Epifano founded Epic Management of Piscataway in 1971, providing construction management and general contracting. He is past president of the Building Contractors Association of New Jersey and a current member of the Alliance for Action Board of Directors.

Peter E. Maricondo has been named Acting Chief Executive of the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation until a permanent replacement is found for John E. Spencer, who resigned. Maricondo has been serving as the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer. He formerly was vice president/controller of NUI Corp.

Kimberly Kersey has been named vice president of public affairs for the Manalapan offices of engineering firm Schoor DePalma.

ALLIANCE IN ACTION
The Alliance for Action Somerset County Chapter meeting will be held September 23, 2005, 8:15 am, at the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. Speakers will include: Dennis Bone, President, Verizon New Jersey; Richard Roberts, Chief Planner Capital Planning Programs, NJ Transit; and Joseph Fiordaliso, Chief of Staff, NJ Department of Transportation. Go Here to register.

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