May 14, 2024
Possible Future Housing Opportunity But For Who?
Farewell, Monmouth Mall, and say hello to Monmouth Square. On May 10, 2024, real estate developer Kushner officially began construction on an ambitious $500 million-plus project to revitalize the old Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, transforming it into a contemporary, open-air town center that will redefine the area. Once completed, Monmouth Square will feature 900,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a Whole Foods Market, a spacious public green, a network of pedestrian pathways, 1,000 residential units, and medical office space.
The land developer's latest project involves the demolition of about 600,000 square feet of retail space, reducing the retail area by 40%. The first department store to be demolished was Lord & Taylor, which closed in 2018 and then filed for bankruptcy protection. JC Penney, which closed its space in 2022 as part of its move to an online marketplace, will also be demolished. Whole Foods Market is set to take over the space currently occupied by Barnes & Noble, which will move to a new retail building in the town center. The remaining retailers, such as AMC Movie Theater, Macy's, and Boscov's, will continue to operate during construction. https://kushner.com/about/
Press Release - Press Release - Press Release
Attorney Ben Crump Responds to Actions of Florida Sheriff’s Deputy That Killed U.S. Airman Roger Fortson
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has released an additional statement following the release of body cam and FaceTime footage from the deadly shooting of Roger Fortson. Roger was a 23-year-old active-duty Senior Airman who was fatally shot six times by a Florida Sheriff’s Deputy on Friday, May 3. Attorney Crump has issued the following statement:
“There is no question that the officer acted with impulse and a lack of proper training when he shot and killed Roger within seconds of the door opening. When he opened his door and saw the sheriff’s deputy, Roger had his gun pointed to the ground with one hand and held his other hand up to signal he was not going to shoot. Only after Roger’s body was riddled with bullets did the officer instruct Roger to drop his gun. Even after he was shot, he intended to comply with the officer’s commands to drop his weapon, saying with his final breaths, “It’s over there. I don’t have it.”
“Roger was a special operations serviceman who had just returned from Kuwait. It is a harrowing tragedy that Roger dedicated his life to serving his country and defending our constitutional rights. In the end, his constitutional rights were violated, leading to his death.
“The Second Amendment afforded Roger the right to own a gun and yield it as protection when he was unsure who was on the other side of his door. It is clear that this officer needs to be investigated and held accountable for the execution of Roger. We will not rest until there is justice for Roger and his family.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas, including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
Winner Winner!
Hey there! Just wanted to remind you that a lucky lottery ticket sold at the Lukoil in Tinton Falls has just split the $1,800,840 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot! Two tickets matched all five numbers drawn in the Saturday, May 11 drawing, so each ticket is worth $900,420. The winning numbers * 13, 18, 24, 29 and 35, with the XTRA number being 3. Both stores that sold the winning tickets will receive a $2,000 bonus check. How exciting! https://www.njlottery.com/en-us/drawgames/jerseycash.html
Disinformation & the Fight for Racial Equity Conversation
Tonight At 7:00 P.M.
Media Release - Media Release - Media Release
Dr. Kelly Harris, local resident and senior staff director at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Africana Studies, will lead this year’s Conversations on Race: “Disinformation & the Fight for Racial Equity.” Prior to joining Penn, Dr. Harris led the Africana Studies department as the sole full-time faculty member at Seton Hall University in South Orange. He will explore:
The threats of disinformation
Disinformation’s origins in perpetuating racial stereotypes
How disinformation is dismantling progress in equity and inclusion
Following Dr. Harris’ presentation, attendees will participate in an interactive community dialogue and collaborate on strategies to confront the harmful effects of intentionally misleading, racially charged propaganda, particularly at this critical moment in public affairs. Hosted by the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, the focus for the annual Conversations on Race is an explorative conversation among attendees, facilitated by trained leaders, to learn one another’s perspectives and experiences and to work toward action steps. The goal is always the same: to bring residents together in a safe space for facilitated dialogues where we talk about race to increase understanding, build relationships across racial and cultural divides, and develop potential solutions and action steps to create a stronger community.WHERE: Congregation Beth El (222 Irvington Avenue, South Orange, N.J.)
WHEN: Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.NOTE: For additional reading to prepare in advance of this discussion:
“Critical disinformation studies: History, power, and politics” Kuo, R., & Marwick, A. (2021). Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review.
Photos and a recording will be available after the event.
ABOUT SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY COALITION ON RACE:
The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is a nationally recognized non-
profit focused on racial integration and inclusion in suburban communities for over 25 years.
Established in 1997 by a diverse group of concerned residents, government members, and
business owners, the organization is committed to building and preserving a unique, suburban
community that is free of racial segregation in all areas of community life, including housing
patterns, schools, leadership, and community involvement.
Learn more at www.communitycoalitiononrace.org.
Mr. Richard Slayman, Recipient of Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplant, Passes Away: A Landmark in Xenotransplantation
The hospital that performed the procedure has announced that the first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant passed away two months after the operation. Richard "Rick" Slayman, aged 62, had been battling end-stage kidney disease before undergoing the procedure in March. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) stated on Sunday that there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant. While transplants of other organs from genetically modified pigs have failed in the past, Mr. Slayman's operation was celebrated as a historic milestone.
In addition to kidney disease, Mr. Slayman also struggled with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In 2018, he underwent a human kidney transplant, which began to fail after five years. Following his pig kidney transplant on March 16, Mr. Slayman's doctors confirmed that he no longer required dialysis as the new organ appeared to be functioning well. "Mr. Slayman will forever be a symbol of hope for countless transplant patients worldwide, and we are profoundly grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation," MGH stated in a release.
Xenotransplantation involves the transfer of living cells, tissues, or organs from one species to another. MGH expressed deep sadness at his sudden passing and extended condolences to his family. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4n1l9g2wn9o
Press Release - Press Release - Press Release
Lawsuit Alleges Boater's Gross Negligence
In Fatal Jersey Shore Crash
The daughters of Norma Michaels, who tragically lost her life in a boat crash last summer, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the boater involved. The lawsuit alleges that the boater, Jeffrey Jastrzembski, was intoxicated and acted in a "grossly negligent" manner during the crash. According to Robert J. Mongeluzzi of the Philadelphia-based Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky law firm, who is representing the daughters in this lawsuit, the purpose of the legal action is to seek justice for Norma, hold the defendant accountable for his reckless behavior and raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and boating. https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/iwhfs/daughters-sue-boater-who-struck-mother-in-fatal-jersey-shore-crash?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81&user_email_md5=e90707a6228d470c252bb1bc33689a6b&lctg=6571e20423b29a937d012200
Per a Middletown Patch article written by Veronica Flesher on May 14, 2024, titled "Boater Was Drunk When He Killed Swimming Jersey Shore Woman, Lawsuit Says," "Michaels, 79, was swimming just off the dock of her Atlantic City townhouse near the Dorsett Avenue Bridge with a friend on Aug. 12, 2023. In the Intracoastal Waterway, now 54-year-old Jastrzembski of Atlantic City was driving his 20-foot Robalo vessel, which struck Michaels."
However, the article does not share if there were any environmental factors, such as a glare on the water, that may have obstructed Jastrzembski's vision. According to the lawsuit, "Jastrzembskisped the boat towards her before making a late, aggressive portside turn, causing the boat's outboard propeller to strike Michaels directly, delivering fatal injuries to her head, neck, torso, arms, and legs."
New Jersey residents have previously expressed concerns about the need to reduce the speed limit to 10 miles per hour in no-wake areas to ensure the safety of swimmers as well as better navigate the congestion of multiple boats in no-wake areas. https://www.njsendems.org/sarlo-calls-for-10-mph-speed-limit-for-night-boating/
Winning this case could potentially save lives in the future.
Pedestrian Delight: Safe Shopping and Entertainment for All
On Monday, May 13, Red Bank's Broad Street will convert into a wayfarers plaza, free from vehicular traffic until September 30. A section of Broad Street will be closed off to cars, creating an inviting space for outdoor dining, leisurely strolls, and window shopping. Additionally, live music events will take place on weekends, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. The area from Front Street south to White Street will be designated for pedestrian use, with protective barriers in place at each end. To learn more, please click Middletown Patch share here. https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/red-banks-broad-street-closed-all-cars-may-13-sept-30?utm_term=article-slot-1&utm_source=newsletter-daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81&user_email_md5=e90707a6228d470c252bb1bc33689a6b&lctg=6571e20423b29a937d012200
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