New Jersey Nightly News; 10/27/1982

Do. Good evening. I'm can't mount a hand and I'm relying towards a new campaign poll shows Frank Lautenberg nearly even with Millicent Fenwick in New Jersey Senate rice and hundreds of unemployed union members staged a jobs protest at the State House today. And correspondent Michael Aron continues his look at critical issues in this year's Senate race. We'll hear how candidates stand on foreign policy questions. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Frank Lautenberg is closing the gap between himself and Republican opponent Millicent Fenwick. This time the poll is not Lautenberg own but one conducted and released today by the record of Hackensack. The results of which show the battle has turned into nearly an even race. Lautenberg

campaign released a poll Monday showing him trailing by 6 percentage points. Among the ten hundred sixty one people randomly surveyed in the wreck and record poll. Forty two percent said they would vote for or were leaning toward Fenwick and 41 percent said they were for Lautenberg or leaning toward him. Another 17 percent said they were undecided and Eagleton poll conducted in September showed Mr. Lautenberg trailing Mrs. Fenwick by 18 percentage points. Another Eagleton poll is scheduled to be released Friday. And today a spokesman said he expects the results will also show the gap between the candidates has narrowed considerably and it. From the New York Times meant still more good news for Lautenberg today but Fenwick insisted that neither that endorsement nor the Bergen Record were serious blows to her campaign. Sandra King caught up with both candidates during campaign stops in Essex County. Frank Lautenberg has been saying all along that he'd close the gap between him and Fenwick byelection day.

And according to him the Bergen Record shows he was right. It was supposed to be but. Fenwick wasn't buying those record numbers. Sheehan says she's still ahead. And what about the New York Times which this morning gave its nod to Lautenberg papers. Got to expect that. People. Have. Reason to suspect the I'm sorry doesn't kill me. And when we asked for her appraisal of last night's debate I thought I was mad. And how did Lautenberg compare.

This is Frederick. Take this campaign. But back on the issues Fenwick yesterday said that public school teachers who are self-proclaimed homosexuals should not necessarily have job security and better today or be similarly anybody should be anything. And speaking of competence Lautenberg says he's best suited for the Senate. He cites the record poll and the times indorsement as proof. So the front runner may have suffered some setbacks her opponent may have picked up steam. All that with just six days to go. The Newark imes on her game. Last night's debate between Fenwick and Lautenberg was the most heated of the Senate campaign so far has the story. You could almost feel the temperature rise in the stock in state college theater as Republican Millicent

Fenwick and Democrat Frank Lautenberg engaged in confrontation and debate. In his opening remarks Lautenberg accused Fenwick of talking one way and voting another. My opponent tells us we must stop mindless spending. Yet Mrs. Fenwick voted for a budget that produced a deficit of over 100 billion dollars the largest peacetime deficit ever. Then she sponsored a radical change in our Constitution to mandate balanced budgets. Fenwick said Lautenberg didn't understand the workings of Congress and she had this question for voters. Who speaks for New Jersey. I wish to bring spending under control. I voted for the balanced budget amendment. And I support tax cuts for working people. My opponent favors more government spending. He's against the amendment to balance the budget and he favors a tax increase. But working people. The debate was sponsored by the New Jersey League of Women Voters for the first time the candidates were allowed to question each other. Fenwick used the occasion to proclaim her support for the death penalty

and asked her Democratic opponent how he would have voted on the 1981 budget. Lautenberg called the death penalty barbaric and said he didn't want to get into hypothetical alternatives about the budget. Mrs. Fenwick said Lautenberg didn't answer the question. Voters in nine states including New Jersey are deciding nuclear freeze questions that call for a limit on atomic weapons. He's a member of the audience wanted to know how the candidates would act in the Senate to implement a freeze if it's approved by voters. I have been endorsed by the PAC group although I don't take their money. But the point that you have to do is to get in touch with the people who are sponsoring the bill in the Senate and see what kind of consensus we can build. I've got to stop saying I mean that Mr. NOT a member. I moved quickly to translate that referendum which we see sweeping our country into legislation that says stop now

start talking. Start reducing the number of arms on a nuclear missiles on a verifiable basis. The televised debate was the last opportunity for voters statewide to compare the candidates. By this time next week either Lautenberg or Fenwick will be New Jersey's next U.S. senator at Stockton State College. I'm Larry stupid. And the latest campaign spending reports show that Mr. Lautenberg is outspending Mrs. Fenwick by about two to one. Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed Lautenberg spend one point eight million dollars from July 1st through October 13th compared with eight hundred seventy six thousand dollars for Fenwick. The report also shows that both candidates dipped into their personal fund for substantial funds during the final two weeks of the campaign. About three hundred and fifteen members from various New Jersey labor unions rallied at the State House today. Electrical workers auto workers teachers and members of the textile industry joined in the demonstration they protested Reaganomics and complained

about rude treatment at unemployment centers as a report. It was a rally for jobs a demand for a change in economic policy. A cry for tax relief. The rally began in the assembly chamber and then moved to a Trenton unemployment office. Demonstrators rallied here today in hopes of influencing voters at the polls on Tuesday. When you examine the speech making the rhetoric and the chanting that went on throughout the two hours one lady said it best for the Labor cause her name was Lydia De Faria and she's an unemployed auto worker from Linden Faria was laid off 11 months ago from GM Linden plant week. You know this isn't even. Just a job.

It was. OK. And. You know. You see this. Thing. Thank.

You. Meanwhile a group in Jersey City is staging an unusual kind of no jobs protest tonight. They've set up a tent city much like those of the Depression days. They're staging this scene in protest of the growing number of poor and unemployed people across the nation. A spokesperson for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now or ACORN says about 20 people will camp out tonight. The group chose the site because a housing project was to have been built there but because of federal budget cutbacks the project will not be carried out. And two girls in Addison and an elderly couple in Raritan township died today when their homes burst into flames. The two Edison girls age 6 and 16 were trapped inside the burning house. Fire officials believe the smoky blaze started in the kitchen when a toaster oven ignited. There was no smoke detector in the house. Four other family members were hospitalized including a 7 year old boy who is listed in critical condition. Another fire in Raritan township claimed the lives of an elderly couple. Fire officials say when they arrived at the scene the house was engulfed in flames a half hour later firemen entered and found the two bodies in separate rooms.

Officials believe that blaze was caused by an electrical fire in a portable heater. And Rolanda a private abortion clinic in Cherry Hill was also damaged by fire early this morning. No one was reported injured and police say the fire which appeared to be arson started when a flammable liquid was ignited inside the Cherry Hill women's center. The center is located in an office building on Route 38 and according to police has not been the target of any previous protests or demonstrations. Police say a light colored automobile was seen leaving the clinic shortly before the fire was reported at three o'clock this morning. The mayor of Vineland under pressure from civic groups to resign said today he won't give up his office. Vineland residents have been complaining about constant bickering between the mayor and the City Council. Dan Hobson reports. The feud between vine of Mayor Patrick fear really of three of the five city council members has been going strong for two years now. The city hasn't had a public safety director during that time because the council of Mayors can't agree on anyone. But they haven't even been able to

agree on what kind of trees to plant in the shopping district or what color of green to paint the street light poles. I just think they're acting like a bunch of kids. And I think they should just try to get along and get along with them and know they're going to go back and forth. I think he should resign you know to get the city going to get things reached a peak last month when the Council filed a lawsuit against the mayor when he refused to give them access to the city electric companys billing and personnel records. Several city groups sent letters begging them to start working together. Thirty eight of the city's real estate agents signed a petition saying if the problems didn't end they do everything they could to keep the mayor and council from being re-elected. Realtors say a number of businesses and industries have decided not to come to violence because of the feuding city government. We're really whatever our personal interests are we're like fingers on the same hand. And if we don't all work together the hand is going to wither scrawny said neither branch of

government has been willing to compromise on anything as a result of all this rumor spread that Mayor fear really would resign today. He announced he'd stay in office to prevent his city council rivals from taking control of the executive branch of government. But he admitted there's not much chance the situation will improve when you call special meetings of the Council for specific purposes and three people boycott them. How can you possibly get along. It's been a standard procedure that if I say it's daytime three of the members of council will say it's not just fear really says the dispute started when he beat archrival city council president Carlo Constantino in a mayoral election. Constantino refused to talk to us. The mayor said today he's decided not to resign for the good of the city. But the frustrated townspeople are saying for the good of the city something has to change. This point though it doesn't appear anything will at least not before the 1994 election in violence. I'm Dan Hodgson. And now here's a look at the weather forecast clear and seasonably cool

tonight lows in the mid to upper 40s. Tomorrow it will be a pleasant fall day with sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s and the outlook for Friday fair. And mild. Right now. Tonight correspondent Michael Aron continues his issue conversations with United States Senate

candidates Millicent Fenwick and Frank Lautenberg. The topic tonight Foreign Affairs. Thanks Rolonda Millicent Fenwick is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has said that if elected she would like to sit on the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate. Frank Lautenberg says he's more interested in sitting on Senate committees where he could be of direct use to New Jersey. But he too has an international perspective based on his relationship with the state of Israel. We begin tonight segment by asking the candidates what sanctions if any they would deem appropriate if the Soviet Union were suddenly to invade Poland. I don't know that sanctions are the only solution to that problem I don't know what the term rather solutions are available. It needs to have you. But I would say this that any time that you get under sanctions you have to make sure that you have your allies with you. And what happened is the sanction program may have been may have worked and would have achieved what the president I believe rather do cheer the State Farm that is to deprive the Soviet Union of a hard

time. But instead as soon as we got half our trading partners our allies our best friends supposedly that we needed jumped into the breach and filled that economic need. So that made our program useless because not only did we prevent the Soviets from continuing with that but we also saw as further from our allies. I'm glad my opponent has joined me and I've been against on record against the sanctions for some time I'm happy to see takes that view I haven't seen. He has never said so in front of me and I have not seen it. If Poland by the Soviets. I certainly don't think that there would be a. Military response. I don't think it is ready for that. I just think of the courageous and wonderful people

subjected to that kind of an invasion. Of course makes you think that any response would be appropriate. But just imagine you would hear what we're saying. We've seen several empire. March into Czechoslovakia and Hungary we've seen them much into Afghanistan. I have been on record as to my feelings concerning that country and I think I'm one of the two. Members of the House that have been attacked by name repeatedly in the Soviet press and in the Czech press. Let's move to the Middle East and let's talk about President Reagan's peace plan if if Yasser Arafat likes the plan and Menachem Begin doesn't like it. Why should American Jews support a plan plan the Reagan or the Reagan peace plan is only a basis for negotiation. I'm happy to say that my opponent I think and I share the same view of that I think the question of what plan or who is going to

be the prime minister of Israel. That's up to the Israeli people. We're not in any position and shouldn't run to be had to decide who's going to be the prime minister of a sovereign country. However great an ally that may be and there are very important allies in my record on and all these matters is perfectly clear that I have and do continue to support Israel because I think it's essential to the security of my country. President Reagan's peace where. Yes first Western land the Arabs have shown any interest in whatsoever. Why are you here for a cause. Because it was not realistic from the start. I don't think the Arabs have shown the right kind of support for what I think what the Arabs have done the Arab countries have done is use that as a springboard to get other things into the discussion and the negotiation is not going to work. That includes

discussion of Jerusalem. It's not as it's not a discussable thing as far as the Israelis are concerned. Peace be more accessible to somebody else. PRIME MINISTER I don't know. I will say this we have to give credit for what he did. There were very few leaders in the history of Israel short history. Have turned back to Sinai. Well they did to Egypt in exchange for peace. It took a very strong leadership and I am not going to admire the fact of the matter is it took that kind of strain to have a country together when there is so much opposition to it that was an issue that almost could have divided Israel practically down the middle because there were two very specific camps on that. I think it's possible to make peace with bacon but he needs a different kind of structure he needs a different kind of attention.

Let me ask you to state briefly your position on a few foreign policy issues. Is the administration being too friendly to either Taiwan or the People's Republic of China. I think that we do have to recognize the power and the strength of this in the Republic of China. And for too many years I believe we've kept Tehran alive. First it really isn't and I think that we have to continue to try to develop a relationship with my own child. We have a very difficult past. I don't think that we're being too friendly either. No I think we have to keep. A very careful eye on the whole thing. Do you favor continuing aid to the present government of El Salvador. I'd be very careful. Yes for Section 4 0 7 of the Constitution and program. Yes. You know of course what that is I know. It is the land reform program. And it is hardly backed by me

and the AFLCIO I may say among others. It would return land to the peasants who have been killing it. And need the compensation. Obviously we have to be sure that the money isn't going to be overcompensated to certain landowners the large holdings have been broken up we now come from more difficult holdings. And to. Do justice. I think if we're going to give any aid that's yes I would be prepared not enormous sums but to facilitate a carefully monitored aid in regard to 4 0 7 based on present government and some present conditions. I would not grant it now. Tomorrow night issues week continues with a look at the candidates views on a few key domestic issues not directly related to the economy. Can't. Thank you Michael. And Bill Perry will give you his sports report when we return. Perfect.

I want to go OK this is my check sports. The Devils lost again last night this time in Minnesota Bill. But first Jim Palmer and Sandy Colfax to watch listen last night when I told you about Steve Young Award I said Tom Seaver had wanted three times Palmer and Co faxed to now it's called with an unprecedented flood. Young I had to clear that up for you. Now hockey the Devils three straight losses last night trailing 1 Nothing first period. This is Curt Giles to Steve Payne to Tim Young to pain two to nothing Minnesota at 10 on one of the second period Chico Resch the Devils goalie Now watch the referee while you have cut off New Jerseys Aaron Broughton that set up Minnesota's two on one. But with 12 seconds left in the second period Hector Marino brought in two to one devils back in it brought in scoring high on the stick side here it is again

beating North Stars goalie. But 11 seconds later one second left in the period New Jersey's Calvin they can't clear and Minnesota's Dino cicerone Lee scores from Tom McCarthy three to one but in the third period. Gotta give him some credit the devils came back at 157 to make it three to two Bryant Ashton feeding Steve Tambellini and 3 to 3 at 3:55 the Devils waltz Hyatt on the my kitchen girl from you love that name devil's breakin and the kitchen. But just a minute and a half later Vahan a again with a defensive mistake you will see the 17 year veteran have his pass picked off Tom McCarthy scores make it 4 3 and an open net goal with one second left accounted for the 5 3 final so the Devils are now 3 4 and 3. They host the islanders tomorrow night back at the Meadowlands Arena the next time the nets suit up that will be for real the NBA season opener Friday night in Chicago last night the nets completed their exhibition schedule losing 1 0 5 1 0 2 to the NBA champs the L.A. Lakers after Buck Williams made it three to nothing right here with a three point play opening seconds.

Look at James Worthy the first pick in the NBA draft for L.A. then Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the feet to Magic Johnson L.A. with 12 straight points up 12 3 but a hot Darwyn Cooke brought the nets back right here straight away. And then Darwin from the corner he finished with 14 points. Here's another look at rugby from North Carolina it was pretty it was 52 all the half now will pick it up. Final minutes you will see worthy on the break feed the big guy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes it 94 90 then Kareem what 20 points with the sky hook. Do it makes it 96 90 then Otis Birdsong stuck a jumper for New Jersey 10 for August 96 92 after Jamal will set for L.A. Donald Dawkins who had 20 hits over Kareem 98 94 but L.A. worked a little magic to 15 left. Kareem with the assist Magic Johnson's three point play after box scored inside for the Nets and Otis outside Kareem scored for L.A. and this made it 1 0 3 1 100th the nets within three 38 seconds left. Dawkins off the foot's Walker mess with the slam birdsong then came up with the steel Buck Williams scored inside right here to make it one of

3 1 0 2 with seven seconds left. But the nets forgot to call timeout they had to give a Norm Nixon hit two free throws for a lie they want 1 5 1 0 2. Only an exhibition game but that was a super basketball game and that's for sports. OK I think I think I think that's our news for tonight I'm Kent not a hand and I'm reminded of how dare you. From all of us here in Jersey Nightly News have a good night. From New Jersey. News is broken you import from New Jersey New Jersey military history production of The New Jersey Nets word association with W in 30. Records.