NJN News; Wednesday, May 19, 1993 6PM

in Yes it is. I hear myself now. Major funding for NJN News is provided by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. First Fidelity Bank, PSENG, and New Jersey Bell, a Bell Atlantic company.

This is NJN News with Kent Manaheim, Steve Heismith, and Pat Scanlon with Sports. Good evening. Steve has the night off. I'm Larry Stoopnagle. New Jersey's Chief Justice has ordered an investigation into how the judicial system handled the case of an alleged child killer with an extensive criminal history. Conrad Jeffrey is accused of murdering a seven-year-old pesea girl two weeks ago. And as Trish de Gasparis reports 20 years ago, Jeffrey confessed to killing a young mother of three. Today, Sergeant Anthony Moore is a 31-year-old army recruiter who's been all over the world served in the Gulf War. But in 1974, he was a boy whose mother was murdered. It hurts more that I'm older. I lost her when I was a boy, but I have to deal with it now that I'm a man.

What Sergeant Moore has had to deal with is the sadistic killing of his mother, Albert Adorsi. He said even as a boy, he had to know the details. She was stabbed 52 times. Detectives told Moore and his two sisters that the killer tried to stab out their mother's eyes so he couldn't be identified. Moore vividly remembers the last time he saw his mother. He came off from school and I had on a blue jacket and I was making some soup that day. I remember because I burnt the jacket over the stove. It was a plastic jacket and it got burnt over the stove. And Moore said she was gone somewhere and said, Mom, can we go? I said, no, you can't go. Y'all go ahead and you guys go ahead and eat. I said, man, we want to go. You didn't go with her. She went downstairs and she came back upstairs saying, I'm leaving guys. And I was the last time we saw her. The next day, Conrad Jeffrey and unemployed laborer confessed to the murder. Albert Adorsi was just two blocks from home when she was walking down busy Broad Street during the late afternoon.

Conrad Jeffrey probably abducted her right about here. And then according to his confession, he took her down to this small side street and into the house where he lived. Last week, Jeffrey was charged with the abduction rape and murder of seven-year-old Davina Janau. Police say Jeffrey took her to his rooming house just two blocks away. This shouldn't have happened. This shouldn't have happened. I saw the little girl's picture. It hurts me that it was a little girl. Even if it was another human being period, it hurts that she lost her life by the same guy that kept my mom. And it could have been avoided with the system. It would have worked the first time. Jeffrey was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial for Albert Adorsi's murder. He spent seven years in a state mental hospital where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After his release, his rap sheet said the murder charge had been dismissed by the judge. But there were other crimes. He was allowed to plea bargain to lesser charges.

Prosecutors and judges who have dealt with Jeffrey now say they would have never allowed the plea bargains if they'd known about Albert Adorsi's murder. Now Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Relence has ordered a full review of how the justice system handled the case. Any examination or scrutiny of what occurred here to detect what the systemic or human failures were and which would be of assistance to it that a tragedy like this didn't happen again. Albert Adorsi is buried somewhere in the cemetery in Bloomfield. Her son has never visited her grave. But his mother's memory is very much alive through her children and grandchildren. My son, he never met her, but he knows his grandmother. My daughter, never met her. But she knows her grandmother. And he looks at the picture. He said, that's grandma. She's not here, but he knows grandma. And she still lives in our hearts, but we want it. We wish it were with us. Trish DeGaspar is NJN News, Jersey City. A state appeals court has rejected prosecution arguments that three Glen Ridge men convicted of sexually assaulting a mentally retarded girl should have their bail revolved during the appeals process.

But the three member panel of the Appellate Division ordered the trial judge to hold another hearing for one of the defendants Christopher Archer, who is alleged to have committed another sexual assault while a recent college student. Archer and 22-year-old twins Kevin and Kyle Scherzer were sentenced last month to up to 15 years in a youth detention center for raping a 17-year-old girl with a bat in a broomstick in 1989. The Essex County Prosecutor plans to appeal today's ruling to the state's Supreme Court. Hundreds of workers whose jobs, hang in the balance, got the word late this afternoon on the future of Garden State Race Track and Cherry Hill. While the track won't be closing permanently at the end of this month, as feared, the outlook for the facility remains bleak. Jerry Henry is standing by at the race track with the story. Yes, Larry. As you said, there was so much excitement and expectation some eight years ago when Garden State Park reopened after the fire of 77. But over the past few months, there has been speculation as to the future of the facility here.

And today, chairman of Garden State Park, Rob Brennan, had this announcement. To the horsemen, stand the brand and thoroughbred horsemen who have been so supportive over the years to our contractors and vendors to this community as a whole and to our state. As a result, while we had seriously considered and deliberated whether we should close immediately at the close of this current thoroughbred meeting on May 29, we instead arrived at the absolute decision to terminate our racing operations at the end of the 51-day harness meet, which as I said earlier, will finish on December 4. As we said, some 1200 employees are affected by what happens here. And I'm here with Hank Dash, who is ahead of the union, who represents those employees. First of all, your comment on the decision. We're very delighted. It could have come out of the better if we plan it this way. Mr. Brennan has said he'll close December 4. It'll give the private entrepreneurs time to get together with Mr. Brennan and keep this a viable enterprise racetrack.

How are you going to go about marketing this facility? I think the marketing has already taken place. It's been advertised in the daily racing reform, which goes all throughout the country. I know there's people in the community of Cherry Hill who are quite interested in buying this as keeping it as a racetrack. And I believe they've already contacted Mr. Brennan. I believe in the very near future they're going to sit down and start negotiating with them. Starting negotiating the plans. He said that you're going to go through some aggressive marketing. Of course, you guys have been involved in some petitions as well. You've got some 40,000 signatures. If you could talk about that. We heard about six, seven weeks ago that he was going to close, made it 29th. We decided to aggressively keep this as a racetrack. We got over close to 100,000 signatures. In fact, there's still coming in. We have over 100,000 now. And we went to Trenton to tell the governor that we wanted to keep our jobs. Jobs are most important. And I think to the state of New Jersey, it is vital that these jobs stay in South Jersey. And especially in a place that's been here for 50 years. And we hope it'll be here for another 50 years because there's nothing more important than this economy than jobs.

Okay. Thank you very much. Tank dash of the local 137 and in the interesting footnote business has, according to the management here, picked up over the past year. That's the story from Garden State Park. I'm Jerry here and you back to you and Trenton. Jerry, thank you. And we'll have more on the future of Garden State Park in our second half hour when we talk to the president of international thoroughbred breeders, Robert Brennan. A controversial bill that would allow New Jerseyans to decide whether Casino should allow wagering on professional sporting events was dealt a setback today. As Ken St. John reports, a key legislative committee defeated a measure, but the bill's sponsors say they'll pursue an identical senate version of the proposal. It was a game of a different sort today as the assembly appropriation committee heard testimony on a measure that would legalize sports betting in Atlantic City casinos. Committee members heard dozens of arguments for and again for bill arguments that have been heard before, like if casino gaming comes to Philadelphia and New York, Atlantic City will suffer. Once those events happen, assuming the fact that this does not go to the people and the people vote on it favorably, we will have struck the iceberg to be quite frank with you. And like the Titanic, we're going to go down and like the Titanic, the Carpathia is not going to come to our rescue.

I think Seton Hall basketball coach PJ Carlisomo put it extremely well last December when he said, and I quote, it's a very sad commentary that we are talking about legitimizing something that everybody knows is wrong. In order for sports betting to come to the garden state, the bill would have to be passed and voters would have the final say by way of a referendum. This is the last chance for legalized sports betting, federal law ban sports betting in all states, except Nevada, Oregon and Delaware. That law gave New Jersey an extra year to decide the issue. After hearing more testimony on the measure, the co-sponsor of the bill requested it be held in committee. That request was denied. The bill was put to a pivotal vote where it fell short by an eight to two margin. This bill having failed to have the sufficient votes does not pass this committee. Thank all of you for your attendance. Sponsors of the measures say they were disappointed, but will pursue an identical bill in the Senate.

What we're going to do then is work to see what the overall head count is in both houses. I feel that we have a good chance to move the bill in the Senate. They didn't want this bill, as you could tell from some of the testimony. It's probably marginal why it even had a comment to this committee. And I guarantee it won't come before this committee again. If the bill passes the Senate, the sponsors say they will try one more time to get it passed in the assembly. Ken St. John and J.N. News Trenton. And joining us now is the president of the New Jersey Casino Association, Tom Carver. Thank you for joining us tonight. Very pleasure. How big a setback is today's action for the casino industry in New Jersey? Well, depending on whether it's a total setback or not, we have passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and that bill can be referred to the floor for vote. If it can be voted on the Senate and passed, I understand this possibility could be moved over to the assembly. Assuming, however, that's not the case, I think it's a very long-term severe setback, not only for the casino industry, but for the state of New Jersey. Why? The casinos have gotten just about everything else they want.

24-hour gambling, weekend gambling. Well, for 15 years, we've attempted to get the things that we think that casinos need to be casinos. That's true, and we're very thankful for that. Larry, in terms of the competition, the wall that's being erected around Atlantic City, Connecticut, we think is going to get more casinos. We've almost convinced that in New York, we'll get more casinos. Philadelphia has just, the mayor of Philadelphia has just reinvigorated a reinstituted rather a commission to investigate the feasibility of river boats. We think that's going to happen. Once that happens, the market for Atlantic City by definition is going to decrease. Without a unique attraction, such as sportswear during wood have been for the state of New Jersey, I think we're going to be in some serious trouble. But you've heard NFL owners testify against it. It's bad for the sport. People have said it's going to be young people who are going to want to participate in this, and it's going to cost the state $40 million in lost lottery revenues, because people are going to bet on sports and on the lottery. To be quite frankly, the study put up at NFL, I think it was an adulterated nonsense. Sports wagering is nothing to do with the state lottery.

First of all, two-thirds of our customers come from out of state. Secondly, the type of people who bet on sports wagering are the young yuppies, the people who have been raised on computers, the people who have the PCs. We know this from Nevada. We know who gambles on sports. We know there's a whole new market out there that does not come to Atlantic City, made up of a young part of the population. They're not underage, by the way, but a young part of the population who would welcome this attraction, and it would come to Atlantic City. Then it's going to come now if we don't have it. Mr. Carver, I have to interrupt you there. It remains to be seen if this will indeed get to the voters. Thank you for joining us tonight. Another new form of gambling is about to make its debut in Atlantic City's casinos. The Casino Control Commission today took the final steps necessary to allow live horse race simulcasting to Atlantic City's casinos. It took voter approval in nearly three years of planning for the casinos to plug into the broadcast from race tracks around New Jersey and the nation. The showboat casino is expected to open the first simulcast betting parlor on May 28th. And coming up on NJN News, a new ad campaign in the race for governor.

And we'll meet the auditor assigned to oversee the troubled Newark schools. The state Republican Committee today said it will spend a quarter of a million dollars between now and the June primary on commercials criticizing governor Floreo. Michael Aaron reports.

The reporters were invited in for a preview of the commercial. Jim Floreo said he would do something about New Jersey's economy. He did. He raised taxes $2.8 billion, which destroyed our economy. 400,000 jobs lost, the highest unemployment in the nation. Now Jim Floreo says he won't rule out even higher taxes. Is it any wonder over half our state wants to move out? Fed up with Floreo? The executive director of the state Republican Committee, sitting in for the chairman who was under the weather, said the TV and radio spots focus on two issues, taxes and the economy. The reason we are focusing on these issues is that a poll conducted by the state committee in late April revealed that voters are still incensed about the $2.8 billion tax increase that Jim Floreo gave to New Jersey.

And they are deeply distraught over an economy that seems to have no bottom to it. The Floreo campaign has asked the election law enforcement commission to charge ads like this against the spending caps of the Republican gubernatorial candidates. ELEC rejected the request. The Democrats have decided to appeal. Meanwhile reporters challenged the accuracy of some of the radio scripts and the tastfulness of 1-800-Berry-Jim. Jim, obviously there are some people out there who don't have much of a sense of humor. We're talking about burying them at the polls, burying them politically, burying them in Republican votes. Come on, get a sense of humor. They're on sale at K-Mart. That's a sense of humor? Yeah, with votes. Political consultants like to say a campaign doesn't really begin until the candidates are in the air, meaning on TV and radio.

Christie Whitman has two commercials on right now. Jim Wallwork has had a spot on cable TV. Carry Edwards' commercials start running tomorrow. And Jim Floreo will start airing 60-second spots early next week. Michael Aaron, NJN News, Trenton. Some call it racist persecution. Others say it's long overdue. It's the state takeover of New York's public schools and it's one step closer with the naming of an auditor general. She saw Dr. King's guest tonight in Newark. Sandy? Larry should be called auditor general and her challenge is almost as lofty as her title. To control all school spending in a city whose school district has been called chronically mismanaged and educationally bankrupt. A state team of investigators will be probing the source of those problems. But it's Rebecca Dawget and her staff will be watching a half billion dollar budget on a daily basis. Becky, some of your friends are saying they're not sure whether to give you congratulations or condolences to take on this kind of task. Actually, Sandy, I'm accepting both. I'm also accepting prayers, candle burning and anything else anyone would like to do to help us get through this really exciting but also very, very challenging assignment that I've taken on.

The Assistant Commissioner of Education has said that Newark is a jobs market disguised as a school system. They're putting you in control of the finances? Where to start? Well, actually, I'm not totally in control of the finances, but I do have the responsibility as auditor general of making sure that any expenditures or any obligations of funds that exceed $25,000. That puts you pretty firmly in control. That means that our job is to make sure that any actions that the superintendent of schools is taking to the school board meet all of the policies and regulations that are in place now for spending of the Newark school budget. Does, however, controlling the business side, the money side really have an impact on whether kids in the Newark school district are learning to read? Well, actually, my responsibility is one part of what the Commissioner has done to try to help Newark correct itself.

This phase that we're in now called the Level 3 Monitoring Phase has been intensified in two ways. One, with my job as auditor general, but also the Commissioner has announced the beginning of the comprehensive compliance investigation. And that is really a follow-up to the external review that was just announced in yesterday last week's press conference. In that review, five areas of school board performance were reviewed, and it's within those areas that also school curriculum, as well as governance and other areas are addressed. What you do is clearly crucial to whether or not a state takeover happens 12 months from now. Can you make a difference on the education side? Can putting some stops and some controls on how the money is spent really make a difference, or is that not where the problem lies?

Well, the problem lies in all areas, at lies in fiscal areas, as well as educational areas in the Newark public school system, with the comprehensive compliance investigation and the auditor general's function operating at the same time. What the Commissioner is trying to do on behalf of the Newark schools is give them time to show that there is a basis for believing that they can correct themselves. There are those who say that that's disingenuous, that in fact, the Newark schools being in the shape they are having gotten here over decades, that they're not going to be able to come out of this on their own in a year, that in fact, removing towards school takeover, and you know that the response has been from the people who run the Newark school board and the district, that this is racism, they're out to get us, that this is persecution. You're walking into that lion's den, what's that going to be like for you? It's a really tough assignment, but when you see what the external review has begun to show, has been happening in the Newark schools, you know that we're way beyond any questions of race, this is a question of accountability.

The State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education have the responsibility to see that every child in the state gets a thorough and efficient education. And on that note, let me stop you and wish you good luck with your job. Becky Doggett is actually on loan from the Port Authority. She'll start her Newark school task on June the first and depending on part on how she makes out. Newark schools could be solely in state hands one year later. Larry Kent. All right, Sandy. Thank you. And in our second half hour, we'll take a closer look at a Newark school system success story, the Harriet Tubman Elementary School. And when we come back, Dave Barber with the Improving forecast. And in sports, the Yankees sweep the twins this afternoon, Pat with highlights coming up next. And Pat joins us now with sports. I guess the best way to describe this next story is one day at a time.

That's one minute at a time. Jeff Torborg is still the Mets Manager. The question is for how long several reports have the Mets firing Torborg any minute or tomorrow, which is an off day for the Mets. You might say every day is an off day for his team. A team that is compiled the worst record in the majors under Torborg this year. Torborg, a Rutgers graduate and a Jersey resident is 84 and 115 in the second year of a full year contract. Frustrations are mounting on a team that is not played up to its potential. And certainly Torborg is not solely to blame for this lethargic bunch. In the midst of a five game losing streak, Torborg praised the price, but the front office bears responsibility too. Many names are surfacing to replace Torborg. Clint Hurdle, Whitey Herzog, Mike Cubbage, and most prominently Dallas Green. Green is the former Yankee and Phillies manager who last managed for Georgetown Brenner in 1989.

Green is now a scout in the Mets organization and could be the answer with his no nonsense style. Green was the GM in Chicago who helped turn the Cubs fortunes around. He could be a front office fix too for the Mets. The Mets have more than enough gaps to fill, and certainly Dallas Green is a strong candidate. Well this afternoon the Yankees made news on the field, sweeping the Minnesota twins for the first time in five years with an 11-6 win. Danny Tardable got the Yankees off to a three-nothing lead in the first inning. His six-homer of the season. Tardable driving in four runs today. This home run and a double as well. Yankee catcher Mike Stanley added to the New York lead, a solo home run leading off the second inning. Yankees looked like they'd put it in cruise control leading for nothing. But the twins rallied to tie it and next Yankee did Winfield double in two. That put Minnesota ahead six to four. Just out of the reach there of Dion James in center field, but that was all the offense for Minnesota. New York got five runs in the seventh and Matt Knokes here adding an upper deck blast in the eighth,

455 feet worth as the Yankees beat the twins this afternoon by an 11-6 score. Other news in sports, the NFL, the giant signing another free agent today, former Denver offensive tackle Darryl Hamilton. Cincinnati added X-Jet cornerback Mike Brim. Ken Larry. Your money on Dallas Green? He seems to be a great choice. Of course, many newspapers and Mike Lupica in particular daily news. Lobby for this a few weeks ago and it could happen. We'll see. All right. Thank you, Pat. And Dave Barber up next with a look at the forecast, Dave. Well, Ken Larry looking here on our radar picture in motion over the last several hours. Scattered rain showers continue affecting central and southern sections of the state and right along the coastline as well. The city lifting east and northeastward still scattered showers possible across the remainder of the state tonight. Still plenty of cloud activity back into Pennsylvania and will continue to see some more scattered showers developing on through the nighttime hours tonight. This frontal system doesn't really look like it'll continue pushing quickly off to the east at all.

High pressure will be building in behind it, but still that frontal system kind of getting hung up right along the coastline. Scattered showers especially during the morning hours tomorrow. We'll hope for a few peaks of afternoon sun, but with the front hugging the coastline doesn't look like it'll clear up good until Friday. For tonight, though, we'll still see some scattered showers, maybe even a thunder shower mixed in a little more likely southern sections. Loads from 45 to 55 and for tomorrow a few peaks of sunshine after some morning showers. High temperatures generally in the 60s to near 70 degrees. A better looking four day forecast into the weekend in a few minutes. Coming up in our second half hour, Robert Brennan on the future of Garden State Park, persuading New Jersey commuters to carpool to work and to look at a shining success story in the troubled Newark school district. I'm Kent Manahan and I'm Larry Stoopnagle recapping our top story tonight. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Wollens has ordered an investigation into how the judicial system hampered the state of New Jersey.

He's been out on parole just six weeks when charged with the crime. Authorities now say that it appears Jeffrey slipped through the cracks in the system when he was repeatedly allowed to plea bargain to lesser charges. Apparently, judges and prosecutors who allowed the plea bargain never knew about a murder he confessed to nearly 20 years ago, and he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial. The future of Garden State Park remains bleak, but the gate won't be closed right away. Officials of the South Jersey race track announced today that thoroughbred racing will end on May 29, but the track will not be shutting down permanently at the end of this month as had been feared. Harness racing will pick up again in September and run through December 4th as planned, but barring new developments, the track will close after that date. The announcement followed a public meeting today with the police.

And joining us now to talk about the decision to close the track, possibly ITB president Robert Brennan. Good evening. The plan was to close the track at the end of this month. What happened? What has changed? Well, that really wasn't the plan. Kent, we had announced earlier that we would be deliberating on the decision as to precisely when to cease racing operations. We arrived at that decision today and announced that Garden State Park will terminate all racing operations effective at the close of the Harness meet that is currently scheduled to end on December 4th, 1993. And we hope that that will represent a significant response and demonstrate the sensitivity that we have to the 1200 or so employees on site here as well as our various vendors and contractors and the horsemen who have such a vested interest as well as the community in the state at large.

We're putting off the decision until a later date after the gubernatorial race here in New Jersey. Does that take some of the politics out of a future decision in the hopes that the state might step in here and take over? Well, Kent, the decision really hasn't been postponed. That was made today and the date for closure actually occurs about a month after the election as you suggest. I don't think that this is really an election issue. I don't think that there are any candidates that are going to be running for governor that are in favor of throwing 1200 people out of work, which is really what would happen here at Garden State Park if there isn't a satisfactory plan that's put into effect to provide continuity to sell the track to someone who would continue to operate it as a viable racing entity. I personally feel that Garden State Park can be a successful race track, clearly at a very much reduced investment cost in what we did. We opened up the track eight years ago, we spent $180 million to build it, we've lost $100 million operating it, but we think that someone is going to come in and get a bargain at a much reduced cost and they'll be able to operate it and operate it successfully.

The ITB couldn't do the job. How could the state or anyone else who might be interested at a future time step in and do a better job? Well, ironically, Kent, what has happened in recent times is that Garden State Park is operating at a positive cash flow right now, and that's the important term. We take in more money than we spend out. However, because we invested $180 million eight years ago, we're required under accounting principles to amortize that cost, even though it's already paid, to amortize a portion of that, in our case, $6 million a year against each year's current operations, and that makes it almost impossible for us to report a profit. The sports authority, as a public authority, for example, doesn't have to take the appreciation. It's an on event to them. Any interested buyers out there talking to you now?

Yes, a number of credible interested people who have the capability to step up and recognize the enormous value of this particular facility have approached us, and we're in the process of discussing and sorting out and negotiating with them. We're hopeful that in the near term, we'll be able to arrive at a negotiated sale of the facility and to be able to make an announcement and provide everybody with that information so they can make their own plans. We have a lot of different constituents here with employees and horsemen and the community at large. Robert Brennan, President of ITB, thank you very much for being with us. You're very welcome. And just ahead we'll have an update on the supermarket strike. And we'll take to the rails for a lesson in trained safety. Thank you.

Former New Jersey congressman Robert Roe pled innocent today to charges of drunken driving, the 69 year old Democrat who represented the eighth district for 23 years did not answer questions after the brief arrangement in municipal court in Denville this morning. Roe is charged with drunken driving, reckless driving, and failure to keep right in a 1am accident on May 2nd in Rockaway Township. The car Roe was driving crashed into a minivan injuring two of its passengers.

A 45 year old woman and her 15 year old daughter suffered broken bones in the accident. Roe was not injured. A trial date has been set for June 23rd. On the other news around the state tonight, as the supermarket strike enters its 13th day, both sides met with a federal mediator today in Iceland. The mediator said he believes if labor and management could get past the health benefits issue, there would be a good chance the dispute could end. Lagers in retirement or other sticking points about 10,000 local 1262 members are out of work because of the strikes at 61 stores and management lockouts at 73 nearby supermarkets. Under New Jersey law, strikers in those lockout are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Five former attorneys general today joined Attorney General Robert Del Tufo in opposing legislation that calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Linter school aid controversy. Senate President Donald E. Francesco has introduced the prosecutor bill, but today former attorneys general from Republican and Democratic administration said they sought no need for a special prosecutor. Tufo calls the special prosecutor a waste of money and it could hamper the existing investigation into the Linter's matter.

Cain administration AG John Dagnan praised Del Tufo saying Del Tufo has proven time and again, both as Attorney General and United States Attorney, that he has never been influenced by any political agenda. And Senate Minority Leader John Lynch today said the extra $144 million in state revenue anticipated by the state treasurer should be returned to local municipalities for property tax relief. Treasurer Sam Crain made the projection and testimony before the legislature's appropriations committees yesterday. He planned rail transfer station that would link travelers with the monorail now under construction at Newark Airport has moved a step closer to reality. New Jersey Transit today accepted a $2 million check to pay for preliminary engineering for the rail station on the northeast corridor. The port authority is providing the cash generated by a $3 per passenger charge collected at the airport. The transfer stations and monorail line are expected to ease traffic around the airport and help revitalize the downtown areas of Newark and Elizabeth. If you work for a company with more than 100 employees, you may be asked to start carpooling to work soon to help cut down on air pollution.

As Sandy Levine tells us the drive to get the carpool word out began today. The prospect of another rush hour is less than amusing to you. Get together to get to work. A new advertising campaign was unveiled today by state transportation officials to let New Jersey workers know the time is now to do something about the state's air pollution problem like carpooling, vanpooling or taking mass transit. It will both clean up our air and at a relatively modest cost compared to what it takes to lay down asphalt have an enormous impact on our congestion. By November 1994, about 5,500 New Jersey companies employing more than 100 people will be required to have plans in place to increase the number of employees sharing rides to work or using other methods like flex time to take more workers off the roads during rush hour. Estimates are it will cost the affected companies $100 per worker to implement the new system.

Some companies were honored at today's news conference for being ahead of schedule. We've had up to five vanpools. We have a number of carpools. Five vanpools doesn't sound like a large number but if each one of them averages say 10 to 12 people in a van, that's taking 45 to 50 cars off the road. New Jersey officials say more than 70% of the state's residents spend time driving in their cars alone and car emissions play a big part in making New Jersey's air quality the second worst in the nation behind only Los Angeles. New Jersey commuters are driving in the most congested state in the nation and state officials say they'll have to end their love affairs with the car or the state could lose precious federal dollars for not complying with amendments to the Clean Air Act. Officials say ride sharing will reduce ozone pollution, save gas and money for commuters and reduce stress associated with battling traffic. New Jersey commuters we spoke with had mixed reactions to the potential change in lifestyle.

The worst part I think is is the congestion around here and the roads are horrible. They need to really fix the roads. So if that would cut down on the amount of traffic and thereby save the roads, I'd be willing to do that any day. I don't think I can do it. I work very late sometimes. State officials say the new program will affect about 1.7 million New Jersey commuters, but they say they'll get used to driving together the same way people have gotten used to recycling. Companies can face fines if they haven't complied with the plans they've submitted to transportation officials by 1996. Sandy Levine and JN News. Newerx public school system is under fire. The state is just one step away from taking over the embattled district for not providing students a thorough and efficient education. But within this very school system is a nationally recognized example of the best of urban public education and action. It's called Harriet Tubman Elementary, producer Kirk Soren, reporter Marie DeNoia, take a closer look tonight. If indeed it takes a whole village to raise a child, a phrase many urban educators have quoted, then one look at the central ward could inspire a alarm among those who care about the kids who live here.

But within this same neighborhood is an elementary school that defies the apparent negativity of its surroundings and defies the well-documented failures of the very system it's a part of. It's called Harriet Tubman and its philosophy is plain. We all see the same things every day and that's no excuse. That's no excuse for what takes place in the building, in the school. No excuse whatsoever. I don't accept those excuses. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Harriet Tubman, which teaches pre-K through 4th grade and a gifted and talented program for a specially selected 5th and 6th grade, was cited by Red Book Magazine as one of the top 51 schools in the nation. And it was also one of the only reasons for kudos given in a highly critical report of the city school system released by state officials last week.

The latest available statistics bear out Harriet Tubman's success. For instance, on last year's national standardized achievement tests, 85% of Harriet Tubman's 4th grade students mastered reading and vocabulary skills. Only slightly more than half of the Newark School District students did as well. The national average was 61%. In math and computation skills, same story. At Harriet Tubman, 87% mastered the test. While 63% of Newark District scored as high, compared to a national average of 65%. But the best way to learn the lessons Harriet Tubman has to teach about urban education is to take a look at the school in action. For about 250 of Tubman's 460 students, the school day starts at 7 over breakfast. Many of these students will stay here until 6 in the evening, taking advantage of the many after school programs offered. Hello, hello, how are you?

But it's during this extraordinarily long school day that minds, spirits, and futures are cultivated. They feel good about themselves. They feel good about who they are. They have a lot of self-esteem. They have a very positive self-image, and they're very proud of who they are. What is the call when it comes to the circus? Craig? It's called a lot, but very good. We work with students to try and motivate them because it's not necessary to surround them where they live. When they come to school, they do the best with what they have. Among the more innovative programs offered, all day kindergarten, which includes Spanish class. Computer lab for all students, and a pre-K through 6 music class devoted entirely to teaching string instruments. Many here credit the school's success to this woman, principal Dolores Oli.

But Dolores Oli credits the community that she, the teachers, the students, and the parents have created within the walls of this 121-year-old building and a basic shared belief. We expect them to learn, and because we expect them to learn, they expect to learn, and in fact, they do learn. One more time. Who remembers the next part? What is the next part of our letter for? This is not a school where the children come from homes where they all have certain advantages. And those children who have certain advantages excel. I think the teachers really work hard to create certain advantages for our children. And while there's no way to erase the situations many of these children face at home, the school makes every attempt to draw the parents inside to become part of the school community. Parents have to motivate the kids. If you motivate your child, that makes the teacher's job a whole lot easier.

And Harriet Tubman also makes an effort to help educate parents on how best to be parents, offering a Saturday program that teaches everything from managing money to managing emotions. And you probably go at that situation. You would be together forever, whatever. It's a hurtful feeling. There are lessons in child support laws, values in the media, and nutrition. Increase the garlic in your salads. Make your own. Be in control of it. If children perceive the parents as having an interest in education and perceive the parents as feeling that education is very important, that it's a priority, then they, in fact, will fall through and deem it to be very important. And while the school's successes have been well documented by the grades and graduates, it turns out there are other less tangible expressions of Harriet Tubman's victories, seen in the faces and heard in the voices of the children who come here.

It's important to you, of course, because my long-term goals are set for me, the school, that's the only way that I can reach them. When I do whatever I do, if I become a lawyer, a doctor, I'ma come back to Harriet Tubman, and I'ma thank Miss Ali and all my teachers and everything. I'm doing these things for myself, but I want to make my mother proud of me. So I'm doing good for me too. And having Tubman the teachers, you know, I want to make Harriet Tubman proud. I want to say, yeah, I'm a Harriet Tubman student. Marie DeNoia, NJN News, Newark. Harriet Tubman would give those students an eight plus. She certainly would. Well, up next, a look at the day in business. And Pat Scanlon takes us to Raceway Park. Okay.

Here's tonight's business news. The Clinton administration is raising the call for other countries to open their doors. In the wake of a stunning trade deficit report, the Commerce Department says the gap between U.S. exports and what we imported grew to more than $10 billion in March driven mostly by the demand for foreign oil and cars. And that's the worst monthly trade deficit in almost four years.

So far, this year, the trade deficit is running at an annual rate of more than $100 billion. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown says the report shows how important it is for the U.S. to expand markets on all fronts. And that fact was underscored today in New Jersey at the state's 26th annual World Trade Conference in Whipney. House Commissioner Barbara McConnell noted that 1,200 foreign firms employed 120,000 New Jerseyans. The theme for this year's conference was focused on trade with Korea. Governor Floreo said he would like to lead a trade delegation to Korea next year. And with the state's strong infrastructure, McConnell was bullish about the state's international business future. A lot of foreign companies. I suspect that in the future, New Jersey is going to see more and more foreign companies invest in our state creating jobs for New Jersey residents. And you're going to see New Jersey companies find broader and broader markets for their products and their services. Camden-based Campbell Supers reporting record third quarter sales and earnings. The company credits consolidation of its interest in Australia's largest cookie company

for helping boost the profits. The nation's six largest food company earned more than $108 million during the quarter up 19 percent. Campbell's worldwide sales totaled more than $1.6 billion. The caucus-based Jamesway Corporation says it lost $8 million during its first quarter. The discount retailer blames a drop in sales prompted by bad weather and a temporary interruption and shipment of merchandise to its stores while it was renegotiating credit agreements. On Wall Street, the Dow and Dustfield soared to a new record high today helped along the way by rising bond prices and a reversal in goals fortunes. The Dow closed just barely over the 3,500 mark up 55 points in heavy trading. Gainers led losers 11 to 7 on the broad market. Both the Amics and the NASDAQs also scored healthy gains. Pat's next with tonight's sports report and looking ahead to the future. That's right. The New Jersey Nets are watching the NBA playoff. Since the offseason came a little early for them, but the front office faces many pressing

questions. Despite the success, next GM Willis Raid knows his work is just beginning. I think what we've got to do now is try to reload a little bit. We've got to try to get drives in back and convince him to have more fun playing the NBA and playing overseas and try to get a deadly sign if we can and then move on to the draft and reload a little bit, try to get our draft picked from last year, PJ Brownside. So I think we've got a lot of good things to look forward to. How would you evaluate the Patrickic situation at this point? Well, I think if Patrickic really wants to be a basketball player, I thought he wanted to be, I think he would come back here. I think that the unfortunate thing for him, having never been an injured player and not planned to his capacity in the playoffs and all that, I think emotionally that was a part of what happened to us. But I mean, we've got to get him back and understand, hey, those are the breaks of the games. I've been there and that we want him back here for the next four years and so we can have

a shot at winning the championship and hopefully we'll get him back. Patrick and Dudley are free agents and the Nets must spend their 16th draft pick wisely if they're to continue to improve on your head coach Chuck Daley. For Reed, the off season will be anything but as he tries to keep the teams nucleus intact. I think it's a challenge. I think that becomes the real challenge in our business is not only trying to put a good team together, but once you've got a fairly good team to keep it together and that's going to be work. When I've been inside general August, it's probably the only time I get off. It's a slow month for us in terms of not much to do, but it's a year-round job and there are a lot of important things to get done this year and I think we'll get most of them done. Well, qualifying gets underway at the Mopar Parts Nationals at Raceway Park tomorrow night. Finishing touches were underway today as the track personnel prepares the NHR drag racing event. Our track record holder Ed McCulloch thinks his 4.856 ET record is in danger. Well, it looks like the conditions are going to be really good.

We're going to have cool weather here over the weekend. You know, moving the date from July to this time of year, we do have weather conditions and it's going to play a big part in the track, how the race track really works for us. I think that our track record here won't hold. I mean, there are going to be some awful good times run out here and just hopefully that we'll be able to get our McDonald's car out there, qualify out well and maybe win this year. Well, the Phillies have certainly found the winning formula this year and they'll go for the sweep tonight against the Florida Marlins. Philly Ace Tommy Green has been the foundation for success. A perfect 5-0 record with a league leading 1.98 earn run average. Last night, green through a 6-Head shutout, striking out 10 in a 6-0 Phillies victory. When you couple good pitching with the Phillies offense, well, Darren Dalton here hitting his 10th homer of the year, you spell success. The Phillies are now 27 and 10 leading second place Montreal by 5 and a half games. The Renaissance led by Tommy Green continues as the Phillies have won three straight. And former Parcippany standout, Glen Secunda, sophomore at Syracuse, basketball player will

transfer to Penn State. He'll sit out next year and be eligible with two years remaining for the Nittany Lions. So Secunda, the happy valley. All right. Thank you, Pat. Just ahead. Safety on the rails. Here's extended forecast. Today was proclaimed Operation Life Saver Awareness Day in New Jersey, a chance to teach youngsters

about trained safety. There were 20 fatalities along railroad tracks in the state last year. And as Eric Luskin reports, transportation officials want to put up the red flag to keep people out of harm's way. At a ceremony this morning at Newerx Penn Station, New Jersey Transit Executive Director Shirley Delibro was presented with a proclamation from the legislature. But it was more than a photo opportunity. It was a chance to train youngsters in the importance of trained safety. Hundreds of school kids were the guests of NJT on the Raritan Valley Line, part of the 4th annual Operation Life Saver Train. Railroad safety isn't just for the people who run the trains. But for everyone who comes in contact with the rail system. When the flashing lights come on, don't try to run across with your friends and stuff.

Then how come you think people don't pay attention to those rules? Because they think they don't have to listen. And they dissipate the rules and they say that they're not my mother and stuff like that. What happens? You don't listen to those rules. You can get hit. You can get your legs to take it off. A lot of stuff. According to NJT officials, hundreds of people risk injury each day along the railroad tracks. While the trainmaster was describing one area of the line prone to such activity, we encountered a case in point. Ironically, while the youngsters on board were watching a video stressing track safety. The culmination of the trip was an award ceremony honoring the best classroom posters, part of NJT's ongoing outreach program. Since we have implemented the programs and enhanced them year after year, there's been a marked reduction in the number of trespasser injuries and fatalities. People all over the country are being reminded about train safety today.

Officials and teachers here know that this is more than just a field trip. It's an outing that might help to save lives. Eric Luskin, NJN News, White House Station. And Dave Barber is here now with the extended forecast, Dave? Well, Eric yet, looking at our current map, you can see that frontal system kind of hugging the coastline right now, pushing off a little bit, but this front more or less going to be coming stationary tomorrow. Plenty of moisture is still in place, so scattered showers possible on into the late night hours and still off and on, especially tomorrow morning. After two hours, maybe the front will be just far enough off the coast that will begin to see a little more sunshine building in. Most of the state of Pennsylvania and New York will be seeing an eastern amount of sunshine tomorrow, but eastern sections right on the coastline, those clouds, are going to be holding on tight. Tonight, we'll see the clouds and scattered showers, maybe even a thunderstorm next day. And overnight lows from the middle 40s to middle 50s. And for tomorrow, we'll see the clouds begin to break up a little bit more, highs generally in the 60s, but we'll see plenty of sunshine, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Temperature is a little cooler, but not too bad at all as we head into the weekend.

That sunshine looks nice, partly sunny skies all weekend long. Mid-low temperatures generally between the middle 40s and middle 50s, Larry Kim. No. .

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