NJN News; Friday March 7, 1997 [Master, Original]

You you playing closes North Airport for a bit, despite death threats, the show will go on

with this black actor playing Jesus. This man is suspected of killing a Bayon High School student and some residents are trying to revive their dying sure city. Those stories and more on NJN News this Friday, March the 7th. Major funding for NJN News may possible by grants from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which believes that an informed citizen relieves to a healthy democracy. PSENG committed to serving customers, strengthening the business community, and investing in New Jersey's future. First Union serves the financial needs of individuals and businesses from Connecticut to Florida. HIP Health Plan of New Jersey dedicated to providing quality health care to employees of large and small businesses, as well as individuals for two decades.

And by Bell Atlantic, the heart of communication, in partnership with public television, serving to inform and lighten and educate the citizens of New Jersey. From NJN, the New Jersey Channel, the Emmy Award-winning NJN News with Kent Manahan, Dick Forney with Business, and Jerry Henry with Sports. Good evening, everyone. Kent is off tonight. I'm Kent St. John, planning on going out tonight. Well, if you're driving, you'd better watch out how much you drink. It could soon be easier to get busted for driving while under the influence. US Senator Frank Lottonberg is proposing federal legislation that would lower the legal intoxication limits. Rich Young has more on this story, and he joins us now from Route 1 in Lawrenceville, Rich. Well, Kent, the current penalties for drunk driving can be harsh. You face the possibility of big fines, the loss of license even jail time. Well, despite the consequences,

figures show the number of drunk driving related highway fatalities is on the rise. Lawmakers are hoping people think twice before they get behind the wheel with too many drinks. A lot of drunk drivers do do a lot of injury to victims than other people, and we think that it should be considered a crime. Jane Zara knows the dangers of a drunk and driver first hand. In 1990, she, her husband and son were seriously injured when their car was hit by a drunk driver. She's now a mad chapter president and doesn't tolerate people who break the law. Statistically, there are a lot of people who are killed, injured, or, you know, have severe problems because of drunk driving, and it's something that we really need to address. Well, Senator Frank Lottonberg agrees. He's proposed legislation to lower the legal and toxication limit nationally, from 0.10 to 0.08. A move he says will save lives. It will, they believe, save five to 600 lives a year. So it's a target, I think, worth shooting for. If states fail to comply, they could lose millions

in highway transportation funds. Governor Whitman says she's examining the ideas. I mean, we are aggressive in trying to get drunk drivers off the road and to send a very clear message that this isn't acceptable, and we're prepared to move forward with things that will really enhance that. Well, if that can make it happen. Currently, it takes a 165-pound person about five drinks over the span of an hour to reach the 1.0 level. If Lottonberg's measure is enacted, they'd only need about four drinks. Princeton Police Chief Thomas Michaud supports lowering the legal limit. He says even driving at 0.08 can be dangerous. There's some reaction time that has been affected. Certainly, your vision is somewhat affected. Your motor skills are affected. Your perception has changed greatly. Do you consider drivers to be dangerous at 0.08? Absolutely. I do. But in downtown Princeton, some believe the measure will not be effective against those who are determined to drive drunk. I think those people, they'll also be out there. The only thing is you hope you can catch them before they hurt someone else.

Fortress say the only way efforts like this are successful is if they're cuffled with efforts to cut down on the number of repeat offenders. There's a similar measure now pending in the state legislature for now, reporting from Lawrenceville. I'm Rich Young, NJN News. Kent back to you. OK, thank you very much, Rich. Some scary moments at Nurk Airport this afternoon. Smoke smoking oil, that is, filled the cockpit of this continental airliner as it was taking off for Boston, resulting of the entire airport shutting down for about an hour. 54 passengers and five crew members evacuated the plane. Three people were injured, one hospitalized from sliding down the emergency shoots. And our airline officials say the smoke came from overheated oil in the auxiliary power unit. Production officials at the park performing arts center in Union City wants to put a controversy behind them. Death threats were recently phoned in after the public learned the role of Jesus in the passion play would be shared by an African American and a white. But as Belinda Morton reports, the show will go on.

Yes, pray for those who curse and now treat you. Joe Bukovec has played the leading role of Jesus Christ in the passion play for some 13 years. This year, he'll share that role with Desi Arnez Giles by alternating performances. Father, everything is possible for you. The park theaters passion play in its 82nd season is the nation's longest running rendition. Some have expressed outrage over an African American playing Jesus. We have two calls, they're very similar. It was general condemnation and a death threat. I can't think of any assassin in history who called ahead. So yes, we've got a couple of threats, but the ones that were most likely to do it, other ones were totally unaware of. Did you ever think that you would have any problem? Yes, but the problems I expected was when the six foot five African American walks out dressed as Jesus.

The little old ladies and the little old men and people in the front row are going to stop, be a gas look at each other. Oh, what's this? I never expected bigotry racism. Some groups even canceled. We asked some people in Newark what they thought about the controversy. People should be able to overlook that and enjoy the play. It may be very accurate because we don't know what race he really was. If you are a spiritual person, it doesn't matter where these black, white, Spanish, or whatsoever. Despite the uproar, the play will go on his plan. I believe that the response we will get from those who are here for real, for the message will be preponderous. Giles will play Jesus Christ in the opening performance March 15th and March 16th. He'll return for four other engagements in April. I'm going to be right back. Belinda Morton in JN News, Union City. New progress tonight in the search for a suspect in the stabbing death of a Bayon High School student

and the injury of another. Today, Hudson County authorities release this sketch of a suspect described as a white Hispanic. He's believed to be between five foot six and five foot nine inches tall with dark hair and eyes. The suspect is wanted for questioning in the stabbing death of 18-year-old Aubrey Taylor and the wounding of 17-year-old Akeem Garland on Wednesday. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hudson County prosecutor's office Homicide Squad at 201-915-1345. That's 201-915-1345. There'll be restrictions on how the media will cover the Megan Canca trial. A judge today ruled television cameras will be allowed in the courtroom for only opening and closing arguments and for the verdict. Jesse Temonday-Quass is being tried in nursery county for killing seven-year-old Megan Canca of Hamilton Township. What was once considered a dual city in New Jersey has become tarnished over the years when we return. How residents in a decaying Asbury Park

are trying to bring back life to that city. A closer look is straight ahead. Asbury Park, once known as the Jewel of the Jersey Shore, is floundering in the sea of economic despair. The city of some 16,000 residents has been struggling to recover its pristine past, but on an important day, the city has been struggling to recover its pristine past. But on employment and a huge drug problem

is hampering those efforts. Tonight, we take a closer look on how some residents are taking steps to make a comeback. Everywhere you look in Asbury Park, there are signs of decay. The abandoned buildings with a per-sale signs on them tell the story of the resort town's demise. Even its once prosperous downtown is like a ghost town on some days. Despite efforts to make some type of an economic comeback, it just hasn't happened. This was the job for Asbury Park. This was the job for Asbury Park, its mild-long boardwalk, and of course its beaches, but since the riots of the 70s and the hard economic times of the 80s, no one seems to visit this resort town anymore. Reports indicate the high school here is lucky to graduate 100 students in a given year. Police say many drop out and usually end up walking the streets or even worse, begin dabbling in the world of drugs. Many of the drugs are sold on the city's west side, where riots have left the once-driving main drag of Spring and Avenue abandoned of many businesses, except for few mom in pop stores. But despite this bleak picture, the mayor of the city who recently attended a mobilization effort

to take back the street from drug dealers and users says they are getting help from the state. Asbury is one of those four chosen areas that Governor Whitman has chosen. I have exactly five letters in my briefcase today that I got. We got let-a-bate meant. We got over 220,000 for. They've given us close to $45 million. They help us get out, convention hall together. Is this money going back in the community, though? This is places that will create jobs. It brings business in the town. This is a resort town. And in order for people to have jobs, it has to be business here. Reports indicate that nearly 75% of the juveniles in the mom and the county court system come from Asbury Park and the youth sound a familiar theme, nothing to do. They need to make activities for older people to go to, because without activities, we be out here hustling, doing nothing, and getting caught up in a juvenile system. As part of the mobilization effort to take back the streets,

a coalition of churches, community activists, and citizens marched down a five-block area to confront drug dealers and buyers. With the help of some of the churches, we're going to ask them to cease and desist their ways and offer them an alternative to using drugs and dealing drugs. But many believe that churches should have mobilized a long time ago. Better late than never. Surely it should have taken place a long, long time ago. But since it didn't, we're here now. And hopefully now it's still can make a difference. And what we're saying, we're no longer going to stay in our homes and become prisoners. As you know, when you grew up here, these streets was for us. The float up and down, our moms could go up and down, and there was no problems. More marches are planned for the future. The mayor and the police also say they will offer help to anyone who wants to get off drugs. In political news tonight, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Congressman Rob Andrews received the support of Atlantic County Democratic leaders today in Atlantic City, accompanied by his wife, Andrew

snanked the leaders for their endorsement and had a message for Governor Whitman. If you're not prepared to use the power of your office, to control property taxes, to fight the insurance company so they do the right thing by the people of the state of New Jersey, to put our people back to work. If you're not prepared to use the power of your office to help the people of this state, then step aside because we will. State Senator Jim McGreevey, former state labor commissioner George Zoffingger, and Morris County prosecutor Michael Murphy say they're in the race. The Democratic primary is in June. Meanwhile, Governor Whitman today said, lower insurance premiums for New Jersey towns could mean lower property taxes. Whitman announced a $97 million reduction in insurance premiums for New Jersey towns and schools that are enrolled in the state health benefits plan. Whitman says the reduction should translate into savings for municipalities. I urge all municipalities, school districts,

and county governments who participate in the state health benefit plan to take this $97.2 million. That $97.2 million and pass it on directly to their property taxpayers. Now, state treasurer Brian Climer says the savings is a result of lower health care cost. The state's largest teachers union is endorsing the Whitman administration's plans to sell $2.9 billion in bonds for the state pension fund. The New Jersey Education Association is the first major unions to publicly support the controversial proposal. The union says it will muster backing to get lawmakers to approve the sale. Coming up on NJN News, the tales of a big garden sale, Germany is making its mark at North Airport and clowning around can be serious business. Dick Borney takes you to the big tent business this next. If you have a comment, call NJN News at 1-800-JERSEY-1

or our email address, NJN News at AOL.com. Time now for business news, Dick Borney and Landmark in New York City, in the Big Apple turns over again. Again, you know, Jerry Henry R. Sportsguy, and I were just talking about how many owners has Madison Square Garden had in its history? I don't know the answer to the question. ITT has announced, though, that it is selling

the half of Madison Square Garden it owns to its partner, cable vision systems corporation of New York for as much as $650 million. The sale of the sports shrine would allow ITT to focus on its core hotel and casino business, which includes Seasors in Atlantic City, and analysts say could support a hostile takeover bin by Hilton. Hilton, which also owns a hotel casino on the boardwalk, has offered to buy the entire ITT corporation for an a bid valued about $6.5 billion. New York Airport continues to grow as an international gateway, beginning March 30, Lufthansa will begin daily nonstop round trip service from Newark to Munich, Germany. The airline of Germany already flies nonstop from Newark to Frankfurt, one of Europe's business capitals. You are now traveling 130 miles an hour inside the newly redesigned Chevrolet Corvette. The fifth redesign of the classic cars

as 1953 was unveiled today in Atlantic City. It's almost an American legend, and every kid growing up, it's their dream to have a Corvette. When the people get a little older, they just fulfill their dreams. FC Curbec in Atlantic City sells more of the Chevy flagship vehicle than any other dealer in the United States. Sticker price? About $38,000. Well, is your job make you want to run away and join the circus? Well, you won't escape the work-a-day world under the big top. With the circus in the state this week, we thought you'd like to meet some people who earn their bread clowning around. Join the circus like you wanted to when you were a kid. I've always wanted to be a clown since I was about five. I had gone to Circus World in Florida, and my mom put me in the parade and put clown make-up on me. And from that day on, I wanted to be a clown. In last August, that dream came true. In the front of your old Valerie Valenz, after a year at Rutgers, she decided to exchange

campus life for life under the big top. But first, it was back to school, at Ringling Brothers, Barnum Bailey's clown power. They teach us from mind to juggling, still walking, improvisation, clowning. The classes were long and hard, but well worth it. We learned a lot. A job with a circus never danced in the head of Kindra Flasher. The 17-year-old kind of fell into it. The choreographer, director Danny Herman, saw me in class in New York and asked me if I wanted to join the circus. So I auditioned and they offered me the job. But even if you aren't funny or can't dance a step, there may be a job for you. Ringling Brothers employees some 700 people. There are things like the sound department, the lighting department, the rigors that you see behind me. There are an abundance of opportunities with the greatest show on earth. Although they spend a lot of time away from home and the job can be grueling, the women agree it's worth it. When she step on the floor, it's amazing. The kids are incredible.

They come up to me and they're just so excited. And they look at me like you're a star. There you go. You guys want to join the circus? Well, no clowning around today on Wall Street will have the market details next. Tonight's NJN News Business Report is made possible by Core State's New Jersey National Bank, providing financial services to New Jersey families and businesses. Warmer than expected weather caused a bigger than expected surge in construction payrolls last month. The National Employment Rate dropped 1 1 1% to 5.3%. Wall Street shrugged off the news and the stock market rallied. The Dow Industrial Average jumped 56 points to close to 70. Make that the 7,000 level. For the week, the Dow rose 123 points. The MX Composite added 1 1 ¾. An Azdaq Composite lost 3 and 2 thirds. But the standard imposed 500 gain nearly 6 and a half. In the bond market, the benchmark 30-year treasury up 27 30 seconds with a yield down to 6.81%.

Okay, thank you very much, Dick. Still ahead, some snow is in the forecast. I'm sorry about the S word, and we'll have the tails in weather. And Jerry's here with a preview of sports. Kent, the search is on at Rutgers for a new head coach. The story next in sports. Winning, you know, to move to the next level, you cannot have one good year, one bad year, one good year. I'm sorry about that. Time now for sports. Jerry, you take something away. You got to replace it. Kent, less than 24 hours after firing head coach Bob Wenzel.

Rutgers officials say the search is on to fill his position. They talk today about the search and where they'd like to see the program headed. These scenes didn't happen often enough for Bob Wenzel. In 89 and 90, the Scarlet Knights were a team to be reckoned with in the Atlantic 10 conference. Wenzel coached them to four straight postseason tournaments. It's that kind of atmosphere that Rutgers officials say they want to bring back to the rack. Since they haven't had a winning season in five years, they say it's time to make a change. We did make some strides this year in certain games. We didn't have some things happen in relationship to several of our recruits. And those are all good indices that we are on the right track. It was a matter of simply saying, where have we been? Where are we now? And let's look at the long term and not just the immediate year future. School officials say a nationwide search for a new coach is already underway. What kind of person are they looking for? Consistent winning. You're going to keep on hearing from me on a regular basis. And to move to the next level, you cannot have one good year, one bad year, one good year, and so on.

I define that as an effective recruiter. The one that recruits for the totality of the program, positioned by position. And just so many people on the floor. And to have a consistently winning kind of team, I think you've got to be effective at all aspects. Other college basketball news at Princeton, there's nothing to do but wait for the NCAA tournament to start. If I can read it. But big honors this week for Princeton senior Sydney Johnson, who was named Ivy League Player of the Year. Johnson was picked more for his leadership ability since he's the first player to be named despite scoring fewer than 10 points again. To tell you the truth, I've been happy with my play throughout the season. And I've been especially happy just having a nice senior year and really helping out. And improving every year, I think I've gotten better, just in little aspects, defense and rebounding and helping my team out. But player of the year and all, Ivy, that's really nice and all. But again, we've got some more games to go.

And I just want to focus on making this team being the best it can be. And that means maybe winning a couple of games in the tournament. And he is very serious about that. Princeton's not going to be happy just making it to the tournament this year. Sounds good. Thanks, Sherry. We saw a mix of sun and clouds across the region today in Nork today. The Irish flag was raised against the blue sky. The event commemorated the Twin Cities partnership between Nork and Castle Recounty Ross Common, Ireland. The event was also a part of the St. Patrick's Day celebration, which will culminate in the annual Parade Sunday in Nork. As far as air quality tomorrow, co-jello readings in the northeast, but the rest of the state will have good air quality in North Jersey tonight. Cloudy skies with a low of 20. Tomorrow, expect some light snow mixed with rain in South Jersey tonight. Cloudy with lows in the mid-twenties and tomorrow, some light snow with a high of 50. Finally, the garden state is hosting yet another theatrical world premiere. It's the state adaptation of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronta's masterpiece. It's at the Papermill Playhouse in Nisa Mejady as Robert Johansson, Papermill's artistic director,

why he fell in love with Jane Eyre. How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth. Charlotte Bronta, just like her character Jane Eyre, was brimful of feeling and intelligence. But, being poor and female in the 1840s, she was condemned to a limited life. The character Jane is Charlotte, through and through. You are deceit for the town, Mr. Blanc. The only thing she was really fit to do because of her station in life and her economic station, which was very poor, was to be a governess, to be a teacher. And they were thought of as being the lowest of the low. It's not quite as romantic and glamorous as Marie Van Trap. I love Thornfield. I have lived in it a full and delightful life. She wrote about a real woman that had real problems because they were based on what she had really experienced. What does this Victorian story tell us today? Well, like Jane, most of us want more out of life than the system may allow.

It also tells us to follow our hearts, but keep our integrity. I tell you, I must go. I want you to stay. Do you think I can stay and become nothing to you? Her integrity is something to admire. You know, we all want to feel like the decisions we make in our lives are the right decisions, and you're not buckling in or compromising. On the isolated English Moors, Charlotte and her sister Emily, author of Wuthering Heights, wrote their way to freedom. The two of them created two of the most popular books ever written. Jane Eyre lives out her plane, but passionate life on the paper mill stage through March 29th. Anisa Mehdi, NJN News. Milburn. That's the news for Ken Manahan, Dick, Jerry, and everyone here at NJN News. I'm Ken St. John. You have a great weekend. You

have a great weekend. You have a great weekend.

You have a great weekend. You

have a great weekend. You