NJN News; Friday November 3, 1995

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. . . . . . . . . . . Clinton vowed the United States would continue efforts to bring the Libyan terrorists charged in the attack to justice. We continue to press for the extradition of the two Libyan suspects. We want to maintain and tighten the enforcement of our sanctions, and we want to increase the pressure on Libyan.

But some families of victims refuse to attend the unveiling, saying the Clinton administration has not done enough to pursue the terrorists. After four years, it is plainfully, painfully obvious to all of us that our government, the British government and the French government and the German government, do not want to pursue this with the vigor that they pursue other worldwide issues. Amaman, whose brother was killed in the bombing, joined relatives of three other New Jersey victims and a Pennsylvania man in a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno today. Amaman said the group is pressing the administration to release the evidence it has on the bombing, because they believe the terrorists responsible will never be brought to trial. Amaman said the families will visit the memorial tomorrow morning to pay respects to their loved ones. Jim Hooker, NJN News. The memorial was constructed by a Trenton builder, Francis Klein, whose 35-year-old daughter Patricia was killed in the crash.

This in Saddlebrook are looking for vandals who defaced grave sites in a Jewish cemetery. Frazes of hate were spray-painted on tombstones. It's the second time vandals have struck. Jerry Henry has that story. Police believe the latest attack occurred on Halloween. It's the second time in two years vandals have targeted this Jewish cemetery, again with swastikers and antisemitic phrases on some 20 graves. In 1993, three juveniles were arrested for desecrating more than 100 graves sites here. As family members showed up today, after the vandalism had been cleaned up, some reacted with anger. I don't let them rest here. The second time this cemetery has been desecrated. And you know it burns me up this time. It did last time, but this time, I don't know, but just don't think people learned. The teens arrested for vandalism here in 93 were put on probation in order to watch a movie about the Holocaust. Now people who have loved ones buried here are calling for stiffer penalties.

I am hoping that an example can be made that will say to the community and to the country that New Jersey is just not going to put up with it. Hate crimes are a third degree felony in the state, and they can't be treated as though they're pranks being done by little kids. No arrests have been made, but police say they have strong leads and city officials are promising quick and strong action. I don't think that the justice system did justice at that time by smacking a little smack on the wrist of those that were responsible. I think it sent the wrong message, and I think that's possibly why this has occurred again. After the second time in two years, one family member told me, enough is enough. Jerry Henry, NJN News, Saddlebrook. West Orange Police Chief Robert Spina is now suspended without pay, pending criminal charges filed against him. Police Director William Webb says the chief is off the job indefinitely. Yesterday, in Essex County, Grand Jury indicted Spina on charges that he assaulted his wife,

committed perjury, and tipped off a suspect in a drug investigation. Good news on the state's environmental front. North Jersey is no longer under a drought emergency. Heavy rains over the past week have prompted the governor to lift the order. Whitman says rainfall brought reservoirs to above-average levels. Residents in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Pasey, Somerset, and Union counties are now welcome to what are their lawns and wash their cars. A nightmare for a young Elizabeth boy who is over tonight after a rot-wiler that attacked him was placed in a shelter following an inquiry by NJN News. Steve Schissel has been afraid to go outside after the incident, but his parents say city officials told him that they couldn't help. But as producer Tim Stollery and Sandy Levine report, that's all changed. For weeks, nine-year-old Steve Schissel had been afraid to go outside. On October 10th, as Steve played with the neighbor's children where this rot-wiler

named Rocky Lives, the dog escaped from his pen and attacked. It took doctors four hours and 75 stitches to close the wounds. After a ten-day quarantine and a check for rabies, Rocky was allowed to return to his pen. I have nightmares about him chasing me, and I also, like, in the day I'm watching TV and then I'll just, like, start thinking about and scare me. The family wanted the dog removed, but says the city was dragging its feet, so the Schissel's called NJN. Initially they told me that there was nothing that could be done, that unless this dog bit someone three times they couldn't do a thing. Then when I called you people, and you showed up with your cameras, all of a sudden the mayor found out about this, and then once the mayor found out, then action was taken. Yesterday, city officials came for Rocky, but allowed his owner, Richard Smith, to take him to a shelter.

Today, Smith could not be reached for comment, a judge will decide Rocky's fate, meanwhile George Schissel's happy his children can play here without fear. At least the dog's not there to mentally torture him anymore. Sandy Levine, NJN News, Elizabeth. He owned racetracks, champion horses, and even upstage thoroughbred racing's triple crown when Spendabuck passed up the prickness for the Jersey Derby. But now, financier Robert Brennan, facing pressure from state regulators, has resigned his position with ITB, a corporation that owns two New Jersey racetracks. International thoroughbred breeders, founded by Brennan in 1982, operates Garden State Park in Cherry Hill and Freehold Raceway. Brennan resigned after the State Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Casino Control Commission sought to prohibit ITB's tracks from taking bets on live racing and simulcasting. That after a federal judge found Brennan had engaged in a massive fraud scheme on penny stock investors and find him $75 million. I've had to seek protection in chapter 11, and while in that state, I feel that it's

incumbent upon me to operate on a more conservative level with my own personal finances, and that's the reason that I've elected to sell the racing stable for the moment. I fully intend to get back into racing once that process is over. Although the judge's ruling on Brennan came in June, ITB says the company's board had no problem with him until state regulators expressed concern that its New Jersey racing business could be jeopardized. Still ahead tonight on NJN News, New Jersey's casinos are rolling in good numbers, and in our political news tonight how this house has become a heated campaign issue in a South Jersey assembly race. Congresswoman Marjoracama won't be running for Bill Bradley's U.S. Senate seat.

The Republican says that she'd rather seek a ninth term in the U.S. House. Bradley announced in August he's resigning from the upper house. Three Republicans and one Democrat have expressed interest in Bradley's seat. Millions of dollars have been spent on state assembly campaigns this year. The costliest so far is in the seventh district, including parts of Burlington and Camden counties. Tonight Rich Young profiles the seventh district contest. Hi, I'm Diane Allen. I got so fed up with career politicians that I decided to run for office myself. A frenzy of commercials like this one have made this seventh district assembly race one very expensive contest. Here Democratic incumbent Steve Patrillo and running mate Joe Dugan are pitted against political newcomers, Republicans Diane Allen and Carmen Disopo. So far both camps have spent more than $700,000. But besides commercials, this race has been full of personal attacks.

The most recent, a charge by Democrats that a reassessment of Allen's Edgewater Park home never included their in-ground pool tennis court or duck. Patrillo said the town and taxpayers lost big bucks. The candidate Allen has been successful in avoiding paying what would appear to be her fully and fairly assessed portion of property taxes at the Allen mansion. At first, Allen denied the allegation. They're just making this up. They're putting up these bogus issues so that people will not concentrate on their record of failure. But the following day, the township's tax assessor said his office mistakenly omitted the three additions in a recent reassessment. However, Allen claiming she was set up by Democrats willow back taxes. For the past 20 years, Allen has been a television journalist. She says her experiences could now help out in forming policy. I think I bring a leadership background. I have an ability to get things done, get it done quickly and get it done right.

Her running mate, Carmen Disopo, is superintendent of the Burlington County Special Services School. His goal is to improve crime-fighting measures enacted in Trenton over the past few years. And unfortunately, our politicians are giving us slogans and lip services and simply saying, free strikes in your out and forced strikes in your out, unfortunately, that's not the total solutions. You got to get to the root of the problem. On the Democratic-Ticket Patrillo's running mate, Joe Dugan, is a maple-shaped councilman. And he's also a self-employed barber at McGuire Air Force Base. He believes barbers and cabbies make good politicians because they know what's going on. The seventh district has primarily been Democratic, but some analysts say heavy spending in Allen and Disopo's name recognition may give them an edge. Rich Young and JN News. And next Tuesday, NJN will have complete coverage of the assembly contests and important

local races in the state. Here NJN News at 6 o'clock will have election updates at 8 and at 8.30. Our full coverage of election 95 begins at 9 o'clock on all NJN channels. And the battle for control of the state assembly is on the minds of our own two political insiders, Republican analysts Roger Bodman and Democratic political analyst Jim McQueenie. Say this year's contests have seen some interesting developments for an off-year election. We've seen a lot of commercials that have been very tough in this election, television commercials Roger. And I got to tell you, this one here we should take a look at in the 18th district of Middlesex County. It's a kind of spot with a rough edge, a little nice edge to it though. Human touch that hits an emotional pressure point. To protect our children from sex offenders, Jeff Warshen, Jane's houseman voted for Megan's Law. Incredibly, Barbara Blumow called Megan's Law a knee-jerk reaction that won't work. She believes mandatory parenting class would probably do more good.

Barbara Blumow says Megan's Law won't work and wants to send me to parenting school. I won't vote for her. I wouldn't vote for her either, Jim. And I don't think a lot of people in Middlesex County can vote for her. I'm sure a hunting after the frontrunner would that kind of spot. That's mixing a lot of apples and orange on that. Take some steps from prior things and saying about Megan's Law. She's against the law and a lot of Democrats seem to be against it. And there are a lot of constitutional problems with that law. It's a good issue for the Republicans and I think they're using it. And they are. In fact, they're using it crudely. They're using it and they're using it smartly and well in the 19th district as well. Where another Democrat is opposed to Megan's Law anyway, but let's talk about the general picture of this election. I think it's incredible, really, that in 1995, in midterm election, when the party in power normally loses seats, the Republicans are likely to gain seats. Roger, this is the most boring election. This off-year election with no interest on no issues since Sodom Hussein was reelected with 99% of the vote two weeks ago. Come on. Well, you want to go back to 1991, Jim.

There was a very interesting legislative election that year. It was all about Florio's massive 2.8 billion dollar tax package. 1995. That's history. We're dealing with new fits. You don't want to talk about that. And then the voters are very happy. There are just no issues here, Roger. And no one's coming out the vote. A record low turnout will come out and commercials like this with the money the Republicans are putting in them to put them up are the only thing they're trying to excite a turnout that might benefit them. Come on. No issues. A lot of garbage on the air. We're looking victories. That's all the time we have, Jim. We'll see you next week. See you on election night. Right. All right, Jim and Roger. New Jersey's latest unemployment numbers are in. When we come back, we'll show you how they stack up. And a New Jersey teacher who makes the national grade is welcome back with cheers at his school. Congratulations, Jim. You

Think is off tonight, here's the business news. The U.S. unemployment rate is at its lowest level in seven months. Slide gains in construction and medical services help push the rate down to five and a half percent in October, down a tenth of a percent. Experts say the labor market continues to expand at a modest pace. Here in New Jersey, though, the jobless rate climbed one tenth percent to 5.8 percent last month. 9,000 people joined the unemployment ranks, but the number of those working also increased. Atlantic City casinos are on a roll. October revenues jumped 6 percent. Officials say nearly $323 million

was taken in by the gaming halls. New Jersey Casino Association officials say that's the eighth-best monthly record since the casinos opened. The increases said to be due to more slot machines and favorable reports on the Atlantic City market by several Wall Street analysts. Some may say it was a natural progression going from vice president of sales to the top man in the company. Before being named president, 38-year-old Len Lauer led the Bell Atlantic unit that provides voice and data and video services to large businesses in the state. Lauer says his primary focus in the coming months will be on the customer. We have a very long track record of strong customer service. As our market becomes more more competitive, we need to enhance that even more. Lauer says Bell Atlantic looks forward to getting into long distance service. On Wall Street today, the Dow rose nearly 17 points to close at a record high for the second straight day, reaching 48.25.57. 344 million shares were traded. The MX rose just over a point.

The NASDAQ climbed 6, and the S&P edged up a fraction. Still ahead tonight, a check of our weekend forecast and pass here now with a preview of what's coming up in his sports report. Pat? Oh, Captain, that's getting ready to open up the NBA season tonight. And Kevin Bannon gets right already to take on some of college basketball's best competition. We'll have details coming up next in sports. He's there. Level 1, 2, 3. The New Jersey Nets open the NBA season tonight in Toronto, eh? Yeah. Like what we're doing with that story. Any word yet? Who's directing tonight, Carolyn, directing tonight? Pretty close up.

The Associated Press is reporting tonight that a sports memorabilia show in Atlantic City featuring OJ Simpson has been canceled. He was supposed to appear in February to sign autographs at the convention center there. The announcement follows protests by lawmakers and the national organization for women. Time now for sports with Pat. And I guess you could say it is actually a first in Toronto tonight. So a big night for those Canadian round ball fans, Kathy, New Jersey Nets open the NBA season tonight in Toronto. After a positive preseason, Nets are hopeful the good things will carry over. The expansion wrap tours. First ever season opener should make for an exciting

atmosphere at the Skydome. It'd be all about them, you know, a lot of excitement. It's going to be a circus type atmosphere. And, you know, we had to, you know, set up the challenge and go up there and try our best. And I think we have a great chance of winning the game. But we just don't get caught up in, you know, the atmosphere. Everybody's working hard now to attitudes been good. And I'm looking forward to some good things this year. Well, we feel good about the preseason. And if we can carry that over into the regular season, we feel we have a chance of winning quite a few ball games, hopefully more than last year. I hope so. So do we, butch. Ryder basketball is taking on all comers leading up to its last season in the NEC. Coach Kevin Bandit introduced Captain's Dion Hames and Jeff Parker today and talked about playing Temple, Maryland, and Kentucky in early season action. It's about as challenging as schedules we've had here. But I think it's a good year for it. We want to play some tough teams in December. I think it's going to help us down the road and the great opportunities.

Maybe this year, I think we might catch one or two people this year. Surprise a few, but it's scaring them, hopefully. Ryder's battles for survival in West Virginia tomorrow, while Princeton takes on the Ivy League title chances against Penn in Philadelphia. Two years ago, Penn beat an undefeated Tiger team to win its first of two straight championships. Steve Tosjes thinks tomorrow will be different. We've got a group, a senior group that experienced that day. You know, it was kind of a miserable day for us. And hopefully they have grown from that. They'll certainly remember it and some of those feelings and again, a nervousness. Some of those exterior things entering in and affecting the way they play. I think we'll block all that stuff out this time, having been through it once. Well, the New Jersey Devils are now winless in their last four games after skating with three three tie in San Jose. As to taking in, donning sweater number 10 for his devil's debut last night, but it was Martin Bredour's stick to prove the object of attention.

The shark had Bredour's stick checked and it was found to be illegally curved, the resulting penalty negated a devil power play. And then San Jose's Kevin Miller scored a tying goal with just eight seconds left in regulation to tie it. Three three. That's the way it ended. Other news to flyers say Joe Lotto and Eric Lindross will be sidelined for this weekend's games against Pittsburgh and Hartford. Both suffered knee injuries and last night's two one loss in Florida and NBA news. Charlotte Trading Center Alonso mourning to Miami for Glen Rice, Khalid Reeves, Matt Geiger in a first round pick. Miami also gets Pete Meyers and Laurent Ellis. So can a lot of shuffling is the NBA teams went into the season openers tonight. Tickets by the way went up 11% the average about 31 bucks a piece this year. 31 dollars a piece. Yeah. All right. That's where Dick is tonight at an NBA game. I think you're right. Yeah. He cuffed up the box and taking a look at the weather forecast. Clouds in some drizzle this morning eventually made way for sunshine this afternoon. We saw temperatures climb into the 70s. In North Jersey tonight the forecast goes like this partly cloudy and cold lows will be in the mid 30s tomorrow. Sunny and it's going to turn sharply

colder highs in the 40s and the extended forecast a mix of sun and clouds temperatures will slowly climb in South Jersey tonight partly cloudy with lows in the mid 30s tomorrow partly sunny highs in the upper 40s. The extended outlook a mix of sun and clouds and very cool temperatures. He's new Jersey's teacher of the year and now he's in the national spotlight. Richard Ruffalo a Belleville scientist and a science teacher and coach has been named America's outstanding teacher of the year and Belinda Morton was there for his heroes welcoming this morning. Richard Ruffalo was given a hard warming welcome this morning as he returned to the high school where he's taught for 22 years. Ruffalo was named outstanding athletic coach of the year and on Wednesday at the awards presentation in Washington DC the honorees chose him as outstanding teacher of the year. Mean so much to me I can't quantify the way I feel inside I can just tell you this. You can't judge your happiness by wealth I can just say this. This profession we're

not in this for the income we're in this for the outcome definitely. And what makes this teacher so special. That's what he's been is an inspiration from the time he set foot in the classroom and it just continues he just continues to do this you know day in and day out. He taught us what was right in life not even just the biology class that we had. He always praised us for for when we showed him our best and even if it wasn't good it was still our best and he knew that and what makes his achievements even more remarkable is that for the last 14 years Ruffalo has been blind. This is not an award about me this is a award about the profession teachers are the facilitators of the future. The Belleville teacher will be featured on national television throughout this month. So what's next for Belleville high school's teacher of the year well Richard Ruffalo is headed to Atlanta to compete for the gold in the world javelin competition for physically

challenged athletes. Linda Morton and Jan News Belleville you know Richard Ruffalo. That's right great guy and also holds some national records I believe in the javelin for us so congratulations to Rich. I'm real inspiration that's our news for tonight I'm Kent Mattahann good night from all of us.