New Jersey Nightly News; New Jersey Nightly News Episode from 12/16/1978 6:30 pm

A. New Jersey Nightly News with Robert Cohen in Trenton. Good evening and thank you for joining us. SANDRA KING As the night off in the news. U.S. SENATOR Harrison Williams is on his way home from mainland China with praise for President Carter. The mayor of South Brunswick and two other township officials have been arrested and released on misconduct charges. And the Hispanic community is growing and seeking political clout. We'll have a report. In sports the state's own bowl game goes down in history with more than 40000 fans watching though Perry will have all the sports. And we'll take a closer look at Newark layoffs and other events of the past week. President Carter says we'll be establishing full diplomatic relations with mainland China. Among those American politicians quick to praise that move us Senator Harrison Williams who is now in Hong Kong after a two week goodwill mission to China. Williams says

he's clearly seen during his trip that the Mainland Chinese were eager for normalization of relations with us. And the senator says one benefit of the move will be expanded trade opportunities between the two countries. The mayor and two committeemen in South Brunswick offering on their own recognizance tonight after being arrested last night on charges of misconduct in office. The charges were filed by Bill GAM Bowse a property owner who was unhappy over the township's involvement in a project to realign a highway through his land Gambro says the township had no right to earmark $100000 for the project. But Mayor Carolyn McCallum and committeeman Joseph Moki and Paul Murray so they had that right. Again both those charges are unfounded. They've asked the Middlesex County prosecutor to investigate and to clear them. The FBI in New Orleans has arrested three men on charges they tried to swindle two banks out of a billion dollars. And one of those men is Anthony Scalia of Livingston once the campaign treasurer for the New Jersey Republican Party and also identified as having served as president of the St. Barnabas Medical Center in

Livingston and his having been associated with several New Jersey banks and corporations. The FBI isn't saying how the alleged bank fraud would have worked. But United Press International quotes an unnamed FBI agent as saying that the three men were involved in a second bank fraud scheme one that would have netted them even more money than the first. One point one billion dollars. The State Board of Higher Education is taking the offensive to reverse a downward trend in the number of minority staff at New Jersey's public colleges. Faced with a declining percentage of black and Hispanic faculty over the last year the board is now requiring every state one college report on what it's doing to increase minority representation on its faculty and staff. But college jobs are of little concern to many members of the largest group of Hispanics in the state the Puerto Ricans are many of them the American dream must be somewhere else. Phelps Hawkins reports. This is the most important activity of the week for many Puerto Ricans in Trenton Center Street area.

It's regular Sunday service at the Damascus Christian church. For six years the church has been struggling financially but no more so than the community that has grown to depend on it. The main problem here is unemployment. And that brings other problems. The most insidious being a feeling of hopelessness. And that feeling is leaving a lot of people in this community. To look elsewhere for a place to live and work. Yes it's better than to move from the stage in the Genesee and go back to Puerto Rico and go to different states whether they want to go to different states and some many most of our people most of my people they go back to Florida. They stay there for six to seven months or a year the most when they come back trying to get jobs. They say they have a six month and they keep them. Moving back and forth back and forth just in a vicious cycle. But while the situation for some Puerto Ricans is frustrating here it's worse in Puerto Rico. Their unemployment is officially listed at 19 percent but a spokesman for

the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey says the real unemployment there is probably twice that. Also he noted that almost 70 percent of Puerto Rico's population is on food stamps. In New Jersey unemployment for Puerto Ricans is at least 27 percent. The main reason for that is industries move out of the cities into the southeast especially the apparel and electronics companies both of which traditionally employ a lot of Puerto Ricans. A major source of hope is the potential political clout of Hispanics who are becoming the largest minority in this country. Even so much of the answer lies in self-help. The executive director of the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey Reverend Alfonso Romano. I tend to seen in our communities not to fight for these kind of rights that we have to be able to communicate to them the need of do we need to be able to give them some sense of direction to provide them with the information that it's needed to do. To fight for their

rights. It's a very difficult task. So that's one of the things that we would be doing. Life is a struggle for many Puerto Ricans here no doubt about it. But leaders of the state's Puerto Rican residents say the general mood now is hopeful. I'm all for. Unions representing the different groups of Newark municipal workers will be laid off in the weeks ahead say they'll hold a protest rally a credential mall in Newark on Thursday. Union leaders say they hope to have as many as 15000 people there. The chairman of the board of Resorts International James Crosby is in the Atlantic City Medical Center tonight listed in stable condition. Crosby is known to suffer from emphysema and his condition would seem to be affecting him. Early yesterday when he was testifying at a Casino Control Commission hearing when he was admitted to the hospital later in the day resort spokesman said it was just for a routine check up. In the world of sports some say that New Jersey needs to get more points on the scoreboard.

Today the Garden State Bowl was New Jersey's attempt to do that at Giants Stadium. Reggie Wells got the fan's perspective. Temperatures and anxious crowds started filing into the stadium at noon time and it seemed the state's first bowl game had at least the flavor of more prestigious games. Souvenir sales in the parking lot were brisk. And there were long lines at some of the ticket windows. Ten thousand more fans than were expected showed up on an unseasonably warm Saturday for December. And because the weather was so warm even the tailgaters turned out in force. Though some of them seem to forget about the game. But most of the fans came to see college football. With mixed expectations. Tell me who you think is going to win this game. Arizona State I mean tell me why you think that would seem to have a better track record as far as the teams that play than ever and you're outnumbered here Joe. Yeah here's that well yeah. I never let that affect me. When you think about the idea is garden stable. It's a good idea for us in football right.

It could be a time before Easter for Balkan Beat with the Arizona states and the US sees this goes like the bowl games are down south in the warm weather when you think about a bowl game here in New Jersey in December it's exceptionally warm today. Today it's a nice day but it's snowing. They won't have too many fans here I don't think. OK Carmen wise deputy mayor of Newark. I don't hear well because my association that feels that the Garden State BOE name is really something that New Jersey needs. And we're here to support it and we have two busloads of people and we're having a good time. Apparently a lot of people had a good time in New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority was hoping for a large crowd and they got it. The total paid attendance at more than 33000. At Giants Stadium. It was classic football weather today. Before we get to the game highlights here is the weather forecast for New Jersey cloudy skies tonight with a chance of occasional rain possibly turn into light snow before ending tomorrow morning. Temperatures will be in the low 30s slightly warmer along the coast

will be windy and colder tomorrow as a chance of a few snow flurries over the North-West hills. Highs throughout the state will be in the mid 30s possibly reaching 40 degrees. The outlook for Monday fair and cold. You know you'll be an out of the last. Six hours or it's not much of a good i. Tell you nothing. I thought I said I'm Bill Bixby. Join me for action adventure on Dominic and I third once upon a classic season here and watch it tonight at 6:30. New Jersey Public Television. The first Garden State Bowl is now history and Bill Perry is here with the highlights bill.

Thank you Robert. I know it sounds like a question but in a game that was closer than the final score indicates Arizona State beat Rutgers 34 18 in the very first Garden State Bowl Rutgers on its fourth play from scrimmage. Got a 47 yard touchdown run from Dave in just two minutes and 53 seconds in seven to nothing. Later in the first quarter wrecker is number 45 and Stewart strips the ball from Alvin Moore and records has the turnover that lead to a can start field goal from 46 yard out goes through after hitting the right cross bar 10 nothing wreckers late in the second quarter Arizona State drove the big play on a fourth and 10 Mark Malone hits John Mr. number 88 for 24 yards to the 13 kept the drive alive on the next play with one 12 left in the half touchdown pass Malone to Robert weathers 10:07 into the third quarter Arizona State takes the lead on a twenty six yard touchdown pass Malone to missed were 14 10

missed by one the game's most valuable player honors after a Rutgers punt. Next Arizona State possession a touchdown bomb 53 yard play. Malone took Krista France 45 seconds left third quarter 21 10 records fumbles second player after the kickoff Ed McMichael off the flea flicker out Harris the all-American defensive end made the hit that led to Malone's short touchdown point drawing a what what if it's 28 10. Rutgers Ted Blackwell scored on a short run with less than five minutes left and caught a pass with a two point conversion. Arizona State came back with a Malone touchdown run in the final minute of the 43 18 final. Tomorrow night we'll have more on the Garden State ball with some post-game comments by the principals college basketball this afternoon Glassboro want to dry air from Washington D.C. 57 and tonight it's Rutgers and Princeton for the jersey bragging rights Rutgers has been a disappointment thus far. But Paul Budde line found out the Princeton coach Pete Karylle thinks very highly of the knights and that that is a

fine team. It's a very very fine tuning their foot is their play things are in your favor you beat Villanova team that crushed them you beat Manhattan team they beat by two points in overtime. Oh you know what I would because I don't think this is a little bit of color for television that statistics are like battered women. You know you could do anything you want to. For anything you want with it no matter how you look at it though there are people in the audience to think there are any good women you know it's a little statement. So if anybody gets offended no matter how you look at it they are having some problems this year and you're going strong after you know a little bit of a shaky start here but you know I have to say I have to say that right now. Right now I mean. I'm a little bit happy about it. You know record. Christers record now is five in two records Meanwhile as I said a disappointment the nights are three and two and after a pre-season of lofty expectations Rutgers is now absent from the rankings. Coach Tom Young has made some lineup changes in an effort to shake up his troops. James Bellamy number 20 of course

remains as the main man but at times his teammates have been able to get the ball to James tonight's Rutgers Princeton game can be seen alive on New Jersey public television starting at 8. The game will be played at Rutgers. The Nets lost to Atlanta last night the final was won 21 1 for you don't lose many in the NBA in the first quarter but that's what happened last night. The Hawks ran a clinic. John Drew who had all scorers with 31 followers here another basket on the off chance of boards. Dan around people follows 44 Atlanta just 3 10 and Steve Hawes scored inside and outside after he came on for three rounds and got an early foul trouble was about 22 points on 11 and 15 incredible shooting for a guy 6 9 at Atlanta a big surprise last season is doing it again this year under Hubie Brown in one NBA coach of the Year honors for 77 78 he's a special breed and social team winners always understand work. Whether it is a salesman whether it is an executive or whether it is a guy who is a coach. Winners understand work and they out work

losers. Middle of the roaders never understand it until you turn a corner. But when you do they're right there with you. Losers never understand hard work. But the winners and the guys with the potential who are right in the middle of the roaders who will turn your program. They will work hard if the winners who are your leaders work hard and that's what I found out about pro-basketball. No extra charge for the philosophy lessons from first Pete Carroll and then Hubie Brown NFL today Chicago beat Washington 14:10 third quarter Pittsburgh leading Denver 21 7 again to recap Arizona State over Rutgers 34 18 in the Garden State Ball tonight and basketball should be a good one Princeton playing at Rutgers and that's it for sports Robert. OK Bill thanks very much. Hollywood's latest extravaganza Superman The Movie opened at theaters New Jersey last night. And reporter Mike Power found out that a New Jersey woman had more to do with the film and the audience may realize. I stood on a speeding bullet more powerful than a locomotive.

It only building you got to think about it. When the sun is up. Why is the mother of Superman. I am the mother of Superbad. Her name is Barbara Johnson. She lives in Princeton and she is the mother of Superman. So this Superman Christopher Reeve star of the film sensation Superman The Movie Reeve grew up in Princeton and played his first role at the MacArthur theatre when he was nine years old. Now he's the star of perhaps the most expensive movie ever made. Reeve is Mrs. Johnson's son from a previous marriage and she's proud as punch. Oh he certainly always thought he was going to be an actor. And he is a person who has a great deal of drive and a great deal of earnestness about him and he went after this and really there was no way of stopping him and it was the thing that always made him the happy as

Mrs. Johnson says her life's been hectic since her son's movie premiered this week. People are always calling her she says asking for Chris's address. Luckily she's not always home to answer the phone. But Superman's mom has a job that taught her how to handle all those calls from people who want inside information. Mrs. Johnson you see is a mild mannered reporter herself honest in Princeton I might power a. Join us this winter for another exciting basketball season featuring 21 games. Hi everyone I'm Dick Landis a New Jersey public television sports is once again happy to bring you college basketball at its best. From now through February we have scheduled games featuring Princeton Rutgers Seton Hall St. Peters and others. It's our Southern Season of collegiate

basketball and we hope you'll join us. Check your TV listings for time and games. Princeton Rutgers tonight at 8:00. Dr. Roberts interbred the Egg Harbor physician accused of illegally dispensing pep pills to two undercover police officers has been found not guilty. The judge ruling that the doctor had been entrapped by the officers. The case reached national attention when columnist Jack Anderson reported that Cinda Brown had been called by the agents who posed as truck drivers in need of pills to keep them awake on the road to disinter brand had pleaded guilty to poor record keeping. Something for which he could be fined $25000 and he still faces action by the State Board of Medical Examiners. School layoffs vote fraud and other headaches in Atlantic City. Those are some of the stories we covered this week. Tonight we'll take a closer look at some of those events and what they mean. Rebecca Sobel and other leading journalists tell us more about this week in New Jersey. Good evening. This week the city of Newark showed the stresses and strains of a faulty

economy. Mayor Gibson criticized city workers city workers criticized Gibson and the city for making wholesale budget cuts including layoffs. About a thousand school employees began to get their notices this week as expected the teachers union opposed the move and the school board supported it. Jack Kennedy gather their reactions. Almost 600 teachers aides will be out of work here as well as 65 security guards in the elementary schools. The other way off will come in the afternoon recreation program. And among the ranks of home economics physical education and industrial arts teachers. But school board president Charles Sharif says the cuts will not affect classroom teachers and those cuts made are long overdue. The fact of the matter is that we are caught between both an educational crunch and a budget crunch and a very hard decision has to be made. There are a lot of AIDS for instance in our school system so there are some questions about what these people do some of them are excellent but many of

them are necessary. And that has to be said without being emotional about it we have to take a hard view on the side of education. But teacher union president Howard Gray says the cuts are gutting the school system. We're talking about preserving a school system and the plan as presented by the board which we are studying is educationally unsound and it's irresponsible in in terms of the safety and health of the students in this city. We're talking about cutting people keep the schools claim who at least provide a measure of safety to the children and then we get to the instructional people who work with the students to provide teachers an opportunity to work on a run through one or a limited number of students at a time for maximum teaching effectiveness. We'll talk about the new work layoffs and other events with Joseph Sullivan who covers New Jersey for the New York Times and Adrian Hafen state house reporter for the Asbury Park Press. Gentlemen what's going to happen to Newark.

Well I don't think we'll know that for some time but the interesting thing is the mayor said that someone else was quoted as saying that they don't think the quality of education will go down. When the writer we had you had the seven people on the payroll Something like to give you fire a thousand people I think remains to be seen what's going to happen but your ministration has been downplaying the effect of both the school budget cuts and the layoffs of policemen and so forth and it just seems to be you know. It just can't be that way there must be a bad effect of these people. Yes and I was sometimes and the City officials will make a lot of noise over such cuts to put pressure on the. Legislature to come up with money now it seems to be. Not doing that. At least publicly seems to be serious about going through with this quest which I think is an interesting. Point possibly indicating he feels that. The city budget than school budgets can be trimmed without hurting. The police the police who were not part of the flare up of the summer one thing with this is the mayor's way of getting rid of people who live out of town or get rid of people that he wants to get rid of. So they think it's

more of a purge than. Thank you thank you. Let's go to another topic we heard some rather remarkable testimony at hearings before the state committee of investigation. The subject was vote fraud party workers told stories of tampering with absentee ballots. As Michael Cassia reported. In one case a Democratic committee woman testified that she opened up at least one absentee ballot and changed the votes on that ballot. If you're right on occasion this is Davidson to change your vote. And I have one in my district. I mean why didn't you know we just had 60 moving to. All your members and you Jane Tennison was what she was talking about the 1976 Democratic primary in Hudson County Davidson and other Democratic stalwarts claimed that they opened ballots to ensure that they would be counted.

My intent was to ensure that every vote counted. So we were only out by technicalities. The purpose of this whole procedure was to ensure the constitutional right to vote. They allegedly gathered at the house of Joseph Mako at the time knew what Bergen's municipal clerk and Democratic chairman. Mako said the meetings were for campaign work and not for ballot tampering. What period of time were they using your house in a political fashion during the June primary 1976. How many days. Oh it's a couple of days really isn't a for distributing literature and working on the campaign. Campaign for what is campaign work and what is voter fraud. The Commission is investigating. We're here now with just of Sullivan of The New York Times Adrian Heffernan of the Asbury Park Press. Gentleman we've all heard the old joke that even though people have passed away democracy is so

strong in this country the names still turn up in ballot boxes. How widespread is this practice. I think you'll find that most people in power sometimes they don't. Break according to the. You know the other results of elections I mean within the machine and lose overwhelmingly in the hands of things like that there's bound to be a temptation. How widespread would you say it is that I think they've been pretty widespread. I would say the northern part of the state all over the state come up with allegations involving different parts of the state so it would seem as. If that's any indication it would be fairly widespread I think to the point of really shocking. And handling of these ballots Currently they carry them around in shopping bags they have them. In their homes. It's taking so long to get people to know about this reward.

I think that's a good point. What needs to be done to stop it is it realistic to expect that even stronger laws will stop this new system is you know obviously that will control the ballot from the time it leaves the person who was going to be in the state or. Maybe not accept any ballots from an intermediary has to be mailed directly or Western Mail or something. Or a new system to limit the control or limit the number of people that have access to it. The trend in recent years has been to make it easier. To register easier to vote the Democratic majority in the legislature pushing an instant. Voter bill that that would allow people to register and vote on the same day election day and now I think these hearings may. Back for. A while. We seem to indicate they need to be tightened ground. Let's go I want to one more topic. Also this week the drama continued to build an Atlantic City Resorts International suspended one of its directors until the state decides whether it can have a permanent casino license. Other reports surface casting

doubts about resorts and other companies. The question is how will this affect the gambling future of Atlantic City. Gentlemen. I'm sure for the moment it's going through people pause but there are some skeptics who still believe that the end result will be that they will. Pass muster and get their license but. In terms of them going to sounding stronger every time you trucks through you know public groups and. You have to have one television appearance he said that somebody believes that the company will sell their license but the attorney for the company said that'll never happen. Call me Mr. Crosby is willing to spend every dime you have to clear his name on this one and he doesn't get a license he'll stick around a little so you become a watchdog. But Mr I don't it's hard to tell how the gambling. Future of the city. It's quite possible. Mr Dragon is successful in being stringent in the awarding of the license. It might give the public. A little more confidence in such gambling than they might ordinarily have I don't know

that he said that the only problem they have is dealing with a heavy influx of new applications. Yes. But this whole notion of organized crime ties whatever the shady dealings are has seems to be proving all the worst fears of people who opposed gambling in the first place and when they gave them a temporary license all of this material was known was had been published several times. Another still temporary license there was a glossary of significant dates to the attorney general report and most of them in the 1971. So nothing really much has happened or nothing that was been uncovered so there was something of a sudden turnabout happen. Why did it happen now. And there was no clear explanation except sometimes just out of the snowballing got out of hand if the report came out and they said when the rest of you had to play you can stand there so that the state has become a fence on this thing and then resorts to. Clear the name.

Well certainly they knew who they were doing who was in the casino business to begin with so later the state certainly knew what was getting into and. How it would get out of it is something else I think going to bring money so that the people down in the casinos you have to deal with people. Mr apparently thinks that the people who would be coming into the casino. Thank you very much for being with us Joseph soule of the New York Times the Halford of the Asbury Park Press. Thank you both. Recapping our top stories U.S. senator Harrison Williams of New Jersey after a trip to China says he approves of the decision to grant full diplomatic relations with that country. The mayor and two officials in South Brunswick were arrested and released on misconduct charges. And New York City employees plan a mass rally next week. And that's New Jersey SATURDAY EDITION.