NJN News; Tuesday March 17,1998

New Jersey's probation officers do they need guns, reaction to the Vatican's report on Catholics and the Holocaust, youngsters and rail safety, keeping them on the right track. On this same Patrick's Day 1 local Irish woman is working to honor the men who died building New Jersey's canals. I'm Marian Bennett, I'll have that story. And you won't have to dig deeper into your wallet to get into New York by car. NJN News for Tuesday, March 17th. Major funding for NJN News is made possible by grants from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which believes that an informed citizen relieves to a healthy democracy. The SEMG 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 in partnership with Public Television, serving to inform, brighten 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. There's a move tonight to give more than 1,000 New Jersey probation officers the right to carry a gun. Currently, those who work directly with convicted criminals on probation are forbidden to carry weapons. Officers want that changed. Rich Young reports. John Smacks as he puts his life on the line almost daily. As a probation officer in

Mammoth County, his job often takes him to dangerous areas to confront potentially dangerous people. All this, while having no way to protect himself. There are a lot of great people that live around here, but you know, for the long way that there are a lot of people that they're even scared of. People like the gang members, people openly around the street making sales, buying drugs. So when you have that kind of situation, you just never know what you're going to come across. So Smack is joining 1,500 PO's statewide who support a bill that would give them the right to carry guns. The officers deal with 150,000 people on probation, including convicted rapists, thieves, even murderers. Assemblyman, frankly, is sponsoring a measure to arm PO's to protect themselves and the public. I believe they are in jeopardy. Many times they're working with criminals who, if they violate a probation, they know their next stop is jail, so they're in a very desperate situation.

Probation officers work for the administrative office of the courts. Rather than law enforcers, the court considers them as an arm of the court that's supposed to be impartial. In a statement of court spokesman said the functions of police and probation are not only different, but incompatible. The head of the officers union disagrees. That judge is sentenced people to probation terms, and they should expect that the probation officers that work for them that supervise these criminals should have the power to make an arrest and get that person off the street if they're committing a new offense. There was a similar measure proposed in the last legislative session. It got out of committee but was never posted for a vote. Now the officers are again trying to send the message that their jobs are still dangerous, and giving them law enforcement authority would be safer for both them and the general public. Richerng, NJN News, Asbury Park. These Union County jail guards have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the beating of 25 immigrants in 1995. The detainees were transferred to the jail after they rioted at a federal detention center in Elizabeth. Three other guards were convicted of misconduct

in the case two weeks ago. That trial included testimony claiming immigrants were taunted, punched, and kicked. It's been in the making for 10 years. Jews and Catholics have anticipated its release. The Vatican document on the Holocaust expresses remorse for anti-Semitic acts, but many in the Jewish community say the document doesn't go far enough. Trish to Gaspers reports. At the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, they have a Holocaust garden. There are six fountains made to look like smokestacks, which represent the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. The long awaited report from the Vatican called We Remember, a reflection on the Shoah, has been deeply disappointing to many Jews. Instead of being a full apology and the appropriate taking of responsibility for the church's part in this horrible era, that it becomes a slap in the face. Many Jewish leaders feel the Catholic church should have taken full responsibility in what

they say was a willingness on the part of many church leaders to stand idly by as the atrocities were being committed. Jewish leaders specifically cite the Pope at the time, Pope Pius XII. The feeling is that this document so eagerly anticipated, false short. We're disappointed and saddened by this long awaited statement. We expected more from this pontiff, who's done so much, so many courageous things in reconciling the church with the Jewish people. The document itself, it rings hollow. What others say the tone of the document is, apologetic, quote, the Catholic church desires to express her deep sorrow for the failures of her sons and daughters in every age. The church approaches with great compassion, the experience of extermination, the Shoah. It says further, the fact that the Shoah took place in Europe raises the question of the relation between the Nazi persecution and the attitudes down the centuries of Christians toward the Jews. Father Lawrence Frazel is the director of the Institute of Judeo-Christian

Studies at Seaton Hall University. This document will help us to communicate the church's understanding of the Second World War period, and more precisely the church's effort to have us repent for our inadequacies as Christians during that time. British diasporas and JN News. The garden state is growing. New Jersey's population has topped the 8 million plateau. That's about 4 percent more people than in 1990. The U.S. Census Bureau's 1997 estimates show Somerset, Hundred In and Ocean Counties continue to leave the state in growth. Since 1990, Somerset's population has risen more than 15 percent. Hundred In County has grown nearly 12 percent, while Ocean Counties' population has climbed 11 percent. The latest census confirms the trend that urban areas are losing population or holding steady. It won't cost you any more to head into New York by car anytime soon. There will be no

toll hikes for Hudson River bridges and tunnels. Thanks to Healthy Revenue's last year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will not be raising fares. Officers are not ruling out officials rather are not ruling out a hike for path fares, though, because of a deficit. The main safety was the focus of a program today directed at Mammoth County High School students. New Jersey Transit traveled to Esbury Park to jolt hundreds of teenagers with a reality check. While 800 Esbury Park High School students watched this video today and reacted with concern, some of them did this along the railroad tracks on their way to school this morning. It's this kind of habit NJT wants to stop. The transit agency hopes dead in their tracks, a dramatic video illustrating what can happen when a 60 mile an hour train is moving straight at them hits them with a dose of reality.

Esbury Park High wanted these kids to get a wake up call ever since the January death of a man at a rail crossing in the community. Today's lesson was a shocker. And that's how he went around to get the parts of that body. What was left? Since NJT's safety program began in 1983, nearly half a million students have taken the safety course. The South Jersey Transportation Authority has voted unanimously to take control of Atlantic City International Airport. The authority owns the terminal, but the FAA controls the runways and other facilities. It's believed the change will increase the number of passengers and help promote tourism. The deal will be completed next month. There's more news ahead tonight on NJN News, the latest on the state's unemployment rate. Attribute to the Irish details of a plan to honor immigrants who help build the Delaware

Raritan Canal. Zinc as a cold remedy. Sales are nothing to snaysad, but to Zinc really cure the sniffles. I'm Sarah Lee Kessler. We'll find out in tonight's health watch. They're usually at each other's throats, but the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group and the New Jersey Chemical Industry Council to team up together today. They join forces

as part of a coalition calling on lawmakers to stop the state utilities from charging customers for the cost of nuclear power plants. The group says those plants will not be as competitive when energy deregulation takes effect in New Jersey. The high rates for the commercial and residential customers obviously have a direct impact on people's pocketbooks. We don't think a billion dollars worth of bailout, which will reduce rates about a percent is clearly in anyone's interest except the monopolies. PSENG, the state's largest utility disagrees. If they close, we're going to have to rely. Industry in the Jersey is going to have to rely upon power from the Midwest from Pennsylvania, which has nowhere near the level of environmental standards that we have. The company says closing any nuclear facilities could cost thousands of jobs. What's rented is getting a special distinction. Vice President Al Gore named it one of 16 showcase brownfield communities today for the city's success, cleaning up abandoned and contaminated industrial sites. Over 30 sites have been cleaned up in the city and

more are being redeveloped. Trenton and other cities named today will share $28 million for future cleanups. Under Dyn County health officials are seeing a rise in the number of wildlife rabies cases this year. Lab results have confirmed nine cases so far involving seven raccoons of Fox and a skunk. There are 14 cases in the county in all of 1997. Health officials say the mild winter may account for the earlier than normal outbreak. Officials are reminding people to inoculate pets and to avoid contact with wild animals. For years, people have turned to the mineral zinc as a cold remedy, but doesn't really snuff out the sniffles. In her continuing series on alternative medicine in the mainstream, health and medical correspondence, Airely Kessler looks at zinc and the common cold. It is possible that it will help shorten the symptoms for people who have a common cold. Dr. Peter Gould is a family practitioner at UMD&J New Jersey Medical School. He sees a

lot of patients with colds. You know the symptoms, stuffy nose, sniffling, sneezing, scratchy throat, 39 million of us catch colds every year. It hurts when you swallow, right? There's no cure for the common cold. It goes away by itself. But many snifflers don't want to wait out the symptoms. So an increasing number are turning to zinc lozenges or zinc sprays for a quick fix. I don't use a lot of my practice, but have used it myself and have given it to family members. And we do see some positive results. One recent study published in the annals of internal medicine shows that zinc seems to help people recover faster. But Dr. Gould says he's concerned about the unknown long-term effects of using zinc. There is research to suggest that high doses of zinc can suppress the immune system. This doctor says time is your biggest ally in fighting the common cold.

And in the meantime, drink plenty of fluids, use aspirin or acetaminophen and get plenty of bed rest. Sarah Lee Kessler, NJN News, Newark. You can invite her, but don't expect Governor Whitman to perform the ceremony. She's told lawmakers she doesn't want the power to preside over weddings. She feels she has enough work to do. Lawmakers were ready yesterday to act on a bill to extend the authority to any New Jersey governor. Instead, the legislation was amended to include federal appeals court judges, not governors. Dick's business report coming up shortly, he's here now with a preview for us. All right, Kent Jobcuts had a big bank serving North Jersey. And these employees in Mom of County know the benefits of company-provided healthcare and so do more and more New Jersey workers, the results of a new healthcare survey next. Looks like some changes are chaste.

Yeah, a lot of people outside of North Jersey can't don't even realize chase bed hadn't been made. It has a presence here in New Jersey, but it's a substantial presence. Chase Manhattan Bank says it'll trim about 7 percent of his worldwide workforce and take a $320 million charge against first quarter earnings. A chase spokesperson tells NJN business news the effects on its 1,500-person New Jersey workforce will be, quote, modest, although it could not say exactly how many garden-state jobs would be cut. Chase name appeared in New Jersey when chemical bank bought the company in 1996, but decided to keep the chase name. Throughout its banking empire, Chase plans to eliminate about 4,500 jobs, mostly through early retirement and nutrition.

An increasing number of New Jersey employers are offering health coverage to their workers. That's the finding of a new business and industry association poll of its 14,000 member companies. According to the NJBIA, 94 percent of those survey reported that they offered health benefits last year. The trend has been upwards since 1983 when 57 percent offered health care coverage. The first year NJBIA conducted its annual survey, meantime to save money on health care coverage. 84 percent of companies report that they use so-called managed care plans, such as HMOs. The company provides two managed care options to its employees, and we've been doing that since about 1996. Since it was founded 16 years ago, Tannen manufacturing of West Long Branch has been a shiny example of a New Jersey high technology company. Tannen makes components that make high tech machines run. In its mission statement, the company boasts of its ability to respond to a changing business

environment while satisfying its customers. At the same time, Tannen has been committed to taking care of the 200 people on its payroll. The shift was made to manage care, and the employees have really are happy about it. I don't really have difficulties with any kind of medical issues with them. They seem to be quite satisfied. I think that the fact that costs have leveled off, it's making it easier for companies to offer health care coverage, and not just for the individuals working there, but also family coverage. As people say, that for New Jersey companies operating in a tight labor market, providing health benefits to workers has become a practical necessity. There's no question that with it being so omnipresent these days, that an employer that doesn't offer it finds himself or herself in a very uncompetitive situation. Manufacturing is a tight labor market in Monmouth County, and we do, I believe, offer one of the best health care packages to our employees.

And I think that's one of the reasons why we're able to attract some of the good health that we have. Another note from the survey, the biggest growth in health care coverage, was among companies with 20 employees or fewer. In 1997, 72 percent of those small employers offered health benefits, compared with 46 percent just four years ago. Well, after three consecutive months of holding steady New Jersey's unemployment rate inched up in February, according to the Labor Department, the state's jobless rate was 5 percent last month, up a tenth of a percent from the previous month. That's more than the national rate, which was at its lowest level in 24 years in February at 4.6 percent. The state Labor Department says the number of jobs in New Jersey rose by 12,500 in February in that there are 3.7 million people working in the state. No comment today from continental airlines on reports it has ordered more than a dozen new jets. According to a report in today's Wall Street Journal, the airline will spend $825 million on new Boeing 737-900s, as part of an ongoing upgrade of its fleet.

Boeing tells NJM Business News, a new generation of the plane you see here, is still on the drawing board. The 900 series will carry about 180 passengers, and have a range of about 2700 miles the new planes could be used mostly for short hop flights, such as Newark to Florida. Some backsliding among stocks today, but blue chip issues hung on to reach new record highs. The Dow average added 31 points, close to the 87-49 level. The MX composite was just about unchanged, the NASDAQ gave composite, gave back nearly 9, the S&P 500 rose a point and changed, bond slipped slightly, the 30-year issue off, creates a point in price and it's yield, edging up to 5.88% and that's business kept. Thank you Dick, and we will check the weather forecast for you shortly, coming up on NJM News. And Jerry's at Newark International Airport tonight, where the Rutgers Women's Basketball team has just gotten home. Hi Jerry. Hi Kit, we'll have a full report on the Scarlett Knight's big win next in sports. The Super should be in there, C Vivian Stringer is the first one and Natasha Pointer is the

second one. That's right, Kit, the Rutgers Scarlett Knight's literally pulled into the airport here just a moment ago, fresh off that big win over Iowa State last night, 62-61, a nail-biter, I had a chance to talk to Coach C Vivian Stringer just a moment ago, who just, by the way, had a birthday, her 50th birthday yesterday, what a birthday present. Oh, that was a great birthday present, maybe felt like I was 16 again. I mean, it was, we were talking about a party that only the teams that were invited were those that paid the price by 45 minutes and not blinking and we had two games where you really couldn't afford to play and they've been real focused and really focusing on what they had to do and it's great to have an opportunity to go to the 16th.

The two biggest free throws in freshman guard, Natasha Pointer's career came with nine seconds left in the game to ice it for the Scarlett Knight. Actually, I wasn't thinking anything, that was probably my best thing not to be thinking anything because if I was, probably a million things would have went through my head that would probably cause me to miss the free throws. So since I didn't have a thought going through my head, I promised I stepped up to the free throw line and made the free throws. Of course, Coach Stringer has talked all along about making it to the round of sweet 16. She's there now. They're headed to Tennessee this weekend to face the number one team in the country. The Tennessee volunteers, they are 35 and oh, they haven't lost this year. So a big test for them on Saturday will have much more on this tomorrow. Kent, back to you. Thank you, Jerry. A chilly, but sunny day, this St. Patrick's Day, temperatures state mostly in the forties across the state. The luck of the iris is shining tonight in Atlantic City. The new lighthouse there is honoring the emerald isle throughout the evening with a green beam. Certainly a nice light touch to this day for the irish.

And here's a look at the New Jersey forecast in the northern part of the state tonight cloudy with a chance of some rain overnight, lows in the upper 20s. Tomorrow, a mix of rain sleighed a little snow, too, turning two rain later on highs in the forties. In south Jersey tonight, periods of rain and freezing rain and tomorrow expect more showers with highs in the southern part of the state in the lower 50s. And finally tonight on this St. Patrick's Day, it has a deep meaning for an Irish woman in Lambertville. Robin Boyle is pushing to honor Irish immigrants who helped build the Delaware Raritan Canal. She wants to build a memorial after seeing a disturbing sign along the canal. Mary Ann Bennett has more. I saw these plaques along the way in Lambertville, too. And I went to a couple of people in the Lambertville Historical Society. And they led me to this locked cabinet in the Lambertville Library with some historical tales of how the canal was actually done.

That trip to the library started a crusade to build a memorial for the men who died along the canal after an outbreak of cholera. These men literally dropped like flies as they were digging the canal. Now, several things. Nobody wanted to touch them because in those days, no one knew how you got cholera, so they literally were covered with dirt where they lay. One expert on New Jersey canal says, although we know almost nothing about these men, there's proof that many of them died of the disease and were never buried out of fear that others would contract it. So many people gave their lives to make for the construction that I really think they should be some sort of memorial. And Miss Boyle is absolutely correct. So far, any visual recognition of these unidentified men is small. In this Griggs town, cemetery lies just one stone to mark the final resting place of 11 Irishmen who died while building the canal. Boyle says the number of men who still go on recognized is astounding. These men who just covered up, no markers, no last rights, no religious service, no funeral

service. And that was the end of it. On this Irish holiday, Boyle is one step closer to preserving her ancestors' place in the construction of New Jersey's history. Senate Majority Leader Richard Cody said he'd sponsor legislation to create a fitting tribute along the canal, and she's had several offers for private donations. Marianne Bennett, NJN News, Bullseye Lin, 100 in County. This is a part of the canal history. We don't normally hear about usually the history traces the canal from after its building stage and after it was open. Well, that's our news for tonight. I'm Kath Maddahan for Dick and Jerry and all of us here at NJN News for those of you who celebrate Happy St. Patrick's Day. Thank you for being with us, everyone. Good night.