New Jersey Nightly News; New Jersey Nightly News Episode from 02/06/1981

Trenton Here's Karen Stone. Good evening. Two of the worst toxic dumps in the state lost their cleanup money today. In sports Bill Perry will have basketball and boxing highlights and we'll have a report about a dinner in Washington that drew a lot of New Jersey's political bigwigs. The removal of poisonous chemicals from two of the worst toxic dumps in the state has been halted. Today state environmental officials said federal clean up funds New Jersey have been suspended. So hazardous chemicals are no longer being removed from the chemical control site in Elizabeth and cleanup of the Plumstead toxic dump in Ocean County will be shut down next week. Tom Stewart reports. Today marks the untimely end of the chemical controlled cleanup which cost 23000 dollars per day and went forward seven days a week since the dump exploded last April 20 million dollars have been sunk into decontaminating the site. Some federal money from the Clean Water Act some from New Jersey's own cleanup fund. But that state Kitty is all but broke. And today the EPA discovered the federal account is apparently in the same shape.

What it basically means is we are no warmer. You have no active site that's going on. These were the only jobs we had were going to be doing Band-Aid type of very limited containment. We have no fun. Next week DTV will shut down the chemical removal job underway at Plumstead. When they run out of the $18000 a day going into that operation the cutback also cripples the clean up of other hazardous waste dumps. And the state will be hard pressed to handle any environmental emergency will happen tomorrow. From the standpoint of providing long term we'd still be out there. Our government and our personnel to control the immediate hazards but we cannot begin now within a day or two like what happened on April 21st last year some 100 million pounds of hazardous waste removed from New Jersey's toxic waste dumps.

Now the so-called federal super funds do sometime this year offer the only hope of keeping pace with the growing list of environmental trouble spots until today that the EPA expected the Plumstead site to be cleaned up by April. Chemical controlled by the summer but now officials are afraid to think about how long it will be until they get those two sites under control. To say nothing about the other hot spots on their cleanup list at BP offices in Trenton I'm Tom steward. The Reagan administration is now reportedly working on a plan to decontrol natural gas prices. Economists fear that may double current prices. Meanwhile as Susan these last reports New Jersey drivers are already feeling the effects of last week's decision to decontrol oil prices. Please fill up on money. Filling up your tank this week at many stations around the state has been a lot more expensive. Oil companies now able to raise prices as much as they want have wasted no time letting consumers know they enjoy their freedom. Since deregulation took effect

Energy officials say the average price at the pump for regular gas has jumped from a dollar 22 to as much as a dollar thirty nine. Unless it is now between a 34 and a dollar forty four up from a dollar 27. Wholesale prices the amount oil companies trying stations have also increased substantially. Exxon for example is now charging eight cents a gallon more than it did before decontrol Texaco an extra seven cents with Chevron Amoco Mobil and goals close behind. Drivers we talked to had mixed reaction to this latest hike in gas prices. I think it's perfectly all right. I think everything will find its own level in time. This is your supply and demand and I think we'll have to go along with it. I think it would be beneficial in the long run. I really don't know. I don't know what's the cause of it. Is it to be controlled or is it the first of all. I really don't know. Meanwhile Philips Petroleum Company has announced plans to pull out of the Garden State saying gas sales have not been profitable. Phillips does not own radio stations here but sounds to

mid-limit who supplies 75 independent stations. One of those middle men is worried about what decontrol may do to both the petroleum industry and consumers. There is going to be chaos to overwork the word initially. But already in this country gasoline prices are beginning to come down in various regions for instance Florida. That's now at 20 cents. The disparity between what one market or another. So what's happening is this this huge problem created by the we'll with in time what's time a month two months a year. I don't know. But within time we'll we'll. Come back to some orderly fashion where it can be anticipated. Sources say shell Texaco and Citgo also planning to leave New Jersey which they are now allowed to do through deregulation. The big question now is how much worse can it get. According to the Jersey gas retailers association

prices will keep going up by about five cents a gallon for the next few months. After that they should level off at least for a while. In Trenton I'm Susan loss. The cold weather is apparently still cutting into the hard cold cash flowing through Atlantic City's casinos. Brighton casino officials say they are about to complete a new 10 million dollar deal to help them financially. Meanwhile at Caesars boardwalk Regency some 46 dealers reportedly have been let go. Although casinos there refuse to confirm the total. Other casinos are cutting back hours and reportedly not replacing some dealers who quit and a number of casinos are thinking about raising their $2 betting tables to $3 betting tables. Despite that despite the bleak news at least two cherry hill residents have come up winners in the resort city. Sandra Robbins and Roha diamond both won more than $14000. Playing the progressive slots there win beat the previous record set just a month ago. A bridge project is in jeopardy in Ocean County. It is a project that will rebuild the

lifeline for residents of Point Pleasant Beach South Jersey correspondent Don Torrance reports. We reported to you last month that this bridge in Point Pleasant Beach has been condemned and that the merchants on the far side of the bridge are complaining because their customers aren't getting to them and their business is suffering. They've been promised a new bridge before their busy summer season. Well now there are new problems. The local contractor who's building the new bridge was attacked by vandals the other night and those vandals did enough damage to enough equipment that the June 1st deadline for opening the new bridge is in serious trouble. None of the damage was done at the bridge site it was all done at McGreevey construction companies yard off Route 35 in Wall Township. Tires were slashed windows were smashed and radiators punctured early yesterday morning. Seventy five thousand dollars worth of damage is done for something there. Yeah you can see that they've taken something shot. Now. No one has been arrested though several leads are being followed. There is no proof but Roy McGreevey Jr. thinks the damage was done because he uses non-union laborers

at the bridge site. I call it terrorism organized terrorism. I feel that these men have a right to work. And they say in Washington they got a right to work way led by the bacon Davis law. We pay our men scale wages. Township Police are following that lead. They don't think juveniles did the damage. They think the vandals knew just what they were going after. McGreevey had another job picketed by unions because of his non union policy. He says he got a call from a union official asking him to quit. Union workers on the bridge job. We talked by telephone with Ken Wyatt of local 825 of the Operating Engineers Union in Little Falls. He says yes he did talk by telephone with McGreevey and he's waiting to hear back from McGreevey before recommending any action at this job site. But Ken why does admit his Union is considering picketing this job but the non-union laborers like working for McGreevey and will even though they expect to be picketed. Laborers and operating engineer union officials say they don't know anything about the vandalism and the merchants at the far side of the bridge don't know if they'll ever get the link to the mainland in

time for the summer season. In point Pleasant Beach on down toward Governor Byrd met with New Jersey congressional leaders in Washington today in hopes of getting some federal money to help bail the state out of its current water crisis. Congressman Bob Rowe chairman of the house water resource subcommittee told burn to declare North Jersey a major drought disaster area. That would make it eligible for federal relief funds. Congressman Jim Florio said it would take $85 billion to pipe water from the Round Valley reservoir into dry areas of the Passaic Valley. He told barne he'd look into the feasibility of that plan sometime next week Florio told Byrne and state environmental commissioner Jerry English. If a disaster were declared New Jersey would be in line for a wide range of federal relief programs. North Jersey is now in its fifth month of water rationing. But conservation is still far short of official expectations. So some water companies are now imposing stiff fines on excessive water use but those fines could put a lot of small businesses out of business. Treadwell's has more.

The Hackensack water company owns the organelle reservoir and it is now 82 percent empty. To reverse this trend the state may be contemplating stiff measures. The state is already aware of the Hackensack water company to start finding customers who don't reduce consumption by 25 percent. So aided by a computer Hackensack water shock nearly 8000 customers with fines totaling more than $2 billion. Many homeowners in an attempt to cut their own water use at home have now begun washing their clothes at the neighborhood laundromat. But the fines imposed by the water company may be taking some of these laundromats to the cleaners. We're just small business people and we're trying to just make a living. And when you get a bill such as this I mean know it's ridiculous. I mean we just can't have the neighborhood car wash has also been the target of steep fines. Many have begun to recycle water and others have installed their own wells. A well could cost as much as $20000 and there may soon be restrictions on the commercial use of

well water. The Hackensack water company has been getting about a thousand complaints a day about the fines they've imposed and the company now shows signs of backing down in certain cases. We are quite possibly reducing the nature of the fine. And in some cases doing away with the point complete. Many customers who've been fined have refused to pay. They pay their bill but balk at paying the surcharge and the company does not have the authority to disconnect water service for non-payment of a surcharge. But reservoirs continue to drop in the state may be forced to impose stronger measures before summer. Whatever happens between now and this summer. State officials are beginning to warn people that they should start preparing themselves. For a drastic change in lifestyle. People who own swimming pools may be prohibited by the state from refilling them this spring. And if there's no substantial rainfall in the spring municipal pools that operated at capacity last summer may also become just a memory. Air conditioning units the required water

circulators may also be shut down and commercial shipping interests have been asked to take on drinking water in Baltimore instead of New Jersey. And the governor is meeting with his emergency water task force tomorrow to reportedly draw up a hit list of industry that might be forced to close if conditions get any worse. I'm Reggie wells. And now the weather forecast clearing skies across the state tonight. Temperatures will be in the high teens to low 20s. Tomorrow will be partly sunny. Temperatures will be in the mid 30s and the outlook for Sunday a chance of rain or snow throughout the day. Some rather well-known state officials tried their hands stand up comedians last night in

Washington. The occasion was the 43rd Annual New Jersey Chamber of Commerce dinner. Jim McWhinnie stayed for the meal and has the story. When the doors open for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce his congressional dinner the guests went to their tables for the usual medium guns steaks and overcooked speeches. No sooner had the marine color guard left when the speech makers let their guard down and got giddy over gubernatorial politics. Seemed everyone wanted to turn their dinner speeches into nightclub routines. The crowds first response came at Governor Burns expense after he told them it was his last chamber dinner as governor. They cheered and clapping. And that was only the candidates clapping. Many of the candidates running for his job some of whom were on the special chamber training to Washington. I guess my budget message the other day. I haven't seen the cancel that train. Of. Both Sullivan bought it.

So. He cracked the audience up by saying he got his symbolic key to the State House and the train from one candidate and promptly called his office to get the locks changed. And he alluded to the recent publicity over the Reagans allegedly suggesting the cotters leave the White House a little earlier. Anyway I don't mind all of these. All the candidates what I do in mine is there's a lot of women who are calling more of them and asking if we can leave a little early. Congressman Joseph noonish get into the act. I have been tempted to ask for a show of hands of all the potential candidates for governor here this evening. We thought we had an accurate count yesterday but I understand that we picked up a number of new prospects on the train right. As did Senator Harrison. Am I right or wrong in this state legislature they started debating a state song. Born to Run. I can see

why it might. Well the act you know we. The moral majority we have our own moral majority in New Jersey the gubernatorial candidates. But the dinner was not a light fun. At one point we discussed his upcoming Abscam trial and I'm confident. That before we gather here next year at this time this matter will be behind me. And you will know that your trust. Was not misplaced. Senator Bill Bradley also warned against extremist economic solution. He said could hurt the country more than help it. However many businessmen at the dinner appear to side with the Reagan administration's proposal to cure the nation's poor economic health. In Washington I'm Jim McWhinnie. Congressman William who's from South Jersey has introduced a bill to create a federal task force to identify ocean sites once used for dumping nuclear material. Hughes said tons of radioactive waste may now be in drums dumped offshore since World

War II. Of the four sites being investigated at present he's said to have between 1 and 200 miles off the New Jersey coast. And shopping for food turned out to be a learning experience it may not happen often if at all other than learning that food prices have gone up again. But customers of four supermarkets in Ocean County are picking up some useful information. Phelps Hawkins has the story. This supermarket and three others in the area have a number of things in common. They're all in Ocean County. They're all owned by the same man. Also they're all located within 10 or 12 miles of the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. And they all have rather unusual shopping bags. You could say emergency shopping bag messages on supermarket shopping bags usually advertisements are certainly nothing new but illustrated instructions on what to do during a nuclear accident. Now that's something new. We were approached about six months ago by the Ocean County Civil Defense and

freeholder Damian Murray to pass out circulars across our counters to the people you know regular printed eight by 11 sheets of paper and we said well we'll go one better for you will print it on our bags. Mike Perlmutter and his family own for shop rights to here in Toms River about ten miles north of the Oyster Creek plant and one each in Lacey township and Fort Hood River both within five miles of the nuclear power plant. Perlmutter says people have responded well to the instruction bags showing both interest and an underlying concern. I think there's always a worry or concern CERN's especially after you had three mile island when you lived down here you really don't think about it directly but it is always in the back of your mind. PERLMUTTER paid $3000 in extra charges for 700000 shopping bags half of them printed with nuclear accident instructions then a quarter were printed with instructions on how to help somebody who's choking. And then the last hundred and seventy five thousand urged the use of smoke detectors. And what does Jersey Central Power and Light

owners of Oyster Creek and park owners of Three Mile Island Think of all this. We asked Jersey Central Power and Light would you contribute to the cost of this public service by the way. And J.C. PNL said well because of their last three mile island they were very they're running rather tight and at a loss they had no money. But JCP and elk did offer its expertise in preparing what was to be printed on the bags. A decision making process that took five months starting with the company's horror when somebody suggested using a big mushroom cloud on the bags in Toms River. I'm Phelps Hawkins. And we'll be right back with sports. And.

Now here's Bilberry with built Thank you Karen in college basketball last night Rutgers finally won a close one 73 71 the final over West Virginia. Rutgers never lead until the final two seconds West Virginia brought a 10 game winning streak in there were seven or no in the Eastern 8. Now you're seven and 15 in four overall. Rutgers is foreign foreign league and 11 in 10 overall it was all mountaineer's early watch this halftime buzzer beater end of the first half Diego McKoy off balance force. It was 36 24 West Virginia at the half eight minutes left in the game West Virginia with a 14 point lead off the Donnie Gibson drive 59 45. Rutgers then started its comeback Calvin Troy finished with 25 inside 50 947 7:44 left. Now you will see Troy bring Rutgers within six with 4:48 left 62 56 Kelvin followed that with a steal and way up 62 58 four and a half to play. After three West Virginia free throws it was 65 58 by the way the mountaineers had twenty five point thirty four free throws for the game Rutger's 15 of 21. Clarence Tillmans jumper made it 65 63 34 left it was still a five point game. West Virginia up 69 64 when Troy with

208 in a driving dunk off the steal plus the foul 69 67 after two West Virginia free throws Chris neber line hit a lay up from Troy cut's it back down to two 1:47 with 71 69. After West Virginia missed three free throws and Troy fouled out Tillman missed but Clarence was there to hit a second try to tie it 71 or 52 seconds left 17 for Tilmann 15 in the second half. After another West Virginia missed from the line Rutgers won it right here like this. Man. Well. That's. All. I. Want. Calm down son. 73 71 the final meanwhile at Madison Square Garden St. Peters was the fourth and fifth the 8:47 this William Brown jumper got the peacocks within one 13:12 eight and a half to play in the first half. Then Mark Murphy had a real tough

shot for the peacocks and St. Peters led by one 14:13 But Bob Duke gets QUB lost the lead is for home runs seven straight points. It was 22 16 Rams at the half as David Maxwell with the steal and way up to end it in the second half. St. Peters tied it at 26 15 18 to play Brown again. The jumper but Fordham again had a spurt. They ran off eight straight points and they won going away 58 47 the final. St. Peters is now 12 and 7 for Florida is 13 and 6 the Rams beating St. Peters for a second straight time this season. In women's college ball a big one for Seton Hall last night the hall on unranked beat ninth ranked Maryland 65 64. Last man Gina had two free throws with three seconds left to give Seton Hall the win Seton Hall now 20 up and two down. They've won 12 straight in boxing the 10 count for the February 23rd Madison Square Garden card. The whole thing's off last night at Resorts International in Atlantic City. Joey Morton stopped on Addison in a light heavyweight bout midway through round two. Martin rocks Addison with a big right hand. Addison did

not answer the bell for round three. Right here the referee wants to know from Addison do you know who you are. You know where your ad is and seems to know. But later in the round it's another big right. Stunning Addison. He's against the ropes and again he did not answer the bell for round three. Martin wins it. He is now 21 and two technical knockout. The first annual North Jersey Sports Medicine symposium will be held tomorrow at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Patterson the hours 8:00 a.m. till 2 team physicians from the Giants Yankees and nets will be in attendance. The Symposium is designed for coaches trainers athletes and physicians interested in sports related injuries sports. Have a good weekend. Carol. Thank you Bill. We ended our first week in February and have come to another weekend of art music and theater in New Jersey. There is plenty to do around the state and dine in London has some suggestions. This weekend the State Museum in Trenton exhibits 14 paintings by John Powell an artist with a unique visual style. Pauwels early interest was in the field of

architecture and he has said that his work reflects the varying movements of the architecture of today. The strong sense of geometric form is evident in his paintings. The little patterns and shapes sometimes winds likely scattered in space. This painting is called Atlantic City and was finished in 1979. This one is called flotation painted in 1980. The exhibit is open to Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 at the New Jersey State Museum 2 0 5 with State Street in Trenton. Viaduct a new play by Eileen Malcomb has opened at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. It's the story of a British working class family torn by a family tragedy. The play concentrates on the intense emotional impact on the people involved and has been called one of the strongest dramas ever presented at the Playhouse. It's recommended for mature audiences. Performances will be on Saturday at 4 and 8:30 on Sunday at 3:00 and 7:30 at the George Street Playhouse at 4:14 George Street in New Brunswick. The New Jersey State Opera is performing its second production of the season Donizetti Lucita Dylan

no more and it should be absolutely magnificent leading roles will be sung by internationally known Soprano Christina doited Combe tenor Adrian Van limped and baritone £1. It's a dramatic story of love loyalty and honor. And will be performed this Sunday at 7 o'clock at Newark Symphony Hall 10 20 broad street in Newark. Perkins Center for the arts and Moorestown is having a birthday party. It's three years old. To celebrate the occasion the art center is having a special photography exhibit featuring the works of such greats as Ansel Adams Henri Cartier-Bresson and Edward Weston. Be a wide variety of photos shot in America and Europe. The exhibit is open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 at the Perkins Center for the Arts at King's highway and Camden Avenue in Moorestown. And you're never too young to celebrate Valentine's Day. So this weekend the trailside nature and science center in Union County is having a special Valentine's Day Program for Children. Third and fourth graders will learn how to make Valentine's cards and they'll hear stories and

legends about the holiday That'll be tomorrow at 10:00 in the morning. The center is on coal's Avenue in New Providence Road in mountainside. Have a good weekend. And once again our top stories. Federal funding for two of the state's worst toxic dump sites has run out and a state fund for the same purpose is all but broke. New Jersey drivers are already feeling the impact of last week's decision to decontrol fuel oil prices. And Governor Burren met with congressional leaders today in Washington with an eye toward getting some federal funds to help alleviate the effects of the drought. That's the news for Bill Perry. I'm Karen still with nightfall in New Jersey. Not the news. That. New Jersey Nightly News has a presentation of New Jersey Public Television

19:13 Cosham was reporting