New Jersey Nightly News; New Jersey Nightly News Record - 02/15/1982

New Jersey Nightly News with Dan Tarrance and Ken Honohan. Good evening the discovery of dangerous chemicals at an industrial park site in Elizabeth will cause construction delays and city officials are concerned. In sports the nets lose a game and a guard. Ray Williams at scaler We'll have that story. And in commemoration of George Washington's birthday we'll take a closer look at the time the governor spent in New Jersey the general rather spent in New Jersey a project that was to revitalize Elizabeth's industry has been stopped dead by toxic waste. Construction of a large industrial park on the side of an old dump had to be halted when investigators found oil laced with dangerous chemicals. Rolonda Watts reports. This is the potential site for the industrial park but it will remain vacant until the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey figures out how to stop the spreading of chemicals found in the soil here. Those chemicals include cancer causing PCB the construction plan is part of a 10 year program approved three and a half years ago to stimulate a billion dollars worth of industrial construction in the New York New Jersey area.

The first building was given up by June but the construction has been put off for more than a year. While officials wait for the verdict from environmental consultants they will determine the fate of the entire project. Meanwhile Elizabeth Mayor Thomas Dunn says he's counting on the construction of the new industrial park to give his city a financial boost. Right now we're getting $750000 a year in lieu of taxes from the Port Authority from 1981 and then again in 1982 we expect to get that. And then after the development gets under way we expect that amount of money to be increased many times over as much as five or six million dollars a year. This site used to be a garbage dump during the 1950s. Environmental officials say about a quarter of the land now contains contaminated oil which is slowly seeping into smaller waterways leading to Newark Bay. But environmental officials have not finished testing the groundwater. They say it's too early right now to tell exactly how much contamination is here and just what it will take to

prevent it from spreading any further. However those officials do point out that the situation does not pose a danger to public health. While Port Authority is pumping about hundred thousand dollars into determining the extent of the danger. Some officials fear construction costs might increase thus making the site less attractive to potential industries. Dunn says both state and federal environmental agencies will continue reviewing building plans and taking tests but he won't know their final decision on how to proceed with the park until May. However a few serious environmental problems are found. Construction on the first building could begin by spring of next year. In Elizabeth I'm Rylander Watts. It's taken this long to add up how much money was spent during last fall Senate and Assembly campaigns. Jim McWhinnie our political reporter says preliminary state election records suggest may have been a record amount. Jim. Don inflation competition and special interest groups all contributed to make those legislative elections the most expensive in the state's history.

By far and away the biggest spenders were incumbents Senate Democrats Steven Parsky and Republican Joseph McGann. A Senate race would be considered expensive at $50000 but Birsky and McGinn each spent nearly $300000 and it was an all out battle of the box in the Atlantic City area district. Little guys who contributed under 100 bucks accounted for only one out of every $18 dollars contributed to the two races. Although McCain lost the top Birsky in campaign spending by roughly $2000 other leading money raisers in the Senate elections were Democrat Matthew Feldon of Bergen County who won re-election Republican Jim Hurley of Cumberland County who moved up from the assembly Democrat Anthony Russo of Union County who was not re-elected. Democrat John Russo no relation of Ocean County who was reelected and Republican Gerald Karnow of Bergen County who failed in his bid to move from the assembly to the Senate in the assembly races in which most candidates appear to spend about $25000.

Democrat Chris Jackman of Hudson County who won reelection had the biggest war chest followed by John Maloney a Democrat from Union County who lost. Democrat John Doyle of Ocean County who was reelected Republican Chuck Hardwick who won reelection from Union County Republican Kerry Edwards from Bergen County who has since given up his seat to become governor Cain's legal council. Republican Dean Galil of Marinette County who won reelection and Republican William Gormley of Atlantic County who won reelection. So where did all this money come from in that big money Senate race McGinn and his brother Patrick kicked in more than half themselves. The state and local GOP committees directly or indirectly added more than 9000 dollars and three of the biggest individual contributors were businesses together giving McGinn six thousand five hundred dollars. Those three businesses also gave Percy McGann's opponent $2000 more testing some say to the ferocity of fundraising in that hotly contested district. Percy's biggest single source of funding came from

carrying over his unspent primary election contributions and he also got 88 hundred dollars in support from the state Democratic Committee. Assemblyman Chris Jackman a labor union leader was one of the biggest recipients of funds from political action committees representing special interests from labor to banks. His PAC contributions ranged from $200 to fifteen hundred dollars from as far away as Illinois. Some other leading PAC money recipients included defeated Republican Senate candidate Gerald card now a dentist by trade who received seven thousand dollars from the New Jersey dental PAC. Democratic Senator John Russo who heads the judiciary committee overseeing the state's legal community got five thousand dollars from a lawyers group called lawyers encouraging government and law. Even some conservative legislators like Republican Assemblyman Chuck Hardwick got out-of-state PAC money from conservative groups including the National Rifle Association. Pacs appear to be playing an ever increasing role. They are a source of funding for candidates. They represent specialized interests and they provide a means for those

interests to participate financially in legislative races and hopefully in their mind to influence the outcome. The New Jersey United Auto Workers led the list of PACs contributing the most to influence the outcome of numerous races followed by lawyers encouraging government and the law. The New Jersey dental PAC local 4:52 of the state operating engineers the pro business and industry New Jersey organization for a better state trailed by PACs representing realtors home builders car dealers and teachers. At least one of those high spending candidates is saying enough is enough. Senator Steve person has introduced the bill to limit individual campaign contributions to $2500 per candidate. That bill remains in committee. Builders in New Jersey have given Governor Kaine something to think about. Their plan is to use a billion dollars in state pension funds to make mortgage loans available at lower interest rates than you can now get. The problem is state employee unions oppose the plan. The buildings are trying to talk the unions into accepting the idea. They say the return on the mortgage

loans would be higher than the return on investments now made with pension funds making cheaper mortgages available would also revitalize the depressed homebuilding market. The New Jersey Builders Association has submitted a written proposal to Governor Kaine and he's considering it. Members of the United Auto Workers voted early. Later later this month on a tentative agreement reached with the Ford Motor Company this weekend they will vote later this month at Ford assembly plant in Edison reaction to the agreement was mixed. As Steve Katz reports. At local 980 headquarters across the street plant they're still waiting to hear more details on the proposed contract. But what little they do know they like Ford knows now that the foreign market was taking us over. And before a long way to probably loss eight or 10 plants in any given year and it wouldn't help anyway anybody. So we're very happy. I think our national negotiators did a damn good job. Almost sixteen hundred people work here making the smaller cars Ford is putting its future on.

But almost the same number were laid off last month. One shift was cancelled. Local Union leaders say one of the best things about the proposed agreement is what it will do for those laid off workers. The majority of our people are laid off right now I'd say 60 percent have under 10 years and they're losing everything and we understand that they will be compensated and be able to get all their sub credits which is a joy which will help them for a year also guaranteed some income or 800 Ford workers still left jobless after the closing of the Mawa plant. The union had to make some concessions putting a wage freeze through December and giving up some paid holidays. For its part. Ford agreed not to close any plans for two years and to start a profit sharing program. The National UAW is now trying to sell the agreement to its rank and file. Most of the workers we talked to agreed it was worth making some concessions for the sake of job security. The union may have a lot of selling to do really have to put up with it in order to work. They have a job right. But there are some things that

a lot of people are not happy with. I think it's someone going on the field we've heard you've got to give us something. To get something. But just can't give up on you hear what you say for all your life. 15 to 20 years of your life and give it give it all away and get nothing in return. I'll be glad to do if I go back to work. Union leaders say the contract will probably come up for a ratification vote Feb. 28. In Edison. I'm Steve Katz Joanne Chesimard one of New Jersey's most sought after fugitives may be linked to a series of robberies in Georgia. Two witnesses to a jewelry store robbery in Borro Georgia have identified Chism or through a photograph of the woman who robbed the store $26000 late last month. Police however have not confirmed Chesimard as a suspect but say a woman fitting her description is being sought for two other armed robberies in a nearby county. Jasmine who is on the FBI's 10 most wanted list was convicted for the slaying of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973. She escaped from prison four years later. The Abscam sentencing of U.S. senator Harrison Williams postponed twice within the last

month is scheduled to go forward tomorrow. The senator's health problems which caused the delays are reported to be resolved and he is expected to appear tomorrow in federal court on Long Island. SANDRA KING reports. Williams faces up to 30 years in prison the result of his Abscam conviction last May and while no one expects the sentence will be that harsh Williams could be facing a long jail strictures. It's all up to Judge George Pratt. He's already passed sentence on eight other Abscam figures. In each case he imposed far less than the maximum the longest sentence six years in federal prison fell on former Camden mayor Angelo Eric Kitty. And sentence has not been finalized on former Trenton Congressman Frank Thompson due to his health problems. All the others drew terms of three years the last to be sentenced was Alex Feinberg Williams longtime friend and co-defendant again three years. Despite his pleas for leniency on the grounds of old age

and the bad health that was just four weeks ago and Williams two had been scheduled for sentence. But the night before he'd entered Columbia Presbyterian Hospital with an aggravated hernia at the hour of sentencing he was undergoing surgery two weeks later his doctors said he needed still more recuperation time. So sentencing was rescheduled once again. But Judge Pratt today reported that Williams is expected in court tomorrow. The senator still says he is innocent and that he intends to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the damaging evidence on the Abscam tapes from the Third Circuit last week came news that could be discouraging to Williams. It involved the Abscam case of two Philadelphia city councilman. Their convictions had been overturned by their trial judge. But the appeals court said that Judge had been wrong concluding that defendants were not entrapped not victims of improper prosecution. The third circuit reinstated their

convictions. That case like the others in Abscam will probably find its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. But Williams first faces still another verdict from his colleagues in the U.S. Senate Committee on Ethics has already recommended that he be removed next week the full Senate will vote on expulsion. I'm Sandra King. Cheating at tollbooths on the Garden State Parkway is on the rise according to officials and they have a plan to help combat that problem. Beginning next month Gates will be set up in front of all 10 automatic booths at the Raritan toll plaza in the southbound lanes and at entry and exit ramp pools in the East Orange and watching areas. If a driver doesn't drop a quarter into that little collection box the gate won't go up the parkway the losing about $25 a day. The boos at the northern end of the roadways. Officials recently installed an experimental gate which they say cut losses to nothing. The new Gates will stay in place for at least two years to decide if the project would be worthwhile on a broader scale. By the way that experiment will cost thirty five thousand dollars

tonight. 128 chemical workers in East Rutherford began a week off with pay today but none of them is happy about it. They Royse chemical company has told its employees not to report to work this week after two engineering studies showed the plant is unsafe. The engineering reports revealed that the 54 year old buildings floors and walls could collapse if not immediately repaired. Royce employees are worried that if the building can't be repaired and production started up again they'll be out of work for good. But Wise's problems don't end with the building. The state's Department of Environmental Protection is suing the company. The EPA says Royce has a long history of air pollution violations. A little bit of American Revolutionary War history was re-enacted in Freehold today in celebration of George Washington's 250 birthday. Militia groups from Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. An artillery company from Mars town and a fife and drum corps from Colts Neck displayed their arms giving a mostly young audience a taste of Washington's revolutionary

spirit. Happy birthday George here's a look at the weather forecast tonight will be cloudy and mild The temperature in the mid 30s. Mostly cloudy skies tomorrow with a chance of rain by evening. The daytime high in the high 30s and the outlook for Wednesday cloudy and cold. As we mentioned across the nation people are celebrating the legal holiday of George Washington's

250 years birthday. What many people don't know is that Washington spent more time here in New Jersey during the Revolutionary War than any other state except his native state of Virginia. Tonight producer Leslie Linton and I take a closer look at George Washington and the time he spent here in New Jersey. Christmas Day December 25th 1776 the day many historians call the turning point of the revolution. Washington knew something had to be done to save the American Cause. The British had been occupying New Jersey since early in the year and the Americans were no match for their strength. Thousands of troops had already been lost in clothing and food supplies were low. Washington stood to lose two thirds of his army because current enlistments were due to run out on New Year's Eve. So he decided to take a daring move against the enemy. He gathered his men and crossed the icy waters of the Delaware from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Planning a surprise attack on the Hessians at Trenton. The Hessians were German soldiers hired by the British to fight the Americans.

Washington always had very good intelligence. And so he knew not only that he would be they would be caught with their guard down but he also knew that the Russians didn't think much of his army's ability after having chased them all the way across Jersey. And he also knew. From their locations that none of the Russian units could reinforce Trenton before he could hit them and knock them out. Not only did Washington knock out the Hessians at Trenton but a couple of days later he again took the enemy by surprise Washington moved his men quietly toward Princeton where he caught Lord Cornwallis off guard here on this battlefield. Four hundred British soldiers were killed wounded or captured during the battle. The Americans lost about 40 men twice within less than 10 days. Washington Outwood our generals now fought the mighty Royal Army Trenton and Princeton were just two of the major battles fought in New Jersey. There were many more to come. We had about seven hundred and sixty or so battles and

skirmishes that is a fight between organized military units as distinct from raids by bandits or cowboys or what have you. And we were just writing tickets in New Jersey was in the thick of things for the entire war. Morristown was the military capital of the revolution protected by the watching mountains. It was here that Washington spent two out of the eight winters of the war. General Washington stayed here at the ford mansion in Morristown from 1779 to 1780. Colonel Jacob Ford was a wealthy merchant who died before Washington came to Morristown. But the Colonel's widow offered the use of the house to General Washington. Park ranger Bob Moore dressed as a Washington aide conducts tours at the ford mansion. He told us why Morristown was a military stronghold. Well during the winter 1779 A.D. Washington was planning on several different moves that the British might make out of New York City.

The British were down in New York and he felt that they could do one of two things the following spring. They might make a push into New York state itself and try to divide the colonies as Burgoyne had tried to do earlier in the war or else they might make a push again towards Philadelphia which was the national capital. So by putting his troops here at Moorestown he could cover either eventuality. While Washington stayed at the ford mansion his troops spent the worst winter of the 18th century a few miles away. Jockey hollow. It was a winter worse than that of Valley Forge. But despite the elements the general managed to keep morale up. He didn't inspire his man. He did provide leadership and he did numerous things such as the order of the Purple Heart. He was while he was a soldier's General Washington's ability to provide leadership and make do with what he had proved to be his strength in the next three years. The American forces won t battles at Monmouth in Springfield in New Jersey.

And finally victory at Yorktown Virginia. The war ended. And that's when Washington was summoned here to Nassau hall in Princeton to receive the official thanks of the nation. Hundreds of people gathered outside to get a glimpse of the general inside. Members of Congress were on hand to pay their respects to Washington a few days later one of America's greatest heroes made the journey home to Mount Vernon Virginia where he thought he would retire to the quiet life of a farmer. Of course Washington went on to become the first president of the United States and today New Jersey remembers Washington not only with monuments and battleships but by literally engraving his name on its map. The state has six Washington townships also a Washington corner crossing Oak Park and place. And add to that 45 schools in the state named in his honor. Even Washington would have been proud. And can't of course Washington was proud of truth and accuracy and we said earlier in the show that Gerald Carter now lost his race for the state Senate but we stand corrected on that. He indeed won and is

indeed a state senator from the thirty ninth district in Bergen County. And here's Pat Scanlan with sports sitting in tonight for Bill Perry. Thanks very much Dan.. Laughter climbing to the 500 level on Friday night with a win over the Golden State Warriors. The net slipped to 25 and 26 losing a Dallas won 11 1 0 9

yesterday. Remain in a two way tie with Washington for third place in the Atlantic Division. You could see the Nats four game winning streak coming to an end. Len Elmore was really the only net who came to play. Len had a career high 25 points to go with nine rebounds and that kept the nets in the contest. A Maryland grad had 12 in the first half and was tied 52 all at halftime. With still a 1 point game with under nine minutes left when Dallas finally pulled away with eight straight points. Wayne Cooper with 22 for the game hit two straight for 97 86 maverick lead. And rookie Jay Vinson had a game by 30 points. He gave Dallas a 1 0 7 1 0 1 lead. After nets guard Ray Williams twisted his ankle going for the steal. No estimate yet on how long ray will be sidelined. The Mavericks lead one to love in the 1 0 6 when Foote's Walker swished a three point prayer at the buzzer 1 11 1 0 9 the final. And afterwards I talked with coach Larry Brown about the Nats recent improvement. He talked about. You know I'm pleased with the progress. I don't want us to be satisfied with being me. You know if I were in the team

but I realize we have. You know we have a ways to go. We hope to continue to try to improve and to play consistently each night. You know they know when they're in the dressing room that we have to continue to work hard to get better. And now the college basketball Rutgers scored an important victory in the Eastern 8 action beating George Washington 51 to 45 Saturday and moving in second place in the league with a 6 and 4 record. The Scarlet Knights can now split the remaining league games and still get the home good advantage for the league tournament thanks to the play of flash guard Brian Ellerby Ellaby hit 12 second half points his record jumped ahead 38 to 26. Coach Tom Young still had a battle on his hands as George Washington remained in striking distance. Roy Hinson slam dunk gave the Knights a 45 to 36 lead with three minutes left back in the Colonials again. Dave Bell's three point play pool GW within four points with a minute 23 left but EL-TIBI put Jerry Gimelstob club away with a driving lay up giving lectures a 47 to

41 lead. Young's club pulled away winning 51 45 upping their season to 15 and seven. Elsewhere in college action. Princeton fell out of contention in the Ivy League with a loss to Harvard 53 to 49. The Tigers playing for pride yesterday beat Dartmouth However 59 to 45. Seton Hall is losing streak has now hit 11 straight games with a 79 70 loss to Providence and St. Peters upset like the 16 and 7 they're tied for first in the Atlantic Conference with a big win over Iona 60 to 57. And other sports action WBA light heavyweight champion Michael Spinx scored his 20th straight victory with a six round TKL of Mustafa wasaga Spinx pummeled his southpaw opponent sensing the kill. Midway through the sixth round and lashing out it was Sahal with a vicious series of left hooks. Well Sodje was out on his feet as referee Tony Perez stepped in. Prezza tried to stop the fight earlier but Spinx couldn't hear him due to the crowd. Next for Mike's space Laurie Sutherland scheduled for sometime in April.

Also on Friday night the cosmos closed out the indoor season by losing to Tampa Bay 65. Georgio can you had a hatrick and wound up with 35 goals for the season. Or make that 8 to 7 a loss. It was tied 77 when Hugo Perez picked his way through the cosmos defense for the winning goal. The Cosmos finish the first indoor campaign with a 6 and 12 record and at the Melrose games in Madison Square Garden willing brawls Carl Lewis set a new garden record for the long jump 27 feet three and three quarters inches. Lewis is a candidate for the Sullivan award that goes to the nation's outstanding amateur athletes. And tonight at the Meadowlands in New Jersey rockets into the major indoor soccer league for a minimum of five four shootout victory over Cleveland host Memphis at the Meadowlands. Sports I think that we're putting our top story tonight the discovery of dangerous chemical wastes has delayed construction of the industrial park project called the Elizabeth meadows and that union county city investigators have found oil laced with toxic chemicals like PCBs in the ground at this site. The chemicals are leaching toward

Newark Bay. One development official describes the problem as serious. The site is a farmer former garbage dump dung. And that's the news for Kent Manahan and patch Gandelman Don Torrance. Good night from all of us here in New Jersey igniting. New Jersey major news is a joint presentation of the New Jersey network and in 1913. The program is broadcast weeknights at 6:30 on Channel 13 and at 7:30 on the New Jersey network there is a repeat broadcast at 10 p.m. on the New Jersey network and at 8:00 the following morning on Channel 13 portions Ricordi