NJN News; Tuesday, July 18, 2000

I don't know what I'm talking about, I don't know what I'm talking about, I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't know what I'm talking about, I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't know what I'm talking about. NJN News is made possible by PSENG, serving customers, strengthening the business community and investing in New Jersey's future.

First Union, serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses from Connecticut to Florida. Bell Atlantic, communication solutions designed for the people and businesses of New Jersey. The New Jersey Education Association, people who care about your kids, and by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. News at Senator Robert Torres-Cellie is eyeing the governor's office sends shockwaves through the State Democratic Party. Governor Whitman tours a 79-year-old school after signing the historic multi-billion dollar school construction bill. Family and police react to the videotape of the Stanton crew chase and shooting. In Health Watch, an update on an exclusive story, an emotional meeting between a bone marrow donor and a recipient. And a West Windsor policeman is among 13 top officers in the nation. NJN News for Tuesday, July 18th.

From NJN Public Television, New Jersey's only statewide television newscast. NJN News with Kent Manahan. The governor makes it official. It's being called the state's largest public works project ever. The school construction program will provide nearly $9 billion to build and renovate New Jersey schools. More on school construction in a moment. But first, political allies of Senator Robert Torres-Cellie confirm the senator is close to announcing his intention to run for governor next year. That sets up a confrontation with the current Democratic Frontrunner for the nomination, Woodbridge Mayor Jim McGreevy. As Michael Aaron reports, both Democrats are intensely lobbying party leaders. For Jim McGreevy, the past 48 hours have been a critical period. Last week, when the speculation he was planning a run for governor first became public, Torres-Cellie was downplaying it.

I've not had any plans to run for governor and I'm very complimented. There's so many friends of calls across the whole party leadership to talk to me about it. It's a great honor, but I don't think it's a decision to be made now, a Norse decision I anticipate making. But by this morning, three reputable newspapers reported it was all but certain Torres-Cellie will declare his candidacy. Torres-Cellie was in Washington today, but his top staffers asked a long-time Torres-Cellie supporter, Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, to speak for the senator today. What's the likelihood now that he's going to go all the way? I would say that he has still got some folks to call for providing everybody continues to be as supportive and encouraging as they have been over the last several days that the likelihood is approaching 100 percent. McGreevy has been campaigning hard for the nomination. Ever since he came close to knocking off governor Whitman three years ago and says in his first TV comments on this situation, he's not about to get out of the race now. Well, Senator Torres-Cellie is entitled to do whatever he would like to do, but what's important is, is that I am committed to this race.

I am committed to pursuing the governor's office because I sincerely want to govern and make New Jersey better. All of a sudden party leaders are being asked to take sides. Several have defected from McGreevy to Torres-Cellie, and the Torres-Cellie camp is hoping a quick wave of momentum will force McGreevy to bow out. McGreevy supporters and McGreevy himself say that won't happen. And they're hoping Torres-Cellie bows out rather than create a fratricidal war within the party. What's most important is the grassroots. I have talked to people around the state today in these past weeks and people clearly believe in our mission and the integrity of that mission. I think that Jim McGreevy is saying what he should be saying at this stage, if I were him, I'd be saying the same thing. Until I really got a clear picture of what the landscape is and will be. Weinberg says the North South split in the state Democratic Party was something McGreevy just could not heal, whereas Torres-Cellie can. It became apparent that we really need a leader who can bring us together in the Democratic Party to kind of transcend some of the differences that have evolved over the last year or so.

Torres-Cellie is the stronger candidate his supporters say, because of his national stature, his frequent appearances on the Sunday talk shows. Talk shows in the Washington milieu, that doesn't prepare someone to necessarily be a governor. Being mayor of Woodbridge for nine years, making the hard decisions, that prepares someone to be a governor. There is talk of betrayal in the McGreevy camp. Torres-Cellie has long been a McGreevy supporter. Some Democrats think the nomination is already Torres-Cellies. Others say don't count McGreevy out. This now sets up a possible battle on the Democratic side. Even more intense than the Republican gubernatorial battle between DeFrancisco, Collins and Shundler. Democrats today were calling it a dramatic turn of events. One said, I've never seen anything quite like it in New Jersey politics. Kent, back to you.

Michael, thank you. As we told you at the top of this broadcast, Governor Whitman has signed into law the $8.6 billion school construction bill. As Kent St. John reports, under the landmark measure, New Jersey's neediest districts will receive most of the money for building and renovating costs. Governor Whitman took a tour of the 79-year-old Wilbur Watts Elementary School in Burlington City today. The school is one of 30 Abbott or special needs school districts that will benefit from the governor's historic signing of the $8.6 billion school construction bill. The money provides for 100% funding for those districts, which was mandated by the Supreme Court, as well as providing funding for suburban school districts. Because we recognize how important it is to ensure that every child learn in a safe and secure building. No child should be ever put in danger or be put in a building that doesn't meet their educational needs. That's what this is all about. Burlington City School District will receive $53.3 million for new construction and renovations. That and the 29 other Abbott districts will be operated by the state's economic development authority. The EDA has a history and a record of delivering on large construction projects, a financing and building, large buildings.

I'm absolutely through for all public school districts in the state of New Jersey. It gives us the opportunity to improve facilities and improve facilities and hand student achievement. David Chiara of the Education Law Center that bought the Abbott versus Burk lawsuit that prompted the legislation says passing the legislation was the easy part. He says the hard part remains ahead. The difficult job ahead is going to be to make sure that the state does not build schools that are cheap, low cost, cookie cutter models. But instead builds schools that really respond to the needs of the children in the urban communities and given the lack of track record and expertise at the state level, it's going to be a difficult job. The debate's a good one. That's David's job to bring those points up. It's government's job to watch the money and I think we'll reach a happy medium. Meanwhile, Sam Pirelli, a spokesman for United Taxpayers of New Jersey says they plan to sue the governor to stop the sale of bonds to cover the estimated $15 billion long term cost of the project. He told NJN News the governor watched as the Constitution was trashed. This debt should have been approved by the voters.

To rebuild the schools in the urban districts, to rebuild schools in the suburban districts, we have a task ahead of us. And I just hope that we're all up to that task. Can St. John, NJN News, Burlington City. The family of an unarmed motorist along with some police are reacting to a videotape of a fatal police shooting, which has been released to the public. 31-year-old Stanton crew was shot along Route 80 after leading officers on a high-speed chase last year. Zachary think has more. And a note, some of the videotape you're about to see is graphic. A video camera mounted on a police cruiser captures the pursuit of Stanton crew in June of 1999. At one point, crew drives his car across the grassy median and begins heading in the opposite direction along the interstate. Police say they began the chase after crew didn't stop for a traffic violation. No guns or drugs were founding crew's car, but it was later learned he was driving with a suspended license. He was wrong, he should have stopped. He should have stopped. So maybe the police were angry because he didn't stop.

But there was no reason to kill him. After a chase of nearly 16 miles, crew pulled his car over onto the embankment. The police exit the car and they started firing. You don't hear anyone say stepped out of the car. Just the 27 shots and then cease fire, cease fire. In December, a Morris County Grand jury found that officers involved did not break any laws. And just last week, after an investigation, the federal government announced it would not prosecute the officers on any civil rights violations. A spokesperson for the county prosecutors said their office decided to release the video because of requests from the media. The crew shooting in one on the turnpike two years ago prompted the attorney general's office to review use of force policies. Last month, the guidelines were updated, including new procedures which limit officers' abilities to fire on moving vehicles. At first, I thought the officers kind of overreacted, but then when I saw the entire video, I saw something different.

Perente is also the director of a police academy. Here, they trained officers how to respond to pursuits and high speed chases. When we did our nationwide survey, approximately 10 years ago, that's what we did find out that in the majority of high speed pursuits, it's usually the officers that are either killed or injured. Family members say they aren't giving up. They've erected this memorial in front of their home which counts down the days until they get justice. They plan on filing a wrongful death lawsuit, and they say the release of the video tape will help bolster that case. Zachary Fink, NJN News, Morristown. Still ahead tonight on NJN News, the latest on the state's unemployment figures. A car rescue in Mercer County earns a local police officer a national honor. We'll have that story. I'm Sarah Lee Kessler. I'll have the story of an emotional cross-country meeting between a bone marrow donor and his grateful recipient in HealthWatch. In tonight's HealthWatch, an emotional meeting between two strangers who share an unusual bond.

In tonight's HealthWatch, an emotional meeting between two strangers who share an unusual bond. It's a follow-up to an exclusive bone marrow story we first told you about last summer. Health and medical correspondent Sarah Lee Kessler joined us now from our New York Bureau with the story tonight. Sarah Lee, count the donor is my husband, a New Jersey man, Robert Miller. And as you recall, last July he donated bone marrow to a young man half his age who was dying of leukemia. Someone he'd never met. Someone whose name he didn't know. Well, last week, Robert flew halfway across the country to meet the recipient and what a meeting it was. For me, it's a grand slam. There it goes. Oh, man, he launched that one. A monstrous run, hit by social wounds.

But the two do share a more basic bond. Robert's bone marrow, he donated it last July to save Matt's life. The two men accompanied by their families were brought to the metradome to raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow donation. I think it'll be very strange to share this private moment with this man whose life I saved with 40,000, the immediate world and 40,000 people. Robert and Matt were to be introduced as the twins prepared to face off against the cubs. The meeting was arranged by the national marrow donor program, which brings together one donor recipient pair in a highly publicized setting every year. It's great because people actually get to see that by signing up to be on the registry that you can save a life. I mean, this is proof that it works.

It didn't look good for me at complications with my leukemia, but thanks to somebody who I haven't met yet in his generosity, here I am speaking to you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Matt. In December 1998, Matt was diagnosed with ALL or acute lymphocytic leukemia. Robert's bone marrow was a perfect six-antigen match right down to the DNA level. A leader of it was retrieved from his hip bones. It was transported to Chicago where it was infused into Matt in a two-hour procedure, much like a blood transfusion. It's the greatest thing I ever did in my life. Thank you. The greatest thing you ever did in my life. The Talmud says that if you save one life, it's like you saved the world. So, you know, I'll settle for the one a year before I even knew his name. He was in my heart and in my prayers. You save a person's life. There's no greater gift. I have my child.

And both Matt and Robert have now gained new family. Well, today, Matt, who's an aspiring writer and illustrator, says he feels much stronger than he did last year. There's no sign of leukemia, and can't he also says he's very grateful to have a second chance at life. Thank you for bringing us that inspirational story. Thank you, Sarah Lee. You're welcome. For some drivers, getting to the New Jersey Shore has become a little easier this afternoon. The Easy Pass toll plus at Lakewood opened up. In addition, the new Parkway automated system is also now available at the Belmar Tom's River and Lakehurst Ramps. Today's new installations mean Easy Pass is available at toll pluses and ramps, handling nearly 90% of all Parkway traffic. Rich's Business Report is coming up shortly. He's here now to give us a preview. Rich? Okay, coming up on employment, New Jersey drops to a near record low. We'll have the numbers.

For girls of dramatic price hikes for gasoline, homeowners should get ready to pay more for natural gas and home heating oil. That's story when we come back. Thank you. Thank you. Winter is still months away with suppliers of natural gas and home heating oil are predicting higher prices when cold weather arrives. OPEC has announced the cartel has agreed to increase crude oil production by a half million barrels daily, but experts predict it won't too much to significantly bring down prices.

Analysts suggest those who use oil to heat their homes start calling local suppliers now to try and lock in preset prices. Experts say production of heating oil has slowed. Stocks at refineries and storage yards are down 30% from a year ago. As a result, oil retailers say supplies will be tight and prices will rise. There's very, very low inventory of heating oil here in the Northeast. We're dealing with about 16 million barrels of heating oil at this point compared to about 40 million normally. Right now, it doesn't look as though there's much potential for that to climb to comfortable levels. As of now, analysts are not sure whether oil will meet last year's price, which exceeded $2 a gallon, but they say it's almost certain. Come this fall, you won't find heating oil for less than $1 a gallon. We're really worried about what happens between Thanksgiving Day and, let's say, Valentine's Day. That has become the heating season, and that's become the time when we would expect that prices might spike higher.

Last year we saw prices spike higher by $0.50 to $1.25 higher than where they were, and right now it's setting up so that the same thing could happen this year. And the situation is not expected to be much better for those using natural gas or heat. PSC and G says prices have already risen, and they expect the trend to continue. Since prices at the wellhead have been kind of low over the past two years, 98, 99 production has not been real high. That's beginning to change now. So what we're seeing is more gas coming into the market, but not fast enough for the rising demand. With due regulation, gas customers can also start checking with other providers for lower prices. The state's right-payer advocate is now negotiating with suppliers to allow customers to buy in groups and potentially receive even lower rates. In other news, New Jersey's unemployment rate fell in June to a 30-year low. In fact, it's not far from the lowest rate ever. The State Labor Department says New Jersey's unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in June, 4-10th-7% lower than a month ago. The last time it was this low was back in March 1970, the only time it was lower was in January of that year when it stood at 3.2%.

The nation's unemployment rate, by the way, now stands at 4%. Economists say this is about as far as the unemployment rate can drop. It shows there's virtually full employment in the state. So far this year, the unemployment rate has been below 4% for 5 out of 6 months. Toys are us just taking steps to improve its website. The toy giant has hired two software providers to strengthen its online customer service. The company's online business has had trouble processing and tracking orders. The two computer companies are expected to fix those problems, terms of the deal were not disclosed. On Wall Street stocks, lost ground as investors walked away with profits from recent technology gains. The selling came despite several strong earnings reports and positive news on inflation. At the close, the deal industrials lost 64 points, ending the session at the 10,739 level. Among the broad markets, the IMX gained a fraction, the NASDAQ lost 97.5, the S&P 500 shed 16 and 3 quarters. Among the treasuries, the 10-year note is up 3.30 seconds.

It's sealed at 6.12%. Okay, that's business. Thank you, Rich. Still ahead tonight, we'll check the weather forecast for you coming up. But Jerry's here to give us a sports preview. Golf, the senior PGA tours in Princeton will talk to a golf legend next. If you have a comment, call 1-800-Jersey-1 or our email address. NJN News at NJN.org.

Sports now, the senior PGA tour is back in New Jersey this week. This time for the instant at classic in Princeton. It's the first major event on a brand new course, Yasna Polana. These youngsters from Trenton's first T-program got their first look at Yasna Polana today. Plus a clinic from the pros. Most of the senior tour got their first look at the Gary Player Design TPC course as well today. Which was open just two years ago. Golf legend Arnold Palmer is playing his 1,000 tournament here this week. You like the course? Yeah, it looks pretty good. All the talk this week is about the 1,000-year 1,000 tournament. What does that mean to you? What? It means a lot of years, a lot of golf. Are you looking forward to the ceremony at the end of the week? Well, not really. I would just assume they didn't make a big fuss about that. It's bad enough that it's 1,000 little one having to fuss about it. The tournament players' course was carved out of property formally owned by the Johnson & Johnson estate.

The big question coming into the week was, would it be ready? Their condition wise, the golf course is in pretty perfect condition. Being about two years old, you know, this is our first year through an event of this size. So the staff is ready, willing and able. All the golfers we talked to were either impressed by what they saw, or couldn't wait to play it for the first time. Well, the other players say it's really, really nice. A great player who designed it. It's very, very proud of it. And the entranceway is, believe it or not, it's better than the Masters. Better than a gust of driving in, so it gives you a great feeling. It certainly is a beautiful piece of property. I can imagine what a lifestyle the Johnson's used to have on this particular country. I love it because there's not a lot of houses all over the place and right next to the greens and whatnot. So I think it's a fantastic tournament, players club. The pros will be there all week, of course, with the real tournament getting underway on Friday and runs through Sunday. Beautiful course.

Thank you, Jerry. Well, we had a sunny and hot day across New Jersey today. Jerry can attest to that. He was out in the weather. Temperatures mainly in the upper 80s. Earlier though, what a day to feed some geese. And these youngsters seem to enjoy feeding them at the lake at Mercer County Park in West Windsor today. Taking a look at our ozone watch for tomorrow moderate levels in the Northeast and Southwest. Elsewhere, a gust New Jersey expect good conditions. And here's the forecast in the northern part of the state tonight. Clear skies with a low of 60 degrees tomorrow. Partly sunny, a bit cooler with a high of 80 in South Jersey tonight. Clear with lows in the mid 60s. Tomorrow, partly sunny day. The chance of a shower though in the afternoon, a high of 80 degrees. And finally, the National Association of Police Organizations is honoring a West Windsor patrol officer. With the seventh annual Top Cops Award. Lee Evans is among 13 officers being recognized for acts of bravery. Joyce Koo has more. Patrol officer Lee Evans was on his way to another assignment on New Year's Eve when he received an emergency call. When the call came in, I was only seconds from the scene there where the car went to the canal.

I was the first uniformed person to arrive. Thomas Tnett of Pemberton Township Burlington County had experienced a seizure and veered off the road here into the Delaware Raritan Canal in West Windsor. A few motorists managed to break the rear window of the car. But once the window broke out, the car went completely under. It was almost like a suction, like a vacuum type effect. And that's when he disappeared inside the car. That's when Evans dove into the icy waters and pulled the victim out to safety. Tell me it was about 40 degrees of water, but your adrenaline is pumping at that point, you really don't feel it. Lee goes out there and does an excellent job. It might not be much to patrolman Evans, but the guy that he saved in his life that he saved. And there were other people there that also helped out that day. And patrolman Evans is the first one to give them credit also for the help that they did. This year, more than 200 officers were nominated nationwide. Only 10 cases involving 13 police officers were selected for the award. It's just part of the job and just go out there and do it and it's basically reactive. Evans will be honored with fellow top cops winners at a ceremony hosted by actor Richard Belzer of homicide in Washington, D.C. on August 5th.

Joyce Koo, NJN News, West Windsor. That's NJN News for tonight. I'm Kepp Madahan for Rich and Jerry and all of us here. Thank you for being with us. We hope you'll come back and join us again tomorrow night. See you next time. Bye. Bye.

Bye. Bye. Bye.

Bye. Bye. Bye.