9th District Delegation Urges Turnpike Authority to Address Residents’ Concerns on Jimmie Leeds Rd. Access
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, representing the 9th Legislative District, issued a letter to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) on the tremendous concern among Galloway residents regarding access from Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Township to the commuter service area located at Garden State Parkway Interchange 41.
The 9th District Legislators recently met with residents of the Four Seasons Community in Smithville during which several objections were raised about access from Jimmie Leeds Road. At their “meet your legislators” event held at the Galloway municipal building in late February of this year, the Delegation spoke with residents about the pressing need for South Jersey to have a stronger voice on the Turnpike Authority Board after similar complaints were raised on how this interchange project will negatively impact the access from Jimmie Leeds Road.
DOT Updates 9th District Delegation and Local Mayors on Route 72-Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project
Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) provided an update on the Route 72-Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project to Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove and local mayors at a meeting held in Stafford Township. The meeting was held at the request of the 9th District Legislative Delegation.
Local officials in attendance were Surf City Mayor Leonard T. Connors, Jr., Barnegat Light Mayor Kirk Larson, Harvey Cedars Mayor Jonathan Oldham, Ship Bottom Mayor William Huelsenbeck and Stafford Mayor John Spodofora.
9th District Legislators, Mayor Purdy & Freeholder Marino Meet With Turnpike Officials on Galloway Service Area Access Issue
Responding to concerns raised by local residents at a recent town hall meeting, the 9th District Legislative Office of Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove as well as Galloway Mayor Don Purdy, and Atlantic County Freeholder At-Large Alex C. Marino met with New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials to discuss plans to construct a State Police barracks that will limit access to the Garden State Parkway service area off Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Township. A representative of the Governor’s Office also attended the meeting.
Issues discussed with Turnpike Authority representatives included concerns that continue to be raised by local residents about commuters’ access to the rest area from Jimmie Leeds Road, which is increasingly used as a park-n-ride for car pooling as gas prices are increasing at an alarming rate. Compounding this is what some residents perceive as a lack of interest from the state for public input from those who would be most affected by the change in traffic patterns.
9th District Delegation-Supported “VETeach” Pilot Program Initiative Signed Into Law
Legislation strongly supported by the 9th District Legislative Delegation to establish a pilot teacher preparation program at Richard Stockton College for veterans who served in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 was signed into law today by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno at a public signing ceremony in Atlantic City. Senator Christopher J. Connors was a prime sponsor of the legislation (S-1026/A-1294) along with Senator James Whelan and both Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove were cosponsors.
Under the law, the 36-month teacher program will lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, which would authorize the veteran to seek employment as a teacher in grades K through 8, and in certain secondary education fields. Educational expenses incurred by these eligible students will be covered under the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act,” also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Assembly Passes 9th District Delegation-Supported “VETeach” Pilot Program Initiative
Legislation that would establish a pilot teacher preparation program at Richard Stockton College for veterans who served in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 was passed today by the Assembly. Senator Christopher J. Connors is a prime sponsor of S-1026 along with Senator James Whelan. Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are cosponsors of the identical companion measure (A-1294), which has been referred to the Assembly Education Committee. Having passed both the Senate and Assembly, S-1026/A-1294 now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Under the legislation, the 36-month teacher program would lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, which would authorize the veteran to seek employment as a teacher in grades K through 8, and in certain secondary education fields. Educational expenses incurred by these eligible students will be covered under the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act,” also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Launch Online Petition to Support Legislation Strengthening Megan’s Law, Including Jessica Lunsford Act
In an effort to advance several legislative initiatives which would enhance the state’s existing sexual offender laws, 9th District Legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have launched an online petition drive for concerned constituents to sign and have a stronger voice in the legislative process.
Residents can sign the petition online at the 9th District Delegation’s legislative website: http://district9.senatenj.com/jessicas-law/
The petition centers on the Jessica Lunsford Act, also known as Jessica’s Law, which would increase penalties for those who commit sex crimes against minors and for those who harbor or conceal a sex offender. Connors, Rumpf and Gove are cosponsors of pending legislation that would enact the Jessica Lunsford Act in New Jersey.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove’s “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Bill Clears Important Committee Hurdle
The Assembly Appropriations Committee has advanced legislation (A-638) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would establish a “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use.
HOFNOD is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states.
Van Drew/Connors Measure to Provide South Jersey With Stronger Voice in Turnpike Authority Decisions Advances
Would Require at Least One Member of NJ Turnpike Authority From Atlantic, Cape May or Ocean County
Legislation sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Chris Connors aimed at providing South Jersey with a stronger voice in the decisions made by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority which operates the Garden State Parkway, a main artery in the southern part of the state, was approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
The bill (S-1654) would require that at least one of the seven appointed members of the Turnpike Authority be from the counties of Ocean, Atlantic or Cape May. The senators’ introduction of the measure followed two major projects authorized by the Turnpike Authority that caused significant concern among local residents and public officials in the Southern region of the state. One included the mass cutting of trees along the Garden State Parkway. The other was the installation of security fencing along the parkway, which the authority said was for homeland security purposes.
Connors Completes Legislator-in-Residence Program at Stockton College
Senator Christopher J. Connors, representing the 9th Legislative District, completed the third and final day of the Legislator-in-Residence Program at his alma mater, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Under the Program, members of the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly are invited to Stockton’s campus to interact with students and faculty. Senator Connors was the Legislative participant for the Spring Semester.
On his final day participating in the Program, Senator Connors met with students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” to discuss veterans’ issues. Senator Connors currently serves on the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and is a co-chairman of the New Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force.
As an invited speaker, Senator Christopher J. Connors speaks to students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” at Stockton College taught by Professor Thomas O’Donnell, Assistant Dean of Students.
Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill to Protect Privacy Rights of Accident Victims & Their Families
Legislation sponsored by 9th District Legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would make it a crime of the fourth degree for any first responder who takes one or more photographs or electronic images, or makes a video recording of an accident victim without prior written consent was passed by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Senator Connors is the prime sponsor of the legislation (S-199) in the Senate, while Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove have joined as cosponsors on the companion bill (A-789).
Senator Chris Connors testifying in support of S-199 before the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee on February 16, 2012.
