Seeing Red Over Red-Light Cameras: A New Jersey doctor fights City Hall

By Dr. Michael Ehrenreich, MD

It takes quite a bit to get me outraged. I am a busy dermatologist in  Millburn, NJ, tending to the rashes and wrinkles of my community. I don’t  write Op-Ed pieces or spend my weekends in political protest. When Thomas Jefferson wrote that “a little  rebellion now and then is a good thing,” he was not envisioning  me.

It all started with a traffic ticket, received in the mail, featuring a  series of photographs showing a blue Chevy Traverse running a red light in  Springfield, NJ, along with a link to  a video. Upon review, there is no  doubt that the car is mine, but there is also no doubt that at the time of  the incident I was in my office seeing patients.

I figured that it would be a simple matter to plead Not Guilty. After all, if I was not the driver of the vehicle, then how could I possibly be guilty?  Since the photographs and  video do not identify an individual but only  a vehicle, it seemed impossible that the state could make a case.

In fact, I was stunned to learn that in New Jersey if your car is caught on a traffic camera running a red light that there is so-called strict liability. This means that if it is your car then you are liable, even if you testify that you were not the operator of the vehicle and even if the State cannot prove that you were.

That’s where my outrage kicks in. I am not a lawyer. I am not versed in  constitutional law. But the situation felt wrong. I pleaded Not Guilty—if  the State has a case, I figured, let them make it. I started researching  New Jersey’s red light camera program in preparation for my day in court.  Not surprisingly, I discovered that there’s money at stake. Quite a bit of  it.

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Pallone: End the shutdown so my wife can go back to work

Congressman Frank Pallone held a press conference at the EPA’s Edison Lab on Monday, ostensibly  to highlight how the “Republican” government shutdown is negatively impacted the middle class and is putting the environment at risk.

“It is now day 14 of the reckless Republican government shutdown that was orchestrated by extreme factions of the GOP to drive their agenda and drive us all into a national crisis. Shutting down the government hurts our economy and threatens middle-class jobs as shown right here at the Edison EPA Lab, where 100 furloughed workers have been forced to stop their work on New Jersey’s Superfund sites, among other critical environmental programs”

“I’m outraged that the GOP shutdown is putting the health and safety of New Jerseyans at risk. This is no way to run the government”

Pallone neglected to mention that his wife is the Deputy Associate Administrator of the EPA.

If Steve Lonegan manages to pull off an upset today and defeat Cory Booker in the Special U.S. Senate election to replace the late Frank Lautenberg, Pallone is a very likely candidate to challenge Lonegan for a full senate term next year.

For those moderate Republicans planning to write in someone besides Lonegan or to sit out the election, vote for Lonegan if only to open up the NJ CD 6 Congressional seat next year.

A vote for Lonegan sends Booker to Hollywood, after he finishes his term as Newark’s mayor, and makes Pallone a lobbyist.

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Round 2: Christie-Buono Debate

Governor Chris Christie and his Democratic opponent in the November 5 general election, State Senator Barbara Buono, will face off in their second and final debate tonight from 8PM till 9:30PM.

The debate will be broadcast live from Montclair State University on NJTV and CSpan.

It will be livestreamed via YouTube here.

NJTV’s Mike Schneider will be the moderator.

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RUMSON: REHAB HOUSE FOCUS OF COMPLAINTS

RUMSON: REHAB HOUSE FOCUS OF COMPLAINTS (via redbankgreen)

The Rumson house where a man was found dead of a suspected drug overdose Sunday quietly became an addiction recovery residence in August, neighbors say. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Nestled in a quiet Rumson neighborhood still recovering from…

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Opinion: The Federal Government Shutdown, Looking at the Longer Run (via NJSpotlight)

Opinion: The Federal Government Shutdown, Looking at the Longer Run (via NJSpotlight)

Even as Congress and the president took the first tentative steps toward a debt-ceiling deal last week, the press was already declaring who won the budget showdown (Obama) and who lost it (Republicans). That could well turn out to be the case, but a…

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Second man dies in hospital overnight from Newark shooting

Second man dies in hospital overnight from Newark shooting (via NJ.com)

Google Maps NEWARK — The second victim of a shooting in the South Ward died overnight from his wounds, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said. Rajohn McClain, 22, died at University Hospital at 3:38 a.m., said Thomas Fennelly, the county’s…

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Let me be clear, vote on Wednesday, vote on Wednesday, vote on Wednesday

Republicans and moderate-right Independents planning to sit out tomorrow’s election should view this video twice.

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What can we learn from Booker-Lonegan primaries?

What can we learn from Booker-Lonegan primaries? (via NJ.com)

By Frederick Kaimann/The Star-Ledger With the general election for the open U.S. Senate seat tomorrow, what clues do Cory Booker and Steve Lonegan’s primary wins reveal for the Wednesday’s outcome? Both won their primaries handily. Lonegan, the former…

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Senate leaders appear close to US debt ceiling deal

Senate leaders appear close to US debt ceiling deal (via AFP)

With a potential debt default looming, Senate leaders appear close to a deal to avoid a self-inflicted political calamity that would shred US credibility and rock the global economy. Senate Republicans are scheduled to convene Tuesday at noon to review…

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Immediate Care Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

HAZLET – Launching one year ago, Immediate Care Medical Walk-in of  Hazlet has serviced thousands of patients in the past year. The 1.5  million dollar, state of the art,  4500 square foot medical facility  with 10 examination rooms,  a digital X-Ray room, along with a phlebotomy lab, launched12 months ago to help the medical needs of area residents.

“Our first year in the community received a wonderful response,” stated Medical Director, Dr. Lisa Golding-Granado, MD.

“We provide 98% of the top medical services that people regularly  need,” said  Dr. Golding-Granado, “we  treat  urgent care issues  such  as  infections, migraines, minor injuries and lacerations, or primary  care services such as checking for diabetes, blood pressure and providing physicals.”

Other services include the following: vaccines, Echo and Aortic Ultrasounds,  Sleep Apnea Testing, Medication Metabolism Testing (DNA), Nerve  Conduction Testing, Diabetic Education, Weight Loss Programs, School,  Sports and DOT Physicals.

The facility is open 84 hours a week, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.

The grand opening of the medical center one year ago brought forth  top dignitaries, mayors, state legislators and freeholders to the  facility. Some of the successful events that happened in Immediate  Care’s first year included a blood drive, the Relay for Life Walk, the Union Beach 5K Run, a Day of Health and Hurricane  Prepardness, along with the VNA of Central NJ , as well as participating in the Hazlet Community Day.

As Immediate Care prepares for its second year in  business, the  facility is preparing to serve more patients and expand its current set  of activities and services.

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