Buono Says Christie is Weak on Gun Control

Gubernatorial candidate speaks in Newark Monday about the 'scourge' of gun violence

The likely Democratic candidate for governor accused incumbent Chris Christie on Monday of supporting "shallow" gun control legislation in order to avoid alienating conservatives elsewhere in the country. “This governor calibrates every decision he makes with an eye towards 2016. He calibrates every decision he makes with an eye towards making sure it plays well with voters in the cornfields of Iowa, instead of standing up for what’s right for the people and neighborhoods of New Jersey,” state Sen. Barbara Buono  (D-Middlesex) said during a press conference held at Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark. Buono is expected to win next month’s primary, but is an underdog in the November governor’s race against the popular Christie, who is …

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This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Booker: 'Leading Newark Is the Greatest Challenge of My Life'

Cory Booker says community collaboration is the secret to Newark's progress, in this series sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. As the mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Cory Booker says he understands the importance of leadership. But he especially acknowledges the importance of inspiring and engaging local leaders to assist in achieving community goals. Q. PATCH: What is the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?   A. BOOKER: Leading Newark is the greatest challenge of my life, but it’s not a policy challenge.  I’m proud we’ve notched victories — fought to improve education, create jobs and cut crime. But the challenge has been the…

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Newark Mayor Booker Speaks To, Inspires Montclair Students

Mayor Booker 'set a tone for the rest of the evening that was so inspiring for us as young students,' said Montclair High School senior and President of the Civics and Government Institute Jake Ephros.

Students in Montclair High School's Civics and Government Institute were addressed by Newark Mayor Cory Booker at its 14th annual state dinner on April 10 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. Booker’s address focused on how small acts of kindness can change the world. He told personal stories from his family and youth encouraging students to acknowledge those who fought for freedom and justice before them and to continue the work by caring about others. “His emphasis on how we’re the next generation and how we can’t just sit around living off of what our parents have given us, how we have to take it and make it better, was pretty inspiring,” said Montclair High School senior Eliza Jacobson. CGI President and Montclair High School senior Jake …

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Booker Urges Support for Lautenberg, Despite his Interest in Senate Seat

Mayor wants senator's blessing for 2014 campaign

  Despite declaring interest in Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s job and registering a “Booker for Senate” campaign with federal election officials last week, Newark Mayor Cory Booker said Monday he was not trying to poach any of the veteran lawmaker’s support. Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Booker said his focus during the next year will be on his current job, including hiring more police officers and overseeing an estimated $1 billion in investment destined for the state’s largest city. His campaign for Senate in 2014 is only in the “preliminary stages,” he said. After months during which Booker deliberated over whether to run for governor against Republican Chris Christie, the 43-year-old mayor announced in December his decision to instead …

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Judge: City Must Surrender Emails About $100M School Donation

A judge ordered Wednesday for the City of Newark to make public 36 emails about the $100 million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made in 2010.

  An Essex County Superior Court judge has ordered Newark officials to handover emails about the $100 million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made to the city’s schools in 2010.   The Wednesday ruling said the city must release 36 emails exchanged between Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Superintendent of Schools Cami Anderson and other public officials about the donation.   City officials did not immediately repsond to a request for comment Thursday. The ruling, issued by Judge Rachel Davidson, came after the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey sued the city in August 2011 calling for more transparency about the $100 million pledge. The ACLU sued the city on behalf the Secondary Parent Council, a group of Newark parents.  The …

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Report: Booker Leaning Toward Senate Run

Mayor would go for Lautenberg's seat in '14, paper says

  The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Newark Mayor Cory Booker appears likely to seek the US Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg.  At a July appearance in Bergen County, Booker confirmed long-held suspicions he might be seeking higher office, announcing his interest in running either for Senate or against popular Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Earlier this month, Booker vowed to make his decision before Christmas.   In an October poll, Booker had the strongest showing among a hypothetical field of Democrats against Christie, with the mayor coming within a few percentage points of the first-term governor. But a subsequent poll, taken after Christie’s widely praised performance during Hurricane Sandy, …

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Booker Talks Governor Run, Food Stamp Challenge [Video]

Booker to HuffPo Live: "When I go out and campaign next year for myself as a gubernatorial candidate or for another gubernatorial candidate should I decide not to run..."

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Cory Booker's Weekly Grocery Bill: $29.78

Mayor preparing for 'Food Stamp Challenge' beginning Tuesday

  Mayor Cory Booker said Saturday he has completed his weekly grocery shopping in preparation for the “SNAP challenge,” a pledge to temporarily live off a food budget equal to that received by people enrolled in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Booker, who will be taking the challenge from Dec.4 to Dec. 11, said he spent exactly $29.78, a shade less than he was entitled to based on 2011 data from the program. In New Jersey last year, the average SNAP participant received about $133 a month, or a little more than $4 a day. Booker’s involvement arose out of an exchange last month on one of the mayor’s preferred methods of communication, Twitter. Responding to a North Carolina woman who tweeted “nutrition is not the …

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County News: Chaos Breaks Out at Newark City Hall Following Controversial Vote

Police subdue angry members of audience following attempt to replace Payne on council

  The Newark Municipal Council meeting ended in chaos Tuesday after Mayor Cory Booker tried to cast the deciding vote in favor of a replacement for former Council President Donald Payne, who was elected to Congress earlier this month. One man, Earl Best, a community activist known as Street Doctor, was hospitalized after being sprayed by police with pepper spray, he said after being released from University Hospital. South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka said his mother had also been sprayed. Baraka said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos called for a vote on Shanique Speight. Baraka, Councilwoman-at-Large Mildred Crump and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif then left the dais after Ramos failed to acknowledge a motion by Baraka. West Ward …

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