C L I P S: Daylight kidnapping foiled.. Confusion surrounds Muhlenberg services.. Bernice, Maria on BOE.. Home invasions continue..

PLAINFIELD

"Once more with the Robinson-Briggs bodyguards. Oy."

Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice on the BOE: stir pot, save pots of money and 2008 a record mosquito year. Maria notes an escalating wave of home invasions, and what has changed and has not with the BOE. Olddoc awards a world-record to the Council's agenda session and wryly reviews the new Courier News. PEP is looking to fill some board slots and for legal assistance. Everyone else is on hiatus, it seems.

Kidnapping Foiled: "Cell call from victim in trunk leads cops to kidnappers" -- Courier | Ledger | -- Is the Clinton Avenue Posse involved? No mention in these stories.
2007 Murder: "Plainfield man gets 7 years in death of live-in boyfriend" -- Courier | Ledger |
Muhlenberg: "Confusion surrounds hospital services after closure"
Voting Machines: "Judge orders tight security for voting machines" -- Including Union County's.

Market Meltdown & Hospitals: "Disappearing credit forces hospitals to delay improvements"
Infrastructure: "Water main break a pain for J.C." -- Some mains are up to 125 years old. Plainfield's is old too, but in better shape?
Alternative Energy: "Solar array powers Trenton parking deck"
Veterans: "State tells vets it's OK to need help -- and ask for it"

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES: The following street patterns changed 10/9/2008 as a result of ongoing NJT overpass work on the Raritan Valley line --

CLOSED: Central Avenue [Northbound/Southbound].
OPEN:

Southbound: Madison Avenue, New Street.
Northbound: Liberty Street.
All underpasses East of Madison and West of Liberty.

Today - October 15. 7:30 PM. Cultural & Heritage Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.
Today - October 15. 9 PM. Third Presidential Debate. Obama and McCain at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Moderated by Bob Schieffer, host of Face the Nation. This debate will focus on domestic and economic policy.
Tomorrow - October 16. 7 PM. Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting. The Superintendent and other district leaders will share the exciting programs and activities planned for the new school year, and engage the community in a dialog. (See agenda here.) Hosted by Superintendent Steve Gallon III. At Clinton School, West 4th Street and Clinton Avenue. All are welcome!
Tomorrow - October 16. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.
Saturday - October 18. 8 AM - 2 PM. Household Special Waste Collection. Items accepted include: Batteries, tires (limit 8/household), propane tanks, paints & varnishes, aerosol cans, and more. (See full list, including conditions and exclusions here.) Sponsored by Union County. At Union County College, Springfield Avenue, Cranford. Pre-registration NOT required, but proof of Union County residence is. Info: (908) 654-9889.
Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 4 PM. FOSH Fall Garage Sale. By popular demand, Plainfield's oldest, biggest and best community garage sale is being offered in a Fall setting. Participating homes will be identified with balloons. Woodland, Watchung or Leland Avenues are good places to start as you work your way around -- or you can just pull over wherever you see a crowd. A not-to-be-missed Plainfield event attended by thousands yearly. FOSH is a nonprofit grassroots community organization. Among the activities it supports are scholarships to a graduating PHS senior, scholarships for classes at duCret Art School, maintenance of Leland Avenue Park and beautification of the Netherwood Train Station. Rain or shine. FREE.
Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual 'HAL' Yard Sale. 'HAL' -- the Homeless Animal Lifeline -- does exactly what its name implies: helps homeless animals. Come on out for this annual multi-household yard sale to benefit HAL. Furniture, housewares, collectibles and more. At: 1326 Watchung Avenue.
Monday - October 20. 9:30 AM Registration. 'Last Chance 2008' Golf Outing: Benefit of the Tri-County Red Cross. 18 holes w/golf cart, full clubhouse access. Prizes and team awards. Brunch and dinner receptions, open bar cocktail hour, silent auction. $250/golfer ($100 tax deductible). To reserve your foursome, call Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or visit www.tricountyredcross.org/lastchance.
Monday - October 20. 8 PM. City Council Business Meeting. City Council Chambers/Courthouse. Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street.

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CENTRAL JERSEY

Stender/Lance Race: "Stender and Lance square off in sharp debate" -- Ledger | Gannett |
Branchburg: "Ex-GOP treasurer admits theft of party monies"
Perth Amboy: "Ex-mayor Vas claims new mayor's layoffs target his supporters"
Roselle Park: "Developer proposes scaling back apartment project"

STATE

2008 Presidential Race --

Rolls: "NJ voter rolls swell -- 400,000 new voters since Feb. primary"
Polls: "Rutgers/Eagleton Poll: NJ's Asian-Americans prefer Obama" -- Ledger | Gannett |

The Economy --

Ledger: "State GOP pushes for sales tax holiday"
Editorial, CN: "Tax break discussion can't avoid consequences"

Bergen County Corruption: "GOP bigwig alleged a 'secret partner' of Dem chair Ferriero"
Business: "Linens 'n Things hangs it up, seeks liquidation"
Foreclosures: "Mercer County foreclosure rate creeps up" -- Union already among the worst.
Phony Phone Call: "Corzine faked into coming to phone for 'Norcross' call"
Rutgers Stadium: "Schiano says stadium expansion will be completed" -- Ledger | Gannett |
Taxes: "Poll: Jerseyans want lower taxes, government overhaul"
Witness Intimidation?: "Slaying sends shockwaves through gang trial"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.

NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --

FactCheck: For a daily analysis of the latest spin from either campaign see the non-partisan FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
Debate: "Moderator Schieffer steps up to plate"
Dems: "Obama drowning out McCain in ads" | "Dems have wide registration lead in key states"

GOP: "Polls: McCain attacks turn off voters" -- | McClatchy | NYTimes |
Palin: "Palin's poll ratings: The view from London" | "Palin's ethics: A checkered history"

Banking Infusion:

John Farmer: "In Bush bailout, echoes of Marx" -- I respect Farmer greatly, but he is NO SCHOLAR OF MARX.
Treasury Moves: "Buying stock in banks ends Reagan era"
Community Banks: "NJ's community banks want a pass" | "Smaller banks resist Federal infusions"
Analysis: "Regulators: Failed or Handcuffed? Both."