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ASBURY PARK PRESS :: MONMOUTH EDITION

WEDNESDAY 05.27.15

Jackson Memorial
drops heartbreaker
in sectional semi
For full coverage, see SPORTS, 1C

URBAN VIOLENCE RAGES OVER WEEKEND PAGE 1B

TWO GRADES
BECOME ONE
Hazlet to combine 3rd, 4th grades in one classroom

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Moodys says high-profile governance issues have

weakened the ability of the Port Authority to raise tolls.

Port Authority
weakened by
GWB scandal,
investors say
BOB JORDAN @BOBJORDANAPP

GANNETT PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

AMANDA OGLESBY @OGLESBYAPP

illian Drive Elementary School is gearing up for a yearlong experi-

Our goal is to

ment. h Next September one classroom in the Hazlet school will

provide more of an

combine third- and fourth-graders in a plan that revitalizes an old

individualized

educational model using a modern twist. h Hazlets multi-grade class-

instructional model.

room would have one teacher who would lead students from both grades.

Its a nontraditional

The trial may lay the groundwork for the districts future. h This is a

approach.

contemporary take on the one-room schoolhouse. These students would

BERNARD F. BRAGEN JR.,

HAZLET SUPERINTENDENT

See HAZLET, Page 4A

Brain stimulation benefits Brick man

SUSAN LOYER @SUSANLOYERMYCJ
EDISON At the age of 36, John Leonard Jr. of Brick
began suffering tremors in his hands and legs, which
became more debilitating as time went on.
Diagnosed with tremor-dominant, early-onset Parkinsons disease, he was prescribed medications that
brought on complications, leading to personal and financial disaster.
I had no job and no money, he said. When I came
back to Jersey, I tried to work, but I couldnt. I lost my
family. I lost my life.
But today, the 46-year-old has a new outlook on life,
thanks to a surgical procedure he underwent last month

at JFK Medical Center.

I wish I would have done this years ago, Leonard
said after undergoing the minimally invasive surgical
procedure called deep brain stimulation. The tremors are gone. Im not confined to my room. Im not hiding it anymore or embarrassed of it. I feel like Ive gotten a second chance. Im on minimal medicine and I
feel good. Its amazing, just amazing.
Leonard was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2008
while living in Arizona. He returned to New Jersey in
2014 and went to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in
New York. For insurance reasons, he was referred to

TRENTON Gov. Chris Christie says hes moving

on from the George Washington Bridge scandal. Not
so fast, say bond investors.
In new research, Moodys Investors Service says
high-profile governance issues have weakened the
ability of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to raise tolls in the near future, which in turn could
hurt financial performance in the event the economy
slows down and traffic levels which have dropped
seven consecutive years since a 2007 peak decline
further.
The report cites the politically motivated closing of
lanes at the authority-operated bridge in 2013 which
so far have led to three indictments of people from
Christies inner circle as one of the issues adding
risk to the authoritys ability to fund its capital plan.
The Port Authoritys credit rating for consolidated
bonds is Aa3/stable, fourth-highest on the scale set by
Moodys, a major credit-rating agency.
Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said Tuesday,
Its important to note that Moodys high credit rating
given to the Port Authority has not changed.
But Moodys also dinged the authority on a pending
lawsuit by the American Automobile Association
challenging the use of toll revenue to finance construction at the World Trade Center.
It noted, too, that subpoenas have been issued by
the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission over the use of
authority funds for the Pulaski Skyway project.
Even if the authority prevails on all matters, we
believe that the political environment would make
further toll rate increases more challenging in the
near term, the report said.
Christie said earlier this month hes moving on
from the bridge scandal, which has compromised his
presidential prospects, and is done apologizing for the
actions of his former aides.
Christie doubled down last week and said media
coverage of the GWB lane-closure scandal was completely absurd compared with stories on controversies related to Hillary Clinton and suggested he is
owed an apology.

Bob Jordan: 609-984-4343, bjordan@GannettNJ.com

The report cites the politically

motivated closing of lanes at the
authority-operated bridge as one issue
adding risk to the Port Authoritys
ability to fund its capital plan.

See BRAIN, Page 6A

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