Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 1

1 mk Special section: Summertime preview of coming attractions Election poll: McGreevey, Franks a dead heat in race for J. governor There's plenty to do throughout region after conceits end at Tweeter Center ll South Jersey's Newspaper www.courierpostonline.com Friday, May 4, 2001 50 Cents Senate approves amendments to public records access bill per Investigations. "It was not so much disagreements in concept, but it was extremely difficult to reduce it to legalese," bill sponsor Sen. Robert Martin, R-Morris, said after the 33-0 vote on amendments that finally satisfied all parties. "This was a very reassuring vote." The Senate is set to vote By LILO H.

STAINTON Gannett State Bureau TRENTON The Senate unanimously approved changes Thursday to a bill that would improve access to governmental records after months of difficult debate now that the bill has support from journalists, prosecutors and document denials. The amendments establish a 13-member "privacy commission" to review public access issues and report to the Legislature in 18 months. The new version seals individual files kept by victims' rights agencies and maintains the current law on criminal investigation files, which are also closed. countless other documents. The new law would allow public scrutiny of all records not specifically excluded through executive order or legislative resolution.

It also puts a seven-day limit for government agencies to respond to requests and forces government agencies to pay legal fees for citizens who successfully challenge any on the revised bill May 14, Martin said, after which the legislation will return to the Assembly. "Once this bill becomes law it will become an opportunity for people to have insight into the workings of government," said John O'Brien, executive director of the New Jersey Press Association, which has pushed for changes since the 1980s. While the group did not get all the provisions it sought especially on access to criminal investigation files O'Brien said the amended bill is a big improvement over existing law. Currently, the public can view only records required by law to be kept not staff memos, policy drafts and crime victims. While newspapers and citizens' advocacy groups have long railed against New Jersey's notoriously weak public access law, momentum to open more government records slowed this winter when crime victims raised concerns about privacy and police officers feared changes would ham Pressimre on Vemiero intensifies IHace fauns bid farewell to (Sardemi Stafle Pact Wistful memories, last live races draw crowd By KATHY HENNESSY Gannett State Bureau TRENTON Assembly Democrats introduced a bill Thursday to move articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Peter Verni-ero while the Senate overwhelmingly asked him to reconsider resignation.

The impeachment bill, which lists six charges against Verniero, has support from all 35 Assembly Democrats, according to its sponsor, Assemblyman William Payne, D-Essex. If six Republicans join them, the Democrats say they can force the Assembly to move ahead with impeachment despite a decision last week by Speaker Jack Collins not to pursue it. 4 -1 MM gfr. $jt iA By EILEEN SMITH Courier-Post Staff CHERRY HILL On the last day of racing at Garden State Park, the salvation the beleaguered track had been waiting for finally arrived throngs of cheering, betting fans. But the show of nostalgia came too late for Garden State, which will be torn down to make way for townhouses, stores and offices.

"I'm going down with the ship," said security guard Charlotte Mader of Bellmawr, who choked back tears as the filly Peg Rushton galloped across the finish line in the final race. More than 4,000 fans four times the average attendance applauded in the stands. Thursday afternoon, the regular crowd of elderly men was joined by the fans Garden State wooed unsuccessfully for years families, young adults and women of all ages. "All the old-timers are here, of course," said Manny Kagle of Philadelphia, 83. "Today is the day our Social Security checks arrive in the mail." The end of live racing Photos by JOSE F.

MORENOCourier-Post Nick Santagata enters the winner's circle aboard Peg Rushton, winner of the last race in the long, Illustrious history of Garden State Park. A large crowd (above) turned out Thursday to say goodbye to the landmark track. Camden school chief criticized over pacts More coverage on Pages 6A-7A Last bets placed at Garden State. Track CEO Orbann moves Peg Rushton wins final race. Timeline of track's history.

Auction set for park items. Photo display of last race day. "One member of the Legislature does not have the right to block the entire Assembly from exercising its impeachment duties," said co-sponsor Joseph Charles, D-Hudson, chairman of the Black and Latino Caucus. But Collins, R-Salem, said the bill would not change his mind about allowing the impeachment to be heard, even if faced with unanimous support from Democrats, though he has asked Verniero to voluntarily resign. In the other house, the Senate voted 37-1 for a resolution saying Verniero should resign if the Assembly doesn't proceed with impeachment Resignation resolution viewed as stronger than censure.

8A in the public part of Monday's meeting whether the contracts existed. At that time, Knox said "no," McGee recalled Thursday. At least three other board members also remembered Knox's denial in the public session. A tape of the meeting was not immediately available for review. "It disturbs me," McGee said.

"I don't want to sec her fired or anything (but there) should be some sort of reprimand I know some people want to see the head on the chopping block." An examination of state statutes indicates that the board is supposed to sign such contracts for the dis- See KNOX, Page 8A A businessperson suggested he run as the "blue ribbon" candidate and a Haddonfield tradition was born. "I felt yard signs weren't appropriate for Haddonfield," said Tarditi, 60, an insurance executive who also was mayor for 16 years and is running again this year. "It adds a little lightness to the campaign. The bows are much more attractive." Not that yard signs are See BOWS, Page 9A Tomorrow Rowan students clean up historic graveyard. Tenn.

nurse wins Outback 'Survivor' ERPosTon1ine.com Visit our Web site for track photos from the past. MULTIMEDIA Log on to watch a video of the last race and to get a 360-degree iPIX view of the track. TINA WESSON Time to vote yiiiL sM She was hugged by Donaldson, whose final miscalculation picking Wesson to be the finalist with him ultimately cost him the million-dollar prize. Donaldson won $100,000. Once again, the network managed to keep the show's winner a secret, despite filming last fall.

The final votes were By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press NEW YORK Tina Wesson, the sweet-talking nurse from Tennessee, joined Richard Hatch in the Survivor millionaires club on Thursday. The 40-year-old mother of two from Knoxville outlasted Colby Donaldson, the heart on. Garden State Park Racing to the finish counted live on the air Thursday; even the contestants weren't sure who would take the $1 million prize. "I never thought I could get this far," Wesson said when she was one of the three remaining contestants with Donaldson and Keith Famie, the chef from West Bloomfield, Mich. A preview of Tuesday's elections In several area towns.

IB Homeowners haven't staked signs in their front yards to proclaim support for the candidates of their choice in Tuesday's election. But there are colored bows. Lots of them. That's just how candidates campaign in this borough of 11,659 people, a place that cares deeply about its image. The tradition of an elec- Index i was similarly routine.

There was no fanfare and no ceremony beyond the presentation of a crystal bowl to Peg Rushton's beaming owners as a dozen fans squeezed into the official photograph. Simulcasting contin- See FAREWELL, Page 7A throb Texan, to become a future pop-culture trivia answer as the winner of the Outback edition of television's favorite game show. Wesson watched live in a Los Angeles studio as the votes from fellow contestants were counted and she was the winner. "Oh, my God," she exclaimed after winning the 4-3 vote. A BC THE WORLD SPORTS SOUTH JERSEY HOME By KATHY MATHESON Courier-Post Staff CAMDEN Superintendent Annette Knox signed about $8.5 million in curriculum-related contracts without school board approval, a violation of state regulations, board members said Thursday.

Members said Knox told them Monday night in closed session that she signed deals with two educational companies: a three-year, $8 million contract with Compass Learning and a one-time $500,000 contract with Lightspan, both for technology -based materials. The private disclosure came hours after member Robert McGee asked Knox ti, who was running for reelection, wanted exposure but didn't want to put up yard signs. 4C 9C 80 Weather 2A TODAY HIGH 90 TOMORROW 79 LOW 44 Hues and views: Haddonfield candidates campaign with bows 'l Ml- i. i Elections will be held Tuesday for: Mayor and three council members in the city of Camden. Two council members in Evesham.

Three commissioners in Haddonfield. Three commissioners in Collingswood Three commissioners in Audubon. Two commissioners in Bordentown City. By MICHAEL T. BURKHART Courier-Post Staff HADDONFIELD At first glance, this doesn't look like a community about to hold its most crowded borough commissioner election in recent memory.

Telephone poles, trees and storefronts along Kings Highway and Had-don Avenue aren't plastered with cardboard campaign posters. TINA MARKOE KINSLOWCourier-Post Candidates' bows decorate a Haddonfield storefront where Sherl Katz of Cherry Hill relaxes Thursday. tion without posters and signs dates to 1989. That's when then-Mayor and Commissioner Jack Tardi- Movies TCXF Scoreboard Obituaries 48 Stocks People 2A Television A GANNETT NEWSPAPER 3 0 301 IS CLASSIFIED TWEETER TGIF REAL ESTATE WEEKEND Astrology 9D Crossword 9D Business 8C Dear Abby 120 Comics 11D Editorials 20A V7 (dDljiD (iliJ UlDml Cc3 Ccma biTcdcy to Any cl Crr 203 For the Rest of Hur Life'.