Everyone Is Happy when a Newarkian Gets out of Prison Early
News Item: The Newark City Council has awarded the Newark Weekly News a $100,000 no-bid contract to publish positive news about the city. The Associated Press
Here are some recent items from the Weekly News:
Wilma Johnson of South 45th Avenue reports that her geraniums have had a “stupendous” summer and a “breathtaking” fall due to the warm weather during September and October. She recently brought them in from the deck so they can spend the winter in the basement where she has remodeled a room for them. “I’ll be down in that basement two or three times a day to talk to my babies and reassure them that spring is coming,” she said. Mrs. Johnson is the wife of much-beloved City Council member George Johnson, who represents the 12th Ward.
Good news for the Doohicky family! Jasmine Doohicky received an C+ grade in her freshman remedial reading class at Essex Community College. “We knew she could do it,” said her uncle, Clyde Doohicky, executive director of Newark’s Environmental Zoning Appeals Board. The outstanding grade makes it possible for Jasmine to enroll as a full-time student next semester. She plans to major in fashion design and English literature.
There was great rejoicing at the home of former city purchasing manager Lamond Errington last week when the New Jersey State Parole Board agreed to release him three years early from his 20-year prison sentence. “I can’t tell you how thrilled we are,” said Lamond’s wife, Gloria Errington. “There’s a lot of catching up to do.” Gloria Errington, who was hired by Newark’s then-mayor Worthington Errington back in 1982 to assume her convicted husband’s position, said she isn’t “particularly worried” by reports that an Essex County grand jury is looking into city contracts that were improperly awarded by Mrs. Errington’s office. “Stuff happens,” she said, “particularly if malcontents start making up stories.”
Good News Odds and Ends: Mayor Festus Higginbotham won the Texas Shoot ‘Em poker marathon in the City Hall press room last week after the City Council meeting… Downtown Newark Rotary Club President John Eastman read the Holy Scripture at the 11 a.m. services of the Central Presbyterian Church without stumbling over any of the words… Lonely Ernie, who everyone knows as a fixture outside City Hall with his harmonica playing and outstretched baseball cap, won’t have to have his leg amputated after all.