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TUESDAY 09.22.15

Dressing up
your Apple
Watch
See some of the hottest
accessories out for the trendy
smartwatch. Tech Tuesday, 6A

Troubled Rutgers program stands pat with Laviano as QB. 1C

USS Pope Motel

Walkers
departure
could help
Christie
BOB JORDAN @BOBJORDANAPP

TRENTON Its still hard to find Republican voters

who think New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie should get
the partys presidential nomination, but his showing in
last weeks debate may be prompting more people to
give him a look.
Christies favorable rating among Republicans and
independents who lean Republican is 44 percent, the
first time hes cracked 40 percent in that category in
quite some time, according to a post-debate CNN poll.
He could gain even more with another mainstream
candidate, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, announcing
Monday he is quitting the race.
Christie got good reviews for his performance in
the debate Wednesday, and Seton Hall University political scientist Matthew Hale said Christie has the potential to pick up support from fading contenders.
I think the uptick in Governor Christies favorables are because people are getting to know the other
candidates better and liking them less, Hale said.
See CHRISTIE, Page 5A

JOHN ZIOMEK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Officials with the Battleship New Jersey, which rests on the Camden Waterfront directly across the Delaware River from
Philadelphia, are renting bunking quarters to house people during the papal visit to the Pennsylvania city.

I think the uptick in Gov. Christies

favorables are because people are
getting to know the other candidates

Battleship New Jersey, now a floating museum, has

rooms (well, bunks) for rent during Francis visit

better and liking them less.

MATTHEW HALE
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

JERRY CARINO
@NJHOOPSHAVEN

CAMDEN Lodging is at a premium in the Philadelphia area this weekend as Pope Francis comes to town,
but theres one place with plenty of vacancies and a cool
experience to boot.
The Battleship New Jersey has opened its overnight
encampment program to papal pilgrims Friday and
Saturday. For $75 per night, guests get a bunk, a locker,
a tour, breakfast and dinner.
Its a unique experience, said Jack Willard, the battleships senior vice president of marketing and sales.
Youll get a feeling for one night in the Navy.
As of late last week, Willard said 40 people booked
bunks for Friday night and 50 for Saturday night. They
can accommodate up to 200 for this event and 350 for
regular encampments.
The battleship has been doing this for years Boy
Scouts, youth organizations, families, Willard said.
Our thinking was, why not open this up for guests comSee SHIP, Page 7A

Official calls fire

at tax-delinquent
site suspicious
STEPH SOLIS @STEPHMSOLIS
AND DAN RADEL @DANIELRADELAPP

JOHN ZIOMEK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Bunks aboard the Battleship New Jersey are available to

house people during the papal visit. For $75 per night, guests
get a bunk, a locker, a tour, breakfast and dinner.

Its a unique experience. Youll get a feeling for one night in the Navy.
JACK WILLARD,
BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY SENIOR VP OF MARKETING AND SALES

LONG BRANCH City officials are treating a twoalarm fire that gutted an unoccupied building at 22
Second Ave. Sunday evening as suspicious.
It was a vacant building. It had no electricity on,
and were treating it as a suspicious fire, said city
Fire Marshal Kevin Hayes.
Hayes said they havent found any evidence that
anyone was squatting illegally in the building. The
fire is still under investigation to determine the cause.
According to tax records, the building is owned by
Long Branch Partners LLC, which owns dozens of
properties in the citys lower Broadway corridor and
is tax-delinquent on at least 50.
The group owes $3,531 in 2014 taxes on the 22 Second Ave. property, which is slated for a tax sale Tuesday at City Hall, city officials said.
Long Branch Partners owes over $350,000 in 2014

INSIDE: Papal connection led New Jersey man to the priesthood and to help celebrate Mass with the current pontiff. Page 10A

See FIRE, Page 5A

GOP POWER RANKINGS: FIORINA TAKES TOP FROM TRUMP PAGE 1B

Local

Theater adds
an academy
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank has unveiled its new
Performing Arts Academy, a site that theater officials say is
intended not only for arts workshops and rehearsals but also
for free use by members of the community and arts groups. 3A

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VOLUME 136
NUMBER 227
SINCE 1879