[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5976053,"mediaKeyId","5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c","parentId",5821763,"title","Resident urges county to implement AG directive after fatal 2021 shooting of veteran","audioSeconds",214,"startMs",2190000,"endMs",2404000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c&start=2190&end=2404","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c/thumbnail_2190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976053/Sussex-County/New-Jersey/Resident-urges-county-to-implement-AG-directive-after-fatal-2021-shooting-of-veteran","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976053-18f3f4eee7c1676c6de4ed1ddb4f50e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163215&Signature=Df01HfHn~cCMyeAepbmv4vOIuiQjPUl~iLBz0pmSVVelM90N25NkxR1jxNBlXFrN7PRLgvfWexLAIRsWAfDF2XCE8JOOpa~eiWvgww9l2tUNuujSzcuIE6H~tNiJX2V8yYofm42OnAJ0f4JgPwBYPFQBUZKo187PQZdi8XnJLsGnbE-~1Dgm3p9n6HvSXqyF80X-PpjG~qF35rvqyBaSS-0e-HbgkBzEa4ZSUHUa1CmtWC-PkR1DPs8nDwGTN6wIGTgZF1cbWKJL6AgHCuYSxUhAMkjKAqkbDliWSDzC6MeBHFgkxI2YM8XsqtInBo-ZOIiXqlcpRguKTHbyAw3bug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","County of Sussex, NJ","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Ken Collins of Andover Township used the Sept. 24 public-comment period to call for thorough implementation of a New Jersey Attorney General directive on law-enforcement responses to mental-health crises, citing the 2021 fatal shooting of Major Gulia (Gulia) Dowd III by Newton police officers Steve Needle and Garrett Armstrong.

Collins said the officers arrived around 9:40 p.m. on July 4, 2021, and that body-camera video shows the officers exited their patrol cars with lethal firearms drawn as Major Dowd was backing out of his driveway. Collins argued that a nonlethal response or de‑escalation training could have avoided the shooting and told the board he feared the county had not implemented Attorney General guidance issued Dec. 21, 2020.

Collins referenced “New Jersey attorney general law enforcement directive number 2020-14,” which he said tasked the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office with convening a county working group to develop protocols and programs to support law-enforcement responses to mental-health crises. Collins said he had supplied a copy of the directive to the commissioners at the meeting and urged them to ensure training and protocols are in place.

Why it matters: Collins framed the issue as a public-safety and training gap for officers responding to people in mental-health crisis, particularly veterans with PTSD. He asked the commissioners to confirm the county’s implementation of state guidance.

What the board did: the comment was heard during the public-comment portion of the meeting; commissioners did not take formal action during the session and the record shows no immediate response other than acknowledgment of the speaker.

Ending: Collins asked commissioners to ensure county law enforcement receives appropriate training and for the prosecutor’s office to fulfill the directive’s working-group requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 24, 2025 Return from Executive Meeting Board of Sussex County Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","A resident urged Sussex County officials to ensure county law enforcement follows New Jersey Attorney General directive 2020-14 after recounting the 2021 fatal shooting of Major Gulia Dowd III by Newton police officers.","taxTitle","Sussex County, New Jersey","taxId",14529,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5976058,"Commissioners discuss rumor of prosecutor's office move; parking and space questioned",65,2021000,2086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c&start=2021&end=2086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c/thumbnail_2021000.jpg","/articles/5976058/Sussex-County/New-Jersey/Commissioners-discuss-rumor-of-prosecutors-office-move-parking-and-space-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976058-7635f7da1f0a32ac13c5da22ac9a82d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163214&Signature=opt9X23RXfWstIsqwVSCWejQ2DFYA~hIbL1wtCCs8mJDis9T9x6y7lxoDeSZVC8MUSR3ojGrFFYp~tA7HuTqIlI6LP5OS44CVljMTbvhMaQXRFJGhY3APZ0YXSMs6ebZSxbW0h9UDIOGyQEoeGMEZxyxlVWexSdP0WDAqdCQIoDsQIFWRYXNcGXNRoNX8HqEHi~cGP78o5gFNZdsETMpKxxwuIv3zuT9KL-FXmxamq9~sGodPUoSDRyVyHBM6W6EI0HfxMY7Ih1tzo5dqCNMpdGwRXqagKV5xCyfHkFHMGhO9LiyvFxwGvo6wHNsaTS6KodDm9hDE7feR1Us~GZUTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Sussex County commissioner raised a rumor at the Sept. 24 meeting that the county prosecutor’s office had expressed interest in relocating to a bank building recently purchased by the county. The commissioner said the building is about 5,700 square feet, with a proposed 2,000-square-foot addition discussed, and that current county records list the prosecutor's office occupying about 13,000 square feet.

The commissioner described parking constraints at the bank building property: 26 single spots, 10 double (tandem) spaces and one handicap space — a total of about 47 spots — and questioned how parking would accommodate 50–60 prosecutor's office employees. The speaker asked whether overflow parking would rely on the county parking garage or additional permits at the Cochran Building.

County leaders said the rumor stemmed from a request by the prosecutor and emphasized that nothing is in writing and no decisions have been made. Commissioners said they want to understand long-range county facility needs before making short-term moves.

Why it matters: relocating a county office for a large staff has implications for space planning, parking, and budget. Commissioners emphasized the need for a countywide facilities plan rather than ad hoc moves.

Next steps: commissioners requested further information about space, parking and the county’s multi-year facility plan before any proposal proceeds. No formal action was taken at the meeting.","A commissioner reported a rumor that the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office might relocate to a recently purchased bank building and raised concerns about square footage and parking; officials said the idea originated as a request from the prosecutor and no decisions have been made.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5976062,"County staff propose rule changes to Trails Grant Program to increase award sizes and ease matching requirements",120,1696000,1816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c&start=1696&end=1816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c/thumbnail_1696000.jpg","/articles/5976062/Sussex-County/New-Jersey/County-staff-propose-rule-changes-to-Trails-Grant-Program-to-increase-award-sizes-and-ease-matching-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976062-6524290a4c3c5261267e9413f6c8fec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163214&Signature=BI44havbrDgLle4-vXUh6YdYuyTbUNWD-eom8GOjU69Nlai6-XDwFbbjs3DbsJ7QcyzS9s~0~2t8h~B9ti9JcYSo5ngTG53~eHNiJesSMSLJu6MRmZ5pOW~bm~hatiXhktlzKZroaEUmDt8f1Kcf3ux7qL7XPaxwU30yPjRCcLZqIG3QNL08X~NIVgyn63lmvmwDYWieFiTDM7WTx~~dyaeudWkyZ~CtbsgjGkPalQ0OrsY0hcJALA3qSTMrdbHwK2mPc0FnJzud2iU07t~9Jkuja66E8SAFrvZk3V23hbXQZOZtdEKSSHP0LhXQbqPblxr6WnDNLAFNTCxmVtxgoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sussex County planning staff presented proposed modifications to the county Trails Grant Program that would increase grant award caps, lower matching requirements and simplify application procedures.

Ron, a division representative at the meeting, said the county had worked with municipalities to identify barriers and drafted changes to make trust-fund money easier to use. Proposed modifications include lowering the required municipal match, permitting professional and design fees as eligible match, allowing a single application to include multiple project elements or locations and replacing a strict 12-month construction completion requirement with a project time frame specified in the grant agreement.

The proposal would raise award limits: for a single municipal applicant from $5,000 to $25,000; for two municipalities partnering from $15,000 to $50,000; awards above $50,000 for three or more applicants would be considered case by case.

Why it matters: the program is funded by the Sussex County Farmland Preservation, Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund and supports construction, rehabilitation, restoration and maintenance of publicly owned shared‑use trails. County staff said the changes respond to municipal feedback that prior awards were insufficient for intended projects.

Next steps: the Open Space Advisory Committee and the trust board are scheduled to consider the modifications; county planning will distribute additional information to municipalities and formal rules are expected to return to the commissioners for adoption in a future meeting.

Ending: Commissioners and staff discussed timing of documents and a commissioner raised concern that the draft was first delivered to the board late the same day it was presented; staff said the item will be on an open-space committee agenda for formal consideration.","Division of Planning presented proposed updates to the Sussex County Trails Grant Program to increase grant caps, reduce municipal matching requirements and allow broader eligibility for matching funds; the changes will be considered by the trust board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5976067,"Commissioners authorize administrator to offer proposed contract to PBA 138 sheriff's unit",17,2161000,2178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c&start=2161&end=2178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821763-8943212ada77949142105cba7162ea0c/thumbnail_2161000.jpg","/articles/5976067/Sussex-County/New-Jersey/Commissioners-authorize-administrator-to-offer-proposed-contract-to-PBA-138-sheriffs-unit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976067-75f12c9044e46e348c955ae66329c72e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163214&Signature=YJUjrsBzqhmnablq3dN~5PsdBgnh8-U21tWjchr9pqRKsZn1v5N1XeCJ7Vv~ph5f9RO6C9E8-uW83DZq06u7SlNOGJ~WzzdTxFzLfIZ9kk4bi8VqCBcDGedSgNqOlf~stUiehpInd7IAwUvwUJsAxk8rNhs9vClWZ~5PUmqPuvth4ycrHZ9GMAcAsZ7J~woRxtBMK8CijtlJdNa0BnVIVvnhOGFXF9qDIyojT--rUJ7~NIo~h95LNL4xJd0pPcKiAuieauyI2kleWdvPhB2BjDwlI8mzADngMZComP03aYlWuveRVRH17L-KHB139~gnurAAW-ZTTDV7DT7VAjG-KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sussex County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24 authorized the county administrator to offer a proposed labor contract to the PBA 138 sheriff's unit covering a 2025–2027 memorandum of agreement. The board approved the motion by roll call after a request from the commissioners to implement terms negotiated with the bargaining unit.

The item was introduced under unfinished business and a motion to authorize the administrator to present the proposed contract was made and seconded. Deputy Director Space, Commissioner DeGroot and Commissioner Henderson voted in favor; Commissioner Hayden was absent. Director Chris Carney voted in favor when the roll call was completed.

Why it matters: approving the authorization starts the process that would allow the county administrator to extend a formal offer to the sheriff’s bargaining unit; it does not itself finalize a signed contract. Commissioners described the vote as implementing terms outlined during ongoing negotiations.

What was decided: the board authorized the administrator to offer the proposed contract and memorandum of agreement. The motion carried on the roll call recorded during the meeting.

Discussion and next steps: commissioners discussed that the item originated from prior executive-session negotiations and that the authorization is procedural — enabling the administrator to present the offer to the bargaining unit. No signed contract was presented on the floor; the meeting record shows the board authorized the offering action only.

Ending: The authorization was adopted at the Sept. 24 meeting; any final agreement would require subsequent approval steps and, if executed, appear in future meeting records.","The Sussex County commissioners voted to authorize the county administrator to offer a proposed contract to PBA 138 (sheriff's unit) covering 2025–2027; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with one absence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges county to implement AG directive after fatal 2021 shooting of veteran

Commissioners discuss rumor of prosecutor's office move; parking and space questioned

County staff propose rule changes to Trails Grant Program to increase award sizes and ease matching requirements

Commissioners authorize administrator to offer proposed contract to PBA 138 sheriff's unit