Ristorante Ottorino Finds Utopia In Trenton

Local Business Plans Chef Exchange with Florence Italy.

A special treat for Trenton diners is on the menu this July at Utopia
Bistro, thanks to an international joint effort dubbed "The Two Bridges Chef
Exchange."  Restaurant owners, who have never met, will travel three
thousand miles across the Atlantic with their head chefs to cook at the
other's establishment for one week.

July 13-17, 2004, Utopia, located at 11 W Front Street, Trenton, will host
internationally known Ristorante Ottorina of Florence, Italy.  Ristorante
Ottorina, located in the heart of Florence, has enjoyed the patronage of
prestigious diners such as Robert De Niro, Zubin Mehta, Roberto Benigni,
Roberto Baggio, Sting, and the President of Italy, Gabriele Salvatores, as
well as numerous international politicians and businessmen.  During this
week, guest chef and cookbook author, Gianni Frangini, will prepare a
special prix fixe menu with owner Paolo Martini sharing hosting duties. 
Likewise in December, Utopia owner Boyd Wilson and his partner, Chef
Demetrious Sadler, will take their turn being chef and guest host at
Ottorino's in Florence, Italy.

"The Two Bridges Chef Exchange", named for the two cities' best known
landmarks, Florence's seven-hundred year old Ponte Vecchio and the "Trenton
Makes the World Takes" bridge, will donate a portion of the proceeds to
local soup kitchens in each city.  However, according to TJ Tindall, one of
the players instrumental in the overall plan of the restaurant exchange,
"this is just a byproduct of the endeavor."  TJ Tindall, who recently
relocated his company, Elettra, LLC to Trenton, imports high-end lighting
and furniture.  One evening, TJ recalled, "our partner, Richard Pacci, who
lives in Italy and is a friend of the owner of Ottorino's, came up with the
idea while enjoying a meal at Utopia."  "Wouldn't this be a great way to
meet new people by getting involved in the local community in a fun project
as well as having wonderful meals along the way!"

We're inviting everyone to participate in making this a terrific success for
Trenton.  Reservations will be necessary and can be obtained by calling
Utopia, (609) 394-1991.

For additional press information please contact:
Beverly Mills, Event Planner (609) 577-1665
Anita Wise, Elettra, LLC (609) 658-6482

National Night Out Press Release

Director Joseph Santiago For Immediate Release 7-13-03
CITY OF TRENTON TO CELEBRATE
"NATIONAL NIGHT OUT-2004"
Police Invite Community Participation

The Trenton Police Department proudly announces that "National Night
Out-2004" will be celebrated citywide on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004. The City
of Trenton will join over 9,500 communities nationwide in celebrating the
21st annual event.  "National Night Out" is a community building campaign
designed to heighten crime-prevention awareness and send a message to
criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. The City of
Trenton has received national recognition awards by the National Association
of Town Watch (NATW) for the city's efforts during the past four National
Night Out events.

The "National Night Out" events begin with a kick-off rally at City Hall on
Monday, August 2, 2004 at 4p.m..  Local government leaders, law enforcement
and public safety officials and community leaders will be on hand to start
the NNO campaign, and to deliver the message that the City of Trenton is
united in its effort to fight crime. There will also be informational tables
and displays from various organizations, and several event sponsors will be
on hand to distribute refreshments and promotional items.

This year the NNO event will recognize the many community and neighborhood
associations that work day in and day out in making Trenton a better place
to live, visit and enjoy.

Special recognition will be given to the neighborhoods that are presently
involved in the Trenton Police Department's NEST Operations.  NEST
(Neighborhood Enforcement and Stabilization Task Force), under the direction
of Police Director Joseph J. Santiago, has been implemented in several
neighborhoods that have been adversely affected by drug and gang activity.
Through enforcement efforts and community outreach, Trenton Police and
community residents are striving to build strong community foundations
within these neighborhoods. The ultimate goal of NEST is to provide relief
to the residents from street drug and gang activity that has affected their
quality of life.

On Tuesday, August 3rd, the official date of 'National Night Out", from
6:00p.m. till 9:00 p.m., community groups will hold a variety of
neighborhood activities on streets and in parks throughout the city.
Cookouts, live music, visits from members of the Trenton Police and Fire
Departments, Sheriff's Office, Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and elected
officials will contribute to the citywide festivities. The event is designed
for residents to come out of their houses and meet their neighbors, and
deter criminal activity from taking place.

**Neighborhood groups interested in participating in this year's event can
contact the Office of Community Affairs of the Trenton Police Department at
(609) 989-3971. Police request that interested persons  contact the Office
of Community Affairs as soon as possible to be included in this year's
events.**

Calendar updates

Thursday, July 15
The 10th Anniversary of the Capital City Market Opening July 15!

Front lawn of the Trenton War Memorial on Lafayette St. at the foot of
Barracks St.
Every Thursday through September 30
11 am - 2 pm

Enjoy shopping, lunch, and live music, in a beautiful, outdoor setting

Jersey Fresh produce from downtown grocer Colonial Farms Market with
fresh fruit and pies provided by The Market at Styer Orchards

Fresh roasted peanuts and a variety of other nuts, dried fruits, and jelly
candy available from The Peanut Man

New this year, please welcome:
?Phatso's Bakery from Chester, PA bringing cakes, pies, cookies, donuts,
brownies, and bread

? Sweety Peety, a confectionery store on Cass St., offering chocolate
treats

Special  Features:
Downtown businesses promote their goods & services as Business Spotlights
The Market Café serves lunch by a different downtown restaurant each week on
the War Memorial portico,
Memorial Court
Lunchtime Concerts on the Landing provide live music sponsored by the
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
               Ed Wilson & Company - July 15
               Ernie White                   - July 22

Sponsored byCapital Health System, The Patriots Theater at the War Memorial,
Sun Bank, & TDA

Saturday, July 17
Flea market at First Baptist of Trenton.

Doug's Power Grab - Sturday Morning's Trentonian

The following is a transcript of a letter to the editor published in the
Trentonian, Saturday, July 10, 2004. -- jc

Doug's power grab

Never in the history of our great city has a mayor used political powers to
cause such waste and embarrassment as Mayor Douglas Palmer did when I
confronted him with his failed effort to dominate and supervise the Office
of City Clerk.

I sued him to stop his attack on the office through his Business
Administrator, Ms. Feigenbaum, who made no pretense of her purpose to put me
and my office under her control.  The Mayor knew full well that I have
signed and submitted the very same time records sought by the administration
every two weeks for all of my tenure as City Clerk.  He knows I did not sue
to get out of doing that.  He also knows that I tried to avoid the lawsuit. 
He knows that he ignored my call for a meeting to reason out the following
points:  The Clerk cannot be "supervised," "disciplined," reprimanded" or
"evaluated" by the Mayor or his underlings.  His Administrator claimed to
have these powers.  But they do not exist.  He knows that - now.

Rather that reason this out, the Mayor forced me to take him to court.  He
has yet to trust the public to tell them how much money it cost him to
learn, through the court process, that the Administrator has no power to
evaluate, supervise, reprimand or discipline the City Clerk.  What could
have been resolved in the pre-suit meeting was settled in court, on June 7,
with the able intervention of our Assignment judge, who focused on the key
points of law and brokered a settlement which enforces these simple points
of law.  As a result, it is now settled that the Clerk's Office is beyond
the Mayor's grasp.  The suit established as a matter of law that the Office
of Clerk is "autonomous."

Some day the Mayor will be forced to tell the public how much money was
spent on out-of-town lawyers to learn the limits of his power.  I am not
crowing "victory."  The only possible benefit from this avoidable conflict
flow to the public and those who succeed me as City Clerk.

The law specifically provides that City Clerks are due reimbursement when
the have been forced to defend against disciplinary process brought by this
municipal administration.  I applaud the minority of City Council members
who have seen the merit in my application for reimbursement.  I am proud of
them, knowing what pressure they were under for issuing their own
declarations of independence from the strong arm of Mayor Palmer.

As I did before filing against the Mayor, I have urged the Council provide
an equal opportunity for me to address them on the true issues underlying
the recently settled case before I am forced to bring the truth back to
court in order to obtain equal treatment with respect to the cost of
correcting a misdeed in the Administration.  I have been greatly
disappointed in the reaction I received to that offer - so far.

Anthony J. Conti
City Clerk

More trouble for Santiago

Santiago faces harassment lawsuit - Trenton Times
Saturday, July 10, 2004
By KEVIN SHEA - Staff Writer

TRENTON - A female city police officer has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit
against Police Director Joseph Santiago claiming he suggestively touched her
and made sexually charged advances while she was on duty last year. More...

+++

Santiago named in harassment lawsuit - Trentonian
JOSHUA L. CORNFIELD, Staff Writer 07/10/2004

TRENTON -- Trenton Police Director Joseph Santiago was named in a lawsuit
for the second time in less than a month yesterday, this time for sexual
harassment. More...

Calendar Update

Wednesday, July 14
7:00 pm Landmarks Commission for Historic Preservation meeting.  1st Floor
Conference Room, City Hall

Jimmy C's Calendar

Here's this week's lineup.  As always, additions, comments, deletions are
welcome. -- jc 

Monday, July 12
6:00-8:00 pm Free Concert, Dick Chimes and Band, Lipinski Park.  989-3169

Tuesday, July 13
5:00 PM City Council Conference Session: Interview of Zoning Board
Candidates, 2nd Floor, City Hall
6:00 PM City Council: Discussion of pending ABC License renewals
7:30 PM Jersey Street Civic Association, MillHouse.

Wednesday, July 14
Noon Trenton Housing Authority meeting, 278-5000
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Free Concert, Sound Deep Band, Laurel Avenue Park. 989-3169
7:30 PM Traditions, a coffee house. Admission is $10 per person. Hot and
cold beverages are included in the admission, desserts are available for
purchase and all proceeds go directly to our Education Programs. Old
Barracks Museum.  For more information or reservations, please call
609-396-1776 or 888-BARRACK

Thursday, July 15
5:00--10:00 PM, Martini Thursday Networking Session, Conduit. For info call
Doug Smarr 609-532-8396 or Charles Hill 609-954-8492
7:00 pm TGLCA Monthly Meeting.  Mill Hill Saloon.

Friday, July 16
11:00 am - 2:00 pm  Foodway Fridays, Gardening, Cooking & Craft
Demonstrations.  Trent House.  989-3027