One Resident’s Analysis of the Chelsea Neighborhood Association’s Debate Sunday, Oct 28 2007

By Smartin’ Martin
(Normally, we just report on events.  This is almost entirely the opinion of one attendee. Here is a candidate-by-candidate review of those standing for Sixth and Fifth Ward and At-Large Councilmen offices.)
 
Councilman at Large
 
George Tibitt: Seems to be a mini-Mancuso.  A lot of people like him but he has no idea on legislation and laws.   He was incoherent and off-base at times. He could not even put together two plausible sentences yet he is a likable guy. 
 
Ernest Coursey:  Definitely a family man.  He continues to use the word “administration,” indicating that he backs Speedy.  I believe Coursey want to sell Bader field, ASAP.  The guy sitting next to me, Tom, commented about Coursey:  “His English sucks.”  He is another Langford guy.
 
Mike Toland: The guy acting most like a normal guy.  A retired Vet, he was well spoken and solid with many issues.  Yet he was not properly dressed and used the word Armageddon for the redistricting process. I think Toland is a good candidate and the right choice in November.
 
5th Ward
 
Dennis Mason: To the point.  When asked if he agreed with the smoking ban, he said yes and said if he had the vote again he would vote the same way.  On redevelopment of Bader Field, he wants to see housing, Casinos, and open space.  He answered with a little bit of everything.  I felt he made a strong impression and am considering voting for him but I believe he has no open competition in the ward.
 
6th Ward
 
Tim Mancuso:  Is not against the smoking ban, yet he kept referring to Mason’s ideas.  He referred to Tibbitt, in effect, as the new kid on the block.  Mancuso is non-sensical with his comments especially, “I will do what the people want with Bader Field.”  I think he will lose this election
 
Steve Layman:  A strong candidate and former mayor.  He spoke with a purpose and said it was time to clean up the mess in A.C.  He impressed me with his poise and firmness on all the questions asked.  I believe he will make an excellent candidate and strong leader for our sixth ward
 
Ytit Chauhan:  What a terrible debater.  The only candidate to take shots at others.  He is a smoker yet he believes the casinos should be 100% smoke-free.  He called this city petty and says if we are arguing over city cell phones and cars we are being petty.  Sorry he lost my vote.  He is so stuck up it’s not even funny.  He has no shot.
 
Overall

The debate quality was terrible.  Steve Layman and Mike Toland were the best.  Ytit and Tibbitt the worst. 
 
I spoke with my friend Eugene Robinson after the debate.  He voted against the smoking ban and states it is wrong for Casinos to be 75% - 25%.  I still support Mr. Robinson [despite his prostitution scandal] and am glad he voted against this cause.  Gene also said he believes the voting at the Democratic Committee was unfair and does not support that type of process.  When I asked about the fluidity of Government in this City - as to who takes over when the Mayor leaves office - he said this is a State Issue.  Well the state needs to fix this problem.  There is no law or consistency.  I elect Eugene Robinson MAYOR!  Oh wait I bet I can’t do it

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Clarifying the Chelsea Neighborhood Post Sunday, Oct 28 2007

We received the following note from Carol Ruffu, an organizer of the Chelsea Neighborhood Association’s candidates debate.
______________________________

Jesse,

  There is a little misinformation in this article.  Acting Mayor Marsh was there to address our members prior to the Candidates Forum. He arrived late so we started the Forum, then gave the floor to him in between segments.  He was never supposed to introduce the Candidates.

carol
_________________________________________

Thank you Carol, for clarifying our information.  I know that our readers appreciate the accurate information that they receive here.

Shalom,

Laus Deo,

Jesse O. Kurtz
Managing Editor

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Chelsea Neighborhood Association A.C. Candidates Debate Friday, Oct 26 2007

25 October, MMVII

Candidates for Fifth Ward, Sixth Ward, and At-Large Councilman seats addressed the monthly meeting of the Chelsea Neighborhood Association.  The At-Large Council candidates spoke first, then the Fifth and Sixth Ward candidates spoke.

In between, Acting Mayor William “Speedy” Marsh gave an address to the crowd.  His speech was rather prolonged, given the nature of his position in the debate.  He was supposed to introduce the candidates and ended up giving a stump speech.  Members of the audience later remarked how Marsh’s speech was partisan toward Ernest Coursey. 

Independent Coursey, Republican Michael Toland, and Incumbent Democrat George Tibbitt are the three candidates for Councilman At-Large.  Incumbent Tibbitt went first. “We are in times of embarrassment,” said Tibbitt.  On the looming tax re-val, Tibbitt said, “we are trying to make the re-val as painless as possible.”

Coursey was Deputy Mayor under former Mayor Lorenzo Langford.  Coursey is from the 4th Ward.  He is from a family of 12.  Touting his 11 1/2 years as a Councilman and 4 years as Deputy Mayor, Coursey deplores the current state of political affairs.  “We have lost our way and we need to get back on track,” said Coursey.

Republican Toland has a degree in Urban Studies.  He combines his intellectual capacity with a history of public service.  He is a military veteran. On improvements in Lower Chelsea: “that is not the role of City Council.  A Councilman can only encourage something that is already supposed to be re-done,” said Toland.

Fifth Ward Councilman Dennis Mason did not have a challenger.  Mike Zingarelli was attending a friend’s funeral and visiting with the family.  Mason spoke of his record as a Councilman and the various initiatives he has proposed, as well as his committee work.

Steve Layman, an Independent candidate in the Sixth Ward, is a seven year resident of that Ward.  He has a history in government.  He was a Committee Member and Mayor of Hainesport, NJ.  He is unhappy with the performance of Incumbent Sixth Ward Councilman Tim Mancuso.  Layman summed up his reason for running: “I want an opportunity to have your voice and choice heard.”

Independent Sixth Ward candidate Ytit Chauhan would be the youngest Councilman, if elected.  He has begun to get some media attention.  There are people taking his campaign seriously.  Chauhan - a cigarette smoker - said, “I support a 100% smoking ban.”  Through the course of his speaking he went back and forth between declaring himself an “Independent” and a “Democrat.”  Chauhan proposed that the Badar Field development question be put to a referendum. 

Incumbent Mancuso reminded people of the threat of the evil elements in city government.  He promised that he was hard at work to get the right person pu-in as Mayor.

Carol Ruffu, a Chelsea Neighborhood Candidates’ Debate Moderator, said “We had a good turnout for a rainy night.  The audience really did not turn in a large number of question but I think that the public that attended got a good idea of what the individual candidates stood for.”

(Cara Kurtz contributed to this report.)

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The Mike Toland Interview Thursday, Oct 25 2007

(Jesse Kurtz)  Thank you Mike, for agreeing to answer some questions for The Atlantic City Scoop.  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

(Michael Toland)  I am a 1968 Atlantic City High School graduate, who has resided on the island for 53 years, I have resided in Chelsea Heights since 1978.

I am a 1976 Richard Stockton College graduate with a BA in Urban Studies.

I am a United States Army veteran, serving from September 23, 1970 until March 25, 1972. I was honorably discharged as a Specialist Fourth Class, I received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. I had overseas service in Korea for 8 plus months.

I am married to the former Janet Sardella from Ventnor, we have been married since 1969, I have one daughter, and two grandchildren. My wife and daughter both serve the Community as Registered Nurses at ARMC - City Division in MICU and the Trauma Unit respectively.

I have 30 plus years experience working in Atlantic City government, starting in 1977, I have worked in the Departments of Planning and Development and Public Works. I have also interfaced closely with the Department of Revenue and Finance, the Police Department and Fire Department. I served six Mayors.

I was elected to the Atlantic City Board of Education four times, and served on that Board from 1986 until 1996. I was Vice President for four years, and President for two years.

(JK)  During your debates with the other candidates for Councilman At-Large you commented on the topic of tax abatements.  Can you please outline your position on the subject?

(MT)  Tax abatements and Payment In Lieu Of Tax (PILOT) programs are wonderful economic development tools for distressed areas. Atlantic City hardly qualifies as a distressed community. Real Estate values in the Atlantic City SMSA are in positive territory in 2007, while values Nationally are falling in 2007. The Redevelopment Ordinance approved during the Callaway regime should be rescinded, the document is tainted due to the origin of the document. I cannot and will not support tax abatements while the resident/homeowner taxpayers continue to see increases in their Municipal Tax bills.

(JK)  Why will you be a better Councilman At-Large, than George Tibbitt and Ernest Coursey?

(MT)  Regarding both my opponents, I have more education and actual government experience than both of them combined. 

For that reason, I believe that the people will be better served by me, rather than by them. 

Do not misconstrue my statement that I am demeaning either one of my opponents, that is not the case at all. I simply feel I am the best candidate at this time for this position. On November 6th, the voters will decide who is best, in their view, and I am totally comfortable with the decision they will make.

(JK)  Today, in Atlantic City politics, every person, regardless of which faction they belong to, is addicted to the phrase, “moving Atlantic City forward.”  Do you employ the phrase?  What does it mean?  Are you as sick of the phrase as I am?

(MT)  I rarely use the phrase “moving Atlantic City forward”, I prefer to use the phrase, “I have a vision for Atlantic City”. I am not sick of the phrase nor have I ever thought much about what it means.

(JK)  What do you advocate should happen to Badar Field?

(MT)  Bader Field has unlimited possibilities and potential. I’d prefer not to make a snap judgement on its future while the Master Plan and existing Zoning Laws are under review. Subsequent to that review, the City should proceed very cautiously, and explore all options regarding Bader Field redevelopment. The longer the City waits on liquidating that asset, the more valuable it will be insofar as city revenue may be concerned. Some say Bader Field is worth $1 billion dollars today, if we wait until 2011 or 2012, the property may be worth over $1.25 billion dollars. If the City were to receive $1.25 billion dollars for the property, and invest those funds wisely, the annual interest on that type investment could be as high as $70 million dollars. That interest could be used annually to reduce the amount to raised by taxation in the annual city budget, which would mean significantly lower taxes annually for every property owner in Atlantic City, and this could be done every year ad infintium as long as the prinicipal/original investment is not drawn down.

(JK)  What ideas do you have to lower taxes for Atlantic City residents?

(MT)  Regarding the lowering of taxes, the aforementioned paragraph on Bader Field would solve the tax problems. In the interim, I think the spending side of the budget has to be reviewed. Since Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits constitute a very, very large percentage of the budget, that is the area that must be closely examined.

(JK)  What are your thoughts on the current Mayoral situation?

(MT)  As an elected Councilman, I would strongly encourage the Mayor to institute a hiring freeze for all non-public safety positions, in other words, in the event of a retirement, I would leave that position vacant for a minimum of 3-6 months, and during that period City Administration should evaluate the need for that position or could they re-deploy existing employees to perform the function previously performed by the retiree.

I also will not accept a city car or a city cell phone, that may be a minor expense but every little bit helps.

Regarding city cars, there are an estimated 650 city cars for an estimated city hall workforce of an estimated 1,500 employees, thats 2.3 employees for each car, that seems to be a very low number. If we could reduce the cars, we could reduce the consumption of gasoline, that reduction can help lower taxes.

The demise of Bob Levy is a sad story. I am sure if Bob had a do-over he would politely decline the offer to run for Mayor. I sincerely hope Bob takes care of himself, and returns to his normal self so that he may enjoy his wife, children and grandchildren. The old adage,”be careful what you wish for, you might just get it” is very applicable in Bob’s former situation.

(JK)  Who do you think should fill the rest of Mayor Levy’s term?

(MT)  Mayor Marsh is Mayor Marsh until a replacement is named, I wish him well. Mayor Marsh was an Atlantic City Board of Education employee prior to, and during my tenure on the Atlantic City Board of Education. I always had a very good relationship with Mayor Marsh.

Since I do not sit on the Atlantic City Democratic Committee, I don’t have a horse in that race, so, I’ll just sit back and watch the proceedings, besides, my focus right now is on November 6th, and crossing that finish line first.

(JK)  There are many people, reading this blog, who are interested in political theory.  What is your idea of the proper role of city government?
 
(MT)  City government should supply basic services to its residents/taxpayers in the most cost-effective fashion. While providing these basic services, city government should promote economic development which in turn will provide jobs for its residents, and enhance the quality of life in the City.

(JK)  Why should Atlantic City voters, an overwhelmingly Democratic group, vote for you, a Republican?

(MT)  I have been elected city-wide four times prior to this election. I was elected in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1994 in a citywide School Board election. I was the top vote-getter in each election. I can assume that some of these voters who supported me in the past were life-long Democrats. These Democrats, as well as Republicans, know me, know my abilities, know my family, and have confidence in me.

I know we live in a two party system, but I think people should vote for the candidate, not the party label; besides, it is a fact that Independents outnumber Democrats and Republicans combined in Atlantic City.

(JK)  How do you characterize the way that the media has covered your campaign?

(MT)  The print media has been consumed by the Atlantic City Mayor situation in the middle of this Council campaign, so the spotlight has been shining elsewhere. Additionally, the County Executive and State Senate races have been covered more prominently.

The talk shows have been very receptive, as is their nature.

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Children, Guns, Stick-Figures. Tuesday, Oct 23 2007

Written By Timothy McGuire 

One of my greatest fears in this life is a five-year-old pointing a gun at me.  This is almost exactly parallel to my desperate fear of being “held up” by a midget or a dwarf of some kind.  This is my particular phobia, and it is not meant to indicate any particular common, that is, shared foible or tendency in either category of these children of God, which both are.  Certainly a child with a handgun is a terrible thought to anyone.  The only people that may not agree with me are running blood diamonds in Africa or commanding countries that rhyme with “I ran,” as in, ”I ran into some trouble at school when I drew a stick-figure,” as in, the seven-year-old boy named, who found his way into the state news for this reason and into our poetic little hearts. (the MSNBC article)     Like many young tadpoles at this age, his thoughts seem to revolve around what many little boys play, that is, adults, especially some type of exemplar or protagonist.  Now, in this tumultuous era, we find that many of our current heroes are in the desert really far away.  We know from the news that they are using what appear to be some modern versions of flintlock, which of course the average citizen in America had in his home while this country was founded. 

     So, if our heroes are in Iraq, like Obama and Giuliani would have us believe, then I say we should examine why they are heroes, and when we have some notion of what it is that they are doing to be heroic, then let us essay to do the same in our own little way.  I would suggest protecting all the weak people that we can in our sphere of existence.

This is my speculation on what the boy might have actually drawn, although his may have varied slightly.  Sources say that there was only one weapon at the scene.

     I assume that the boy draws things that he likes, or, to rephrase, images that have some value to his person and his little colleagues.  Drawing is a creative act, a giving back to the world for all that it has given us, an inspiration to form out of ink and crisp white papyrus, beauty and genuine, interpersonal communication.  This is, perhaps, a rather dramatic description of a boy scribbling out a stick-figure with a pop-gun, yet it may be a glimmer of a future artist prodigy.  He will first have to overcome the fantastic shock of his suspension from class.

     It is true, this maliciously armed stick-man has put our young friend on the wrong side of the school policy against guns.  A stick-figure with what I can only dare to call a stick-figure’s stick-gun is contrary to the American schoolboy’s recommended artistic taste.  The sacred learning space of New Jersey was grossly and violently polluted, dishonored, and generally shaken up.  It seems that the youth shall undergo a sort of government-funded therapy to rid him of these impetuous inclinations, for how else can he be healed of such aberrant behavior patterns.

     At any rate, we have all learned a valuable lesson and are reassured that the schools of New Jersey are doing their darnedest to keep our beloved offspring safe from “bad stuff”.  I only wish I had received the benefits of this new education in my younger and more formidable years where I, with the help of some tragic playmates, drew vast scenes depicting natural disaster mixed with much stick-figure, cultural strife.  I thought, in my ignorance that the only way that the stick-men could resolve their differences, namely the differences in their choice of hat shading, was through violence, and often King Kong himself would offer his services to one side or the other, depending on which army/team had paid their dues to P.E.T.A.  Alas, my life has this one blight in an otherwise nonviolent record.  I accept full responsibility for these and possibly other drawings of a similar vein, I apologize to my grammar school cronies, who, no doubt are in some sort of institution for violence reform, and most of all the “education providers,” who were possibly in danger without any knowledge heretofore.  I will now carry out a self-imposed community service yet to be determined.

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The Ytit Chauhan Interview Sunday, Oct 21 2007

(Jesse Kurtz)   Mr. Chauhan, thank you for agreeing to appear on The Atlantic City Scoop.  Why are you running for Sixth Ward Councilman?

(Ytit Chauhan)   I have always had a deep passion and appreciation for public service.  Even though Atlantic City elected officials have disgraced and misused the public trust time and time again, I would hope that average people still have the ability to respect the few honest and sincere individuals out there who pursue elected office as a means to better their community.  I love Atlantic City, and I can no longer be an innocent and inconsequential bystander and watch this city deteriorate politically and culturally.  The people are yearning for change, and I entered this race because I believe I am the only candidate in this city who can unite the many political factions in order for the greater good for the city at large.  Petty bickering and opportunistic decision making has left this city with many mediocre politicians. The voters on November 6th will reject all the non-sense, and elect common sense.

(JK)   What should potential voters know about your personal history? 

(YC)   Voters should know that I represent a new era of Atlantic City politics.  I may not have 50 years of life experience, but I do know one thing: During my life, if the past 19 years of my existence have taught me anything, it’s that honesty, integrity, and courage truly define one’s personal character.  I haven’t lived in Atlantic City my entire life, in fact I’ve lived in 10 different cities spanning numerous states.  I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, lived a few years in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Trenton, New Jersey, along with many small towns along the way.  I am not a product of wealth and privilege, and I understood at a very early age that I am not entitled to anything, if I want something, I would have to prove myself worthy.  I’ve spent 5 years in this city, a graduate of Atlantic City High School in 2006, and I completed my freshman year at The George Washington University in Washington D.C.  The challenges that I’ve faced in my brief lifetime have helped build character and excellent people skills.  I’ve attended 10 different public schools, from the most urban and poor, to the most suburban and affluent, and everywhere that I’ve been has helped build my character and personal philosophy on life.  People are the same everywhere, their hopes for the future, their dreams for their children, their own personal shortcomings.  I believe I have the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and give them a sense of purpose as they face challenges and encounter setbacks. 

(JK)   What do you bring as a young person that will make you a good Sixth Ward Councilman?

(YC)   My youth, vigor, and energy aside, I believe I am the only candidate in the upcoming elections that is practicing retail politics.  My opponents are spending tens of thousands of dollars, I am spending $200 dollars.  The voters in my ward aren’t stupid.  Fancy yard signs and expensive mailings doesn’t translate to votes.  The 20 minutes that I spend sitting on their porches, living rooms, and kitchens will translate to building personal relationships and a bond of common purpose, which in turn will yield dividends on election day.  There’s a timeless quality of candidates looking voters into the eye and giving them straight talk instead of rhetoric on a fancy of paper.  My title of Councilman will never define me, and that is what the voters are looking for.  When our elected officials begin to get out of touch with their constituents, then it’s time for a drastic change.  My age has nothing to do with how I plan to utilize my office, I will merely be one of the nice councilmen.  Perhaps, and I hope, I can become a role model for the young people of Atlantic City.  Too many smart and talented kids never realize their potential, I think that is a disgrace and I plan to become heavily involved with raising the standards of success and achievement in our city.  Attending a 4 year university should be an option for every child in the city, no longer should we be proud that our young people graduate high school, in today’s competitive world a high school diploma means nothing.  Parents, Teachers, and Students need to establish certain goals for our community, and they begin with raising the standards of academic achievement.  Mediocrity is a disease that is plaguing every aspect of Atlantic City.  We all need to aim higher.  Better government, better education, better standards of decency and respect, and in the end, a better and brighter Atlantic City.

(JK)   Why did you decide to challenge long-time Councilman Tim Mancuso?

(YC)   Tim Mancuso is the longest serving Councilman.  He’s been serving since 1992, and his span of over 15 years he has never been Council President, and nor has he ever had a real shot at becoming mayor.  He’s been through nearly 2 decades of ineffective and mismanaged government, where was his leadership?  If Atlantic City is ever going to move forward, the politicians of our corrupt past need to remain in the past.  Tim Mancuso has not earned another 4 year term on Council.  He is under the impression that he controls the 6th ward, and that nobody is entitled to wage a challenge against him.  He refuses to debate, he is obviously afraid to talk about the issues because at this point in his council career there should be no need speak about change and moving forward.  He’s had 15 years to do something about our system, but in fact the very system has helped maintain his power and influence.  He doesn’t want an open and clean government.  Transparency in City Hall is every incumbent’s worst nightmare.  You’re either a part of the solution or a part of the problem, Tim Mancuso has been a part of the problem for 2 decades, and enough is enough.  I am not making any personal attacks on Tim Mancuso, his personal life is something I have no interest in, I am focusing on his tenure on Council, and his lack of a record speaks for itself. 

(JK)   What do you think of Steve Layman, your other challenger?

(YC)   I don’t think very much of Steve Layman.  Enough said.

(JK)   Thank you very much for braving these questions.  Do you have any thing else that you would like to add?

(YC)   Due to time constraints these are the only questions I can answer from the top of my head. The questions that require greater detail and substance regarding re-val and traffic management, and also my beliefs on city government as far as partisan elections and campaign funding will also require greater detail. Same thing with the ballot questions, the main question about the sales increase and property tax relief will require a long and substantive answer, and I’ll be happy to get to that. Unfortunately, I have a lot going on. …  I hope the above answers can suffice for now, if not, let me know and I’ll try to see if I can fit in some time as soon as I can.  … I’ve been doing 14 hour days lately and my campaign schedule starts at 6 a.m. tomorrow. A grassroots campaign is an exhausting process, but I’m excited about the results my hard work will yield. 

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Sexual Criminals Around Atlantic City Saturday, Oct 20 2007

By Timothy McGuire 

Terry Oleson is a thirty five year old Atlantic City man who was caught up in an awful whirlwind of crimes that were significantly larger and more heinous that the ones he was satisfied committing.  He is not more of a criminal than is Buddy Holly or any other peeping tom.  These people violate privacy in a most distasteful fashion and give good people the sense of insecurity and lack of comfort that the citizen deserves.  These are little acts of criminality on society’s scale, not worth more than a few months in jail and probation.  But this behavior begs a question, that is, “How does a person come to the conclusion that he or she is justified in claiming a small piece of an other’s privacy?”  The criminal rarely feels that the violation he has chosen to inflict is not his right, his due.      Society tells him to live in peace with his fellows, Hillary Clinton told us, at a recent debate, that her favorite bible passage was the golden rule, do unto others… Yet something apart from all this enters into his mind and the deed is done.  Actions are the result of thought, that is, patterns of though.  A pattern of though is a view of the world.  Every person has their own particular view of the world, what roles certain individuals should take on and how they might best fulfill their existence.

     Let this story be a lesson to us law abiders: little strands of thought and behavior weave themselves into a fabric of personal character.  Once it is woven, it is hard to change and this cloth is a tapestry representing the history of choice very clearly and in living color.

     The police arrested the man, Terry Oleson, for a reason.  In truth, how far is this same man from the actions it appears he has now not committed?  Sexual crimes are vile.  They are vile because sexuality is to every individual a most singular and precious treasure.  It is a gift to the beloved and not to anyone else.  Sexuality enters into the human person in a way that no other human exchange or communication can.  Teasing at school is damaging to the ego, but an abused child is a broken person.  Sexuality must be protected by society as something very special and private to the individual. 

     Sexual criminals have determined that is is their right or claim to experience an other’s sexuality without their consent.  This indeed shall lead to many other violations as the mere  glance into the ladies room fails to satisfy the appetite.  The trend is always towards more and various experiences, much like the drug culture.  This typifies the nature of the unhealthy relationship to and substance or item.  In natural, organic relations, knowledge is shared in deeper and deeper ways, while in unnatural aberrant relations, there is a distinctly one sided experience.

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The Sands Casino Is No More. Thursday, Oct 18 2007

(Credit - http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/casino/sands-casino-hotel-2855)

Hundreds of people had their last glimpse of the Sands tonight. 

Trucks parked on the beach and turned the area by the ocean in to a gigantic tailgate party.  With drinks in hand, people chanted “Blow it Up!  Blow it up!”  There was a large contingency of students from Rutgers and Rowan, who came down to party at the implosion.

“Ashes to ashes, Sands to dust,” said Dylan Fioriglio.  Another person in our vicinity was surprised at how “hick” this Atlantic City gathering was.  Apparently, it is not just people from the backwoods, who enjoy a good explosion.

The crowds filed out, leaving a large amount of trash and debris on the beach.  Beach-observers chanted, “No more Sands!” as they filed home.

The occasion of the implosion gives us political observers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the lesson of the Sands.  What is the big ordinance that A.C. City Council has passed through this year?  It is the casino smoking ban, of course.  There are many who think that the ban was an exercise of good government.  I strongly disagree.

Joseph Corbo, President of the Casino Association and Head Council at Borgata Casino and Hotel, is a strong critic of the smoking ban. I echo his sentiments. 

Some say that the sharp A.C. Casino profit decline was inevitable.  I say, just look at the Sands, a dust cloud floating around Atlantic City, and remember who had the first smoke free casino. . .

  !

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The Committee Meeting Notables and Quotables Wednesday, Oct 17 2007

Acting Mayor William “Speedy” Marsh was seen thanking - what seemed to be - his supporters on the Committee, afterwards, in the parking lot. 

The most ridiculous (and amusing) utterance of the evening, “If you want to nominate Donald Duck, then go head” (A frustrated Marty Small).

There was some sympathy, for former Mayor Bob Levy, expressed in the conversations amoung guests.  One woman remarked, “He was not a politician.  He was a good human being.”  I presume that she does not acknowledge the commandment, “Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness,” as a mark of a person’s character.

Lance Winston shared a few thoughts after the meeting: “The majority spoke.  Everything was legal.  It was a fair and open process.”

Cappella was heard rejoicing in the parking lot: ”We got it again.  Get rid of the devils. We out smarted them.”

And the icing on the cake: “If we weren’t a national disgrace before, we are now” (George Tibbitt).  

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The Atlantic City Democrats’ Committee Meeting Post-Game Show Wednesday, Oct 17 2007

Wednesday night’s meeting yielded Dominic Cappella, Barbara Hudgins, and Scott Evans as the City Democratic Committe’s three choices to fill Mayor Bob Levy’s unexpired term.  Many people suspected Cappella and Evans would be able to garner enough support to capture the nomination.  My big question is: why Barbara Hudgins?

Barbara Hudgins was defeated by George Tibbitt in the Democratic primary for Councilman At-Large.  She has not enjoyed political clout since the days Mayor Jim Whelan.  Why choose her as a choice to present to Council?

The meeting, held at the UAW Hall in Chelsea Heights was a who’s-who of AC political figures.  Damon Tyner, Joe Pollillo, Don Hurley, Bobby Turner, Iris Hernandez, George Amiriantz, Bob McDevitt, Lillian E. Bryant, Champ Hoffman, Tom Foley, and Alice Gordon were only a few of the notable guests, allowed to observe the pseudo-parliamentary style maneuvering that yielded Cappella, Hudgins, and Evans as the three selections.

Evans began by asking all but the Committee members to leave the hall.  After five minutes, the approximately seventy-five guests and members of the media were allowed to sit on the other side of the hall.  A yellow police tape separated guest from Committee member.

Signs adorned the entrances to the hall reading, "Atlantic City Democratic Committee Bringing Honesty And Integrity Back To Atlantic City Government."  I observed this sign, being led in, as a person near remarked that A.C. Committee member Floyd Tally had sworn in front of a judge, earlier in the day, that he lives in Pleasantville.

Evans opened the evening by stating, "We are going to keep things tight.  This is not an open session."  While this was not as noisy as a City Council meeting, there were still plenty of cat-calls from the guests and threats of election yelled by Evans at various guests.

The next move was for Dr. Howard Barsky to motion for the committee to recommend Cappella, Hudgins, and Evans.  The motion was second.  Councilman and Committee member Marty Small got to his feet and argued for an open and transparent vote. 

Small was denied a hearing on his motion.

Bob McDevitt was threatened to be ejected twice by Evans, after McDevitt yelled in response to Evans and Barsky, "What you are doing is illegal.  All of you are criminals.  Read Robert’s Rules of Order."

Tom Foley yelled, “Ask the lawyers.”  I wanted to suggest that maybe we have had enough from lawyers.  See Kim Baldwin and the City’s Department of Law.

Kaleem Shabazz spoke of how A.C. is in a national, regional, and international spotlight. "We must be sensitive to our appearance," he stated.

There was noticeable friction between the County and City Democratic chairpersons.  Ruff shouted a disapproving "no" in response to Evans’s handling of the meeting.

David Tayoun expressed his disapproval of how Evans conducted the meeting.

Joe Pollillo proclaimed, “I think that the runner-up from the last election should be mayor.”

Small supervised the ballot count as 23 voted yes and 18 voted no.  Next Small had a motion to reverse the first vote.  His measure was voted down by the same 23-18 margin.

“This is confusing, totally confusing,” said an Indian gentleman seated next to me.  ”They fight like little kids,” said another person.  Marty Small had a few people yell, “Sit down Marty,” and “He [Small] just want the spotlight.”

Toni Dixon moved to adjourn the meeting, was seconded, and now we wait for City Council to act on the Committee’s selections.

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