Councilman Bruce Ward: Refreshing Presence On City Council Friday, Feb 29 2008

It is respectable to read of an elected official making a stance on something. Councilman G. Bruce Ward takes on the issue of eminent domain. He writes:

Developments of the size and scale envisioned for tomorrow’s Atlantic City provide considerable economic investment to the community, as well as substantial municipal property tax revenue and thousands of construction and operations jobs.

But when property owners don’t want to move, their pleas can’t be ignored. They are taxpayers. They vote or employ other taxpayers.

Note that the Councilman makes real and substantial reference to taxpayers. Real reference to taxpayers is not often heard from Councilmen, even in their monthly public meetings.

Alas, the Councilman shows himself a politician and straddles the fence between private property and pro-eminent domain interests. He states:

When it comes to eminent domain, legislators must balance the benefits of such projects with the welfare of the community at large.

There is much room for debating whether “the welfare of the community at large” is a solid justification for forcing citziens to sell personal property against their will. The Councilman comes short of supporting a citizen’s solid constitutional rights to his own property. The Councilman straddles the position of siding with eminent domain for private gain (in the name of “the welfare of the community at large”) and the position of a citizen’s right to own property.

Mr. Ward is an attorney by trade and to his credit, the courts have not done the best job of upholding a citizen’s right to own property. He mentions the unfortunate precedent of Kelo v. City of New London, CT case in Casinos versus Community?

Councilman Ward reveals his intellect, concern for taxpayers, and a willingness to be forthcoming on the issues. We take issue with his support of the needle exchange program - which he describes also as an “information exchange,” yet we thoroughly enjoy his presence on City Council. He is available for citizens and willing to discuss his votes, positions, thoughts, future plans, and ideas.  Councilman, your article sets a good example for the rest of the Council. Keep on fighting for the taxpayers.

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Atlantic City: Housing, Healthcare, and Free Drug Needles For All! Wednesday, Feb 27 2008

   Casino profits may have decreased, but one area of Atlantic City commerce is booming.  NBC40 reports:

TRENTON — The New Jersey needle exchange program is struggling to attract clients statewide, except for one local location.

About 175 people have enrolled in the Atlantic City program at the Oasis Drop Center since November.

My vehement opposition has been voiced both when I guest hosted a local talk show and in my February column in the Casino Connection.  Eliminating the needle exchange program is a top political priority in improving the quality of life in Atlantic City.

   Atlantic City City Council has allowed a needle exchange system within the city limits for less than a year.  Atlantic City has enabled a system using a state grant to give multiple clean needles for every dirty (read - used) needle that a drug user trades-in.  The needle exchange system makes it easier for intravenous drug users to financially support their habits.  It makes sick sense - twisted logic, as it were - for a state that already pays for housing, food, and basic health care to now provide needles for citizens to shoot drugs.

   The needle exchange gives new meaning to President Herbert Hoover’s old political promise of a “chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.”

   Let us look at the drug needle issue from another angle.  It has been said - whether it is true or not is another story - “it takes a village to raise a child.”  I will not want my grown children to shoot intravenous drugs.  As much as I do not want this, it ultimately is my child’s personal decision.  Assuming my child develops a desire for intravenous drugs, I will certainly not pay for his drugs or drug paraphernalia.  How is it that state and city governments force me to pay to provide any one showing up to the Oasis Drop Center with free needles for a personal habit that I do not endorse? Second, why should any NJ resident have to pay for anyone who chooses to use drugs?

   This brings us back to “it takes a village to raise a child.”  What if the neighbor on the corner were giving my child a needle to shoot drugs?  I would take action to stop him from enabling my child’s illegal activity.  The representatives of the Atlantic City community have decided that they will encourage intravenous drug use in the City.  The City has collaborated with the state to force the entire state to pay for drug users’ needles.  The City has also decided that they want to market Atlantic City both as an all-purpose destination and a distribution center for drug users from any place to receive multiple unused needles in exchange for used needles.

   The law says it is  illegal to possess a hypodermic needle in NJ.  Atlantic City’s free needle distribution in collaboration with state government say it is legal.  These governmental bodies speak out of both sides of their mouths. 

   Parents, whether you like it or not, if your child decides to use intravenous drugs, you will be paying for their drug habit.  So much for parental authority.  So much for community standards.  So much for law. 

   From Atlantic City - alluding to the Margaret Wise Brown classic -  goodnight family structure, goodnight community decency, and goodnight rule of law.   

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Senator John McCain’s Alleged Lobbyist-Romance Represents Atlantic City School Board Sunday, Feb 24 2008

    The New York Times accused Senator John McCain of having an affair with lobbyist Vicki Iseman.  Ms. Iseman works for Alcalde & Fay, a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm.  Alcalde & Fay has many clients.  One client is the Atlantic City School Board.

   Follow this Scholastic syllogism.  Vicki Iseman lobbies for Alcalde & Fay.  Alcalde & Fay lobbies for the Atlantic City School Board.  Therefore, Vicki Iseman lobbies for the Atlantic City School Board.

   It is amusing to find Atlantic City’s connection to national issues. 

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Move Over Water Club, Here Comes The Chelsea Saturday, Feb 23 2008

   All of the new hotel-hype has been focused on Borgata’s Water Club.  Then, whatever energy is left over focuses on the Harrah’s expansion.  Yet there is a hotel that is generating quite a buzz.  Remarkably, it is not a Casino’s project. 
   Our expert in the hotel business, Andrew Calvo, has this to say about The Chelsea:

They are setting up The Chelsea to be a nightlife destination and I think its a refreshing change from what’s currently in Atlantic City. Not that I have a problem with Atlantic City’s nightlife (almost every casino has a club, and of course - all serve alcohol throughout the gaming floor) it’s just nice to see an environment that does not revolve around gaming in Atlantic City. It’s a place where people can go and relax and be in a busy, city environment - almost like you’d find in any major city around America. Atlantic City does not currently have that.

We share Mr. Calvo’s excitement for The Chelsea’s opening.  That along with Water Club and Harrah’s expansion project are great news for Atlantic City.  Despite a decrease in profits last year City development plows ahead.  The developers are doing their job.  It remains to be seen if the City will accommodate the development with prudent governance, or interfere with development through undue government interference and micromanagement. 

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29 Atlantic City To-Dos Saturday, Feb 23 2008

   Prnewswire has the impetus and acumen to provide visitors (and locals too, but we must keep that a secret, for locals pride themselves in knowing much more of the area than those lowly “shoobies”) with 29 experiences to try on Leap Day, 29 February.

   Here are a few suggestions of places to visit that did not make the list.  White House Sub Shop, Tony’s Baltimore Grill, Formica’s Bakery and Cafe, Craig Callaway’s Jail Cell, Dante Hall, The Irish Pub, & Little Saigon.  Now that you know how much we like to eat, enjoy Prnewswire’s Leap Day To Do List.

   Then leave a comment here about what you would add or delete from PR’s list.

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A Suggestion To Lower Taxes Friday, Feb 22 2008

As noted in the Press of Atlantic City:

Jesse Kurtz, of Atlantic City, suggested saving money by enforcing immigration laws and denying health care to people who are in the country illegally.

Enforcing the laws is a good thing.  We are in the bad habit of turning a blind eye to certain laws and being overbearing with other laws.  All of the laws should be enforced until they are changed by legislation.  There is a significant portion of the state budget devoted to health care costs for illegal aliens who show up in the hospital.

   My respondent implied that enforcing the law will prevent illegals and legal citizens from receiving treatment in an emergency.  When someone shows up to the hospital, on the verge of death, I would never suggest that we turn them away.  American hospitals treat anyone who enters their door in critical condition, without regard to monetary or citizen status.  After treating an illegal alien, there should be a van ready to begin the deportation of said illegal alien.  Enforce the laws.

   In response to my comment, Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty alluded to a bill he sponsors that makes it easier to enforce our immigration laws.  The Assemblyman proposes that citizenship must be established in order to receive any state, local, or county benefit.  A658  Requires proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain certain benefits.  

   The bill eliminates costs resulting from illegal aliens turning up in hospitals, schools, and even receiving a share of the recent economic stimulus plan.  The bill helps the AtlantiCare Medical Center in Atlantic City, decreasing the number of illegal aliens that the hospital treats, does not receive payment, and then passes the bill to taxpayers.

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Atlantic City’s Needed Infrastructure Wednesday, Feb 20 2008

   NBC 40 featured a piece “Atlantic City Prepares For Influx Of New Employees.”  They report:

Tom carver, [sic] executive director of the casino reinvestment development authority, says the casinos face a tremendous challenge handling the crush of up to 40,000 additional workers without adding to traffic congestion on local roads.

   In my debut column for the February 2008 Casino Connection I remarked,

The anticipated Water Club at Borgata and the Harrah’s expansion will bring increased traffic to the Marina District. Why not anticipate traffic problems rather than sloppily respond to them?

Check out the rest of what I identify as the Top Ten Political Priorities for Atlantic City.

   Mr. Carver is right in pointing out that Atlantic City’s infrastructure  is not ready to handle the thousands of new employees slated to begin working in A.C.  There is also the issue of needed infrastructure to accommodate the hundreds of thousands, ultimately millions of new visitors, who will visit the new casino and hotel development.

  These factors place more impetus on the need for Atlantic City to cut out the political patronage that is rampant in the City budget.  Money will be needed to provide updated infrastructure improvements.  A smart fiscal policy can both perform infrastructure improvements and lower the budget.  A smart fiscal policy is what is needed, yet a smart fiscal policy is hard to find in Atlantic City.

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Atlantic City Transparency Monday, Feb 18 2008

   Does not exist.  We want to pioneer a political culture of transparency in Atlantic City.  I encourage you to assist us with making every single action of the government known to the public.  Start today.  Print out this form.  You now have the tool to get answers to any question you can mentally conceive. 

   Please know that you have a forum to post any public information on City government.  E-mail JesseOKurtz@gmail.com for more information.

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An Atlantic City Chance for Caritas Monday, Feb 18 2008

   Caritas is Latin for charity.  When we think of charity we think of giving money to a group like Salvation Army.  Caritas applies more to an outpouring of love in a genuine attempt to better another person’s life and predicament.

   There is a fundraiser being held on February 28 to benefit the rehabilitation of Malikia J. Washington.  5 - 8pm in Flame’s at California and the Boardwalk is the event.  The fundraiser’s flyer. 

   Washington’s predicament is tragic.  Read the Press of AC’s story.  George Tibbitt, Eddie Davis, Darryl Dato, Stephanie Dixon, and everyone involved are to be commended for organizing this event.  

   It is not just for Government to just write a check to solve problems.  Solving these problems is the job of the people in the community.  Here is an example of real politics, i.e. people in the community using their own money, their own talents of party organization, to raise money for another’s misfortune.  Here is an opportunity for caritas.  Will it be seized?

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An Atlantic City Review Saturday, Feb 16 2008

   Steve Persall writes a mixed review of Atlantic City.  One stinging passage from his review:

Atlantic City is Biloxi, Miss., with a boardwalk, a proud but economically challenged community hoping tourists tide them over until summertime. The main attractions are fine dining and gambling, with nine casinos in quasi-elegant resorts — three owned by Donald Trump.

Anyone not familiar with Biloxi does not have to pick up a John Grisham novel to know that the comparison is not flattering.

   Mr. Persall gives favorable remarks as well.  Yet his underlining point lingers: Atlantic City is still far from being an all-purpose resort.  We need more attractions and we need them soon, in order to compete with PA slot parlors.

  Read the Miami Herald review.

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