We moved here when I was 6. I went to Atlantic City High School. It was a great time. The boardwalk was the place to be. The Steel Pier offered vaudeville shows with big names; we had the circus down at the end of the pier, and we had a dance hall with big bands like Benny Goodman. There was a bowling alley on the boardwalk; my first job, when I was 11, was as a pin boy picking up the pins. On Easter Sunday, people would be there in their finest clothes. You would have 300,000 people walking the boardwalk. Al Jolson came here, all the Ziegfeld performers. We were the tryout town for a lot of Broadway. There was gambling, but it was illegal; nightclubs had back rooms with a peephole. In the fifties, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis got together at the 500 Club. The Beatles came in 1964 and played the Steel Pier. They had to put them in a fish truck in order to get them through the crowd. I went to every Miss America pageant, but they didn’t modernize. The first casino, Resorts, opened in 1978. Trump came in and helped to revitalize with three hotels: the Hilton, Trump Plaza, and the Taj Mahal. Then he lost interest. In the early nineties, Atlantic City became the boxing capital of the country. Don King brought a lot of fights. We were good friends. All the celebs would come, and there would be parties after. Then the Borgata opened in 2003. And boom—the tourists came. I’m not against it. The city has a bright, new, young appeal again.
It is great to read positive stories about Atlantic City. Pinky represents the charm that comes from things that are uniquely Atlantic City.
Today’s 113th running of the Boston Marathon is not just for the young, but also the young at heart.
Among the thousands of elite athletes who will complete the grueling 26.2-mile feat from Hopkinton to Boston are regular folks like 61-year-old Jerry Mooney, a construction worker who’s running his first Boston.
“I didn’t start running until I was 49,” said Mooney, of Atlantic City, N.J., fueling up on carbs at last night’s prerace spaghetti supper at City Hall Plaza.
Determined to qualify, Mooney pounded the pavement of the Atlantic City boardwalk five nights a week, after working construction all day. He hopes to finish the race today in about five hours.
“It took me a few times to do it, but I finally qualified,” Mooney said. “Let’s just say I already feel like a winner.”
Congratulations Jerry Mooney! May your hard work and dedication pay off in a good time.
Atlantic City, NJ – 4/2/2009 – The witness was standing in the back of the Flagship Hotel when they noticed an object falling straight down. The object was orb-shaped, burning an orange color, with white smoke trailing behind it. The witness lost view of the object when it became obscured behind a row of houses.
Two questions from this Atlantic City resident. I – What houses? II – Where did the object land?
I am familiar with the Inlet. I would be curious to see where they claim the object landed on the ground.
Businessman Frank D. Formica receives Republican Party Nomination as candidate for 2nd District Freeholder Atlantic County
Atlantic County, NJ (Wednesday April 1, 2009) – Frank D. Formica, business owner Formica Bros. Bakery received the Republican Party’s nomination to run for the 2nd District Freeholder Atlantic county seat being vacated by Tom Russo yesterday evening during the Annual Republican Party Convention held in Galloway Township, NJ.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to run for 2nd District Freeholder.During my campaign I will demonstrate to the people of Atlantic County that a vote for Frank Formica is a vote for responsible government spending, responsible government spending that will drive Atlantic County’s Growth. I have a proven track record as a business and community leader, a solid foundation of over 32 years of experience growing successful businesses, serving in the community, making strategic investment decisions and champion development projects that have stimulated the economy.I know what it takes to grow a business in challenging economic times, to be fiscally responsible and to put people to work.I recognize the importance of protecting our natural resources while preserving quality of life and I pledge to continue to support this county’s open space initiatives.As 2nd District Freeholder, I will work hard on behalf of the people of Atlantic County.I am delivering results in the private sector and I will deliver results on behalf of the people as 2nd District Freeholder.” Frank D. Formica, Candidate 2nd District Freeholder
Who is Frank D. Formica
Experience
Over 32 years experience successfully running family owned businesses; Executive Administrator at Resorts International; +33 years real estate management and development
Veteran
Served in the United States Air Force from 1972-1974.
Business Experience
Successfully grew family business from a local bakery to one of the region’s largest bakeries; Served on the first Atlantic City Business development Board; Founding Board Member of St. Michael’s Development Committee responsible for constructing Dante Hall Theatre of the Arts; testified before the US Congress House of Representatives Committee on Small Business on escalating cost of food prices; Member Greater Atlantic County Development Commission
Community Leader
President Ducktown Revitalization Association, Board Member Dante Hall Theatre of the Arts, Received 2008 World of Difference Award from the Chelsea Neighborhood Association for contributions to the community.
TRENTON – A northern New Jersey lawmaker said he plans a court challenge against the current federal ban on legal sports wagering.
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, said the suit to be filed Monday will challenge the 1992 law on grounds of constitutional fairness and commerce issues.
“There is a whole kitchen sink of constitutional violations in this federal ban,” he said.
The goal is to allow sports betting in states that want it.
[...]
The move comes as Delaware Gov. Jack Markell proposed a sports betting lottery system during his budget address Thursday. The state has said the program could raise $55 million.
Regional casino gaming competition has contributed to Atlantic City’s declining revenues. Atlantic City long enjoyed both a close proximity to large population bases and the distinction of being the lone casino destination in the region. Now, the competition of slot parlors eliminates Atlantic City’s competitive advantage.
Sports betting can give Atlantic City a competitive advantage again, depending on whether we beat Delaware to the punch.
Derek Harper continues his story:
New Jersey lawmakers had sought to challenge the sports betting ban by passing legislation, setting up games and defending itself from the inevitable court challenge.
The Assembly approved a bill – locally sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, and John Burzichelli, D-Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester – allowing casino sports wagering in February with voter approval.
But in the Senate, the bill, sponsored by Lesniak and Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, has been stalled in the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee since January 2008, where Chairman Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, has not scheduled a vote.
It is sad that Senator Jim Whelan, the Senator representing Atlantic City, is holding-up the legislation that would legalize sports betting.
Sports wagering will take Atlantic City to another echelon and continue its economic growth.
It is difficult to push back the tentacles of the federal government. History will offer a few laughs for those observing nanny-state New Jersey accusing the federal government of growing too large and intrusive. Some of us here in South Jersey will laugh, too, as we cheer on Trenton to legalize sports wagering in Atlantic City.
I am cheering on Senator Lesniak, while Senator Whelan gets boos and hisses from me on obstructing the legalization of sports betting.
Dave202, this post is dedicated to you and your comment on the “Atlantic City Assemblymen’s Plan:”
Sorry to be so dense, but I don’t know what the “alternative investment tax” is. Is this the CRDA 1.25% tax on gross gaming revenues? If so, there’s not a lot of wiggle room here. The CRDA funding is earmarked for specific projects and areas for the next 20 years. Don’t think pols will give that up easily….
If not, WTF is alternative investment tax?
I want to give big kudos to the District Two Assemblymen (Amodeo and Polistina) staff for pointing me in the right direction to answer your question.
CRDA Project Funding
In addition to other gaming-related taxes, State law gives each casino a choice: pay 2.5% of its gaming revenue to the State, or reinvest 1.25% of its gaming revenues through the CRDA in community and economic development projects in Atlantic City and around the State. Without exception, the casinos have chosen reinvestment.
Under the terms of the reinvestment agreement, each casino is required to pay to the CRDA 1.25% of its annual gaming revenues for 50 years, and the CRDA invests this money in eligible projects in Atlantic City, South Jersey or North Jersey, according to the following chart set by law. By law, the casinos are entitled to a return on their investments through the CRDA.
Each casino’s required investments by years
Atlantic City
South Jersey
North Jersey
1-3
100%
-
-
4-5
90%
8%
2%
6-10
80%
12%
8%
11-15
50%
28%
22%
16-20
30%
43%
27%
21-25
20%
45%
35%
26-30
65%
-
35%
31-35
25%
25%
50%
36-50
-
50%
50%
I encourage you to read the rest of CRDA’s self-explanation. It is apparent how North Jersey Democrats have used their representative superiority in the Legislature to take Casino funds from Atlantic City and bring them further and further away from Atlantic City.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Amodeo or Vince Polistina at 609-677-8266
March 4, 2009
AMODEO AND POLISTINA PLAN TO RECHARGE CASINO INDUSTRY AND REGION
NORTHFIELD – In the absence of federal and state stimulus for the casino industry, Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vince Polistina are proposing their own plan to support existing hotel and casinos, expedite the completion of planned hotel and casinos, and promote job creation for the Atlantic City region.
“The casino industry is the number one industry in the state, and Trenton has failed to live up to its responsibility to make sure that Atlantic City generates jobs and the revenue to support programs for our senior citizens and the disabled,” said Polistina. “Our plan can lead the industry out of the economic downturn and cement Atlantic City’s position as world class destination resort.”
“We are going to help the industry by investing more money into bricks and mortar infrastructure projects that will directly support the industry and increase economic activity for the whole state. We are going to put more money into advertising so we can promote Atlantic City the way a world class destination ought to be promoted. We are going to reassure investors that Atlantic City is a solid bet. And finally, we are going to extend a lifeline to the senior citizens and disabled who depend on the services funded through the Casino Revenue Fund,” said Amodeo.
The assemblymen’s four-point legislative package proposes to:
· Provide for a five year abatement on the alternative investment tax (AIT) for all properties not yet licensed;
· Change the formulas used to fund projects in order to ensure that more money is spent in the areas affected by the growth of the casino industry. The revised formula would provide for 30 percent of the AIT to be spent in Atlantic City, 30 percent in Atlantic County, 30 percent in South Jersey and 10 percent in North Jersey
· Allow for up to half of the money dedicated to Atlantic City to spent for marketing purposes in conjunction with the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority; and
· Dedicate 0.25% of AIT to the Casino Revenue Fund in order to replace $10 – $15 million in funding for senior and disabled programs lost to declining casino revenues.
“It is not enough for Trenton to say Atlantic City is important to the entire state. We need action to back up those words,” said Polistina. “Our plan meets the competition from other states head on by providing the advertising to steer visitors our way. Our plan also provides the funding to create the amenities visitors expect when the come to a resort destination. Our plan gives hope to existing casinos and can keep projects, like Revel, alive. Our plan will produce results.”
Before the economic downturn, the casino industry employed 41,000 people directly and 21,000 indirectly. Atlantic City casinos purchased $2.2 billion worth of goods and services from New Jersey businesses throughout the state and paid over $400 million a year to support medical assistance for seniors and the disabled.
“Research shows that for every two jobs created in Atlantic City, one is created elsewhere in the state,” said Amodeo. “When Atlantic City does well, the entire state does well. There is no other industry in New Jersey that can pull the entire the state out of the recession. Only the casino industry can do that.”
In conjunction with this legislative package, Amodeo and Polistina renewed their insistence that the Governor issue an executive order declaring that Casino Control Commission employees be deemed ‘essential’ so that there are no doubts about whether the casinos will be able to remain open in the event of a budget stalemate.
Adelaide’s Place, a Day Program for homeless women in Atlantic City is holding a Pasta Night on Thursday, March 12th from 5p – 8p upstairs in the Villa Room at Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern, 2300 Fairmount Avenue in Atlantic City for $25.00 per person. Join them for food and fun! RSVP by phone 609.340.8816 or e-mail adelaidesplace@verizon.net.
Charity is the responsibility of the individual and the community, not the government. I hope to see you at this benefit for a worthwhile private charity.
LACK OF WILL PREVENTING SAFEGUARDS AGAINST CASINO SHUTDOWN
ABSECON – Tired of hearing excuses, Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vince Polistina said Governor Corzine simply lacks the will to declare Casino Control Commission employees essential state employees.
“The Governor has based his stance on legal opinion,” said Polistina. “And an ‘opinion’ is just that – one person’s side of the story. The governor needs to keep asking until he gets an answer that will allow the casinos to remain open and all of the critical senior programs that rely on the casinos to remain unaffected.”
“Keeping the casinos open should be a priority with the administration, and the state should go to the mat to keep the doors open, the employees working, and the customers coming in,” said Amodeo. “Declare Casino Control Commission employees ‘essential’ and then let someone challenge that in court.”
Since Casino Control Commission employees are not ‘essential’ state employees, if the state government shuts down like it did in 2006, Atlantic City’s casinos will have to close because there would be no casino regulators working. Under current state law, the casino would be able to remain open for seven days in the event of a state shutdown. Amodeo and Polistina are sponsoring a bill to increase that number of days casinos can remain open to 60 days.
“The casino industry in New Jersey is facing stiff competition for other states and is trying to struggle through the recession like everyone else, it does not need the state to exacerbate the situation,” said Polistina. “The governor should just say CCC employees are essential and not leave a multi-billion dollar industry at the mercy of some government lawyer.”
“It’s bad enough that the casino industry, which may be the largest employer in the state, was left out of the federal stimulus package,” said Amodeo. “Government should make some acknowledgment that the businesses, the jobs, and the senior and disabled programs generated and supported by this industry are vital to New Jersey.
Both assemblymen served on panels discussing economic development in South Jersey at today’s “Sound Off for South Jersey” event sponsored the Southern New Jersey Development Council.
In today’s letters to the Press of Atlantic City Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Kelly defends Atlantic City against a 25 January letter attacking the casino gaming industry.
Facts show casinos a boon for region
The writer of the Jan. 25 letter, “Casinos greedy, driven by profit,” says the casinos “provide little other than low-paying jobs.” That’s an opinion clearly not supported by the facts. The economic benefits provided by the New Jersey casino industry are extraordinary to say the least.
The industry employs approximately 40,000 people directly and 21,000 people indirectly. Most casino jobs include health-care benefits. In its 30-year history, New Jersey’s casino industry has generated more than $17 billion in taxes and fees for New Jersey and Atlantic City.
Only the state income tax, sales and corporate business taxes generate more tax revenue for the state than the casino industry.
In the past 23 years, $1.8 billion in investments and grants has been generated by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which is entirely funded by New Jersey’s casinos.
Furthermore, the casino industry purchases a total of $3.5 billion in goods and services each year, with $2.2 billion going directly to 4,200 New Jersey-based companies in all 21 counties. The casinos also provide millions of dollars in financial donations and in-kind services to hundreds of needy non-profit organizations.
As for the letter writer’s assertion that the casinos are profit-making organizations, since when did that become something ignoble? Profits are what enable casinos, like any other business, to grow and expand.
These are troubling economic times, to be sure. But it’s important to remember that casinos have been this region’s economic engine for three decades. Far from being part of the problem, they represent a big part of the solution.
The Press’ premise that the casinos were opened “to revive a dying economy” is basically true. But let us not forget that the casinos are profit-making organizations, in business for themselves. They are overly greedy and really provide little other than low-paying jobs.
Their workers live in surrounding areas and they and their children have forced at least three towns to build more schools. Do your readers know that casino-[r]evenue taxes are prohibited from being used for municipal or school costs?
The Press too easily accepts the facts and figures issued by the casinos as gospel. You never explain their pure profit in stories about declining revenue. It’s true profits have lessened, but that doesn’t mean they are losing money. ROB CIRILLO
Galloway Township
I applaud President Kelly in taking Mr. Cirillo’s garbage premises to task. I join the President in pointing out the idiocy of Mr. Cirillo. First,
It’s true profits have lessened, but that doesn’t mean they are losing money.
Profits are money. This statement is the second dumbest statement I have encountered today. The winner for “Dumb as Soap” award is Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
The big point not mentioned is that municipal and state government have been guilty of dropping the ball. Tax revenues have exceeded anyone’s faintest ideas of thirty years ago, when casino gaming began. Government has invented many ways to squander tax money over the last thirty years. The failure can be placed at the feet of government for not fulfilling the full promise of casino gaming, i.e. little to non-existent property taxes, top-notch services, and a clean city for starters.
It remains left to younger generations to fulfill the promises of casino gaming while cleansing local and state government of the corrupt advocates of growing government and dishing out patronage jobs with tax dollars.
