Vol. 4, No. 11, November 2007
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Sad Chapter Not Quite Over
Since its establishment in 1978, there has been no suggestion that the gaming industry in Atlantic City has been anything other than upstanding, responsible and respectable. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the city’s government, which endured another stain last month. I know we’re all sick of the situation surrounding the former mayor, but you can read a recap on page 12 in the Tides section. Some in and around Atlantic City are relieved and ready to put this period behind us. But it’s a long way from being over. The prescription to resolve the situation when a mayor resigns is for the city Democrat Party to submit three names to city council, who will then choose one of those names to assume the office. Sounds reasonable, since Levy was a Democrat, at least in name (he was a lifelong Republican until someone “suggested” it might be advantageous for him to become a Democrat).
The problem is that the city’s Democrats are still controlled by the un-indicted members of the Callaway gang. Levy may be gone, but Callaway is still exerting his influence from behind bars. Hopefully, City Council, which is no longer controlled by its disgraced former president, will reject all the nominees who are tainted by a Callaway connection.
The only rational remedy is a new vote for a mayor. There is still just over a year left in Levy’s term, so it makes sense that the citizens of Atlantic City should have a say over who becomes the mayor for that time.
And I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t stick with the man who assumed the mayoralty when Levy stepped down, City Council President William “Speedy” Marsh. Regular readers of Casino Connection will recall we named Speedy one of our “People to Watch” in last January’s magazine. Speedy has proven to be a uniter, someone who understands that to succeed in Atlantic City, you have to work with all factions. He’s a pragmatist who wants to do what’s best for the city—businesses and residents alike. That’s a big change from the Callaway regime, which only wanted what was best for the Callaways and their allies. Atlantic City needs someone who has the good of the city in mind.
Arguments have been made that the casino industry prospers and progresses no matter what happens in city government (in fact, on the day of Levy’s resignation, MGM Mirage announced a $5 billion project for Atlantic City, infinitely more important than Levy’s departure). There’s some validity to that point of view, but can you imagine how the city would move forward with a forward-looking mayor; one who not only does what’s best for the city businesses and residents, but one can be the “face” of Atlantic City and show the world what we truly can accomplish?
That face, in my view, can be Speedy Marsh. Let’s at least give him a chance for the next two years.
And speaking of elections, on November 6, one of the most important elections in years will be held when Atlantic City picks a majority of its city council and all the local representatives for the state legislature are to be chosen.
Now, we’re not endorsing any candidates in this election because most of them seem to understand the importance of the gaming industry to their districts. If you read last month’s magazine, we presented the views of all the assembly and senate candidates on gaming issues, so you should have a good understanding where they stand on these issues, which are so important to the health of the largest industry in South Jersey. Read them closely and combine what you know about them on issues unrelated to gaming, and you’ll have a good idea which way you’re going to vote.
But it is crucial that you do vote. And not only to have a say in the direction the region and the state will head in the next several years, but also because it demonstrates the potential power of the casino employee voting machine. We have the power to hold politicians accountable when they do things that harm the industry and the region, so show them you care and you’re involved. It will send a powerful message.
