2023 Spotlight: Balancing development and character in South Jersey
December 2022—New Jersey is on the up — and while the state continues its efforts to become more business friendly, South Jersey stakeholders continue to grapple with how best to balance development while maintaining its distinct charm as 2023 nears. As New Jersey’s growing economy sees it slowly rise through state rankings, density and land […]
Meet AC Celebrates a Successful 2022 and Welcomes 11 Conventions and Competitions
Atlantic City, NJ – Jan. 4, 2023 – In 2022, Meet AC and the Atlantic City Sports Commission hosted 210 competitions, conventions and sporting events across the destination, with 80 of the events taking place at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The destination was proud to host landmark events like the 113th NAACP National Convention in July, the Meet AC […]
New president to lead Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino
Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino on Tuesday hired a new management team as the property pushes for an even greater share of the market. George Goldhoff was named president of the casino and Mike Sampson was named general manager. Both men are expected to start within the next few weeks after approval by New Jersey […]
Lucy the Elephant unveils new look after 15-month restoration project
After 15 months and $2.4 million in restorations, Lucy the Elephant unveiled her new look Wednesday before a couple hundred fans. The elephant’s caretakers held a celebration that included city resident Dan Walsh singing the “Lucy the Elephant” song and speeches from Commissioner John Amodeo and Assemblyman Don Guardian, R-Atlantic. Police blocked off the streets […]
All of us are due and deserving of a happy new year in 2023
Let’s face it: As a society, we have not been on a good run. A pandemic. Political turmoil that has divided our country in half. Crazy inflation rates. Horrific gas prices. A recession (yes, we are in one even if no one will officially say we are). An abundance of mass shootings … do I […]
Critics say push for bail reform rollback is driven by politics, not data
There’s a new bipartisan push in Trenton to roll back changes made to New Jersey’s bail system. Bail reform was enacted five years ago under then-Republican Gov. Chris Christie, making the state among the first in the nation effectively to eliminate cash bail. Democrats have now joined in the call for a rollback in bail […]
Atlantic City gives itself a 90% grade on performance in 2022
The mayor and his department heads fulfilled about 90% of the promises made in last year’s State of the City address, according to reports given in a two-hour news conference Tuesday morning. Among the highlights of city accomplishments were a property tax decrease; re-creation of the recreation program; permanent promotions for police leadership, including Chief […]
Sustain and Serve program receives an extra $5M in state funds
Food banks and other nonprofits who work to feed the hungry take no holiday this time of year. Food insecurity is widespread in New Jersey, but the state is now making an additional investment in one program that is helping provide meals to the needy — allocating another $5 million to the Sustain and Serve […]
John Lamey stepping down after leading Atlantic County development agency through busy two decades
The longtime head of the Atlantic County Improvement Authority is retiring this week after 22 years of shepherding construction projects around the county. “I have a growing family — three wonderful daughters who live locally and four grandchildren,” said John Lamey, 64, of Galloway Township. “I want to spend some more time with them, and […]
Is a bidding process needed to pick a Bader Field developer? State won’t say.
The state won’t answer a simple question: Is it legally necessary for the city to hold a competitive bidding process to decide who will develop the 142-acre, city-owned waterfront property at Bader Field? “Respectfully, we decline comment,” Department of Community Affairs spokesperson Lisa Ryan said in an email response Wednesday to the question. Two competing […]