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Atlantic City mayoral candidates discuss the issues with Casino Connection
Economically and politically, it’s been a tough year in Atlantic City and across the United States. Now, in what may be the city’s most challenging economic climate in decades, it’s time to choose yet another interim mayor.
The candidate choosen in November will serve out the final year of former Mayor Robert Levy’s term.
Casino Connection asked the three mayoral candidates five questions that are especially important to a key constituency: the city’s 9,000 resident casino workers, as well as tens of thousands of men and women who come here each day to work.
The candidates are:
• Acting Mayor Lorenzo Langford, chosen by Democrats during the June primary to replace acting Mayor Scott Evans
• Republican John McQueen Jr., former director of operations for the city’s Special Improvement District
• Independent Joseph Polillo, license inspector for the Atlantic City Division of Construction.
Here’s what they had to say.
How will you approach the possible development of new casinos in Atlantic City if you become mayor?
LANGFORD: Cautiously.
McQUEEN: Projects on the table should be developed as we explore other possibilities, but it’s crucial to maintain our neighborhoods. The industry pays 80 percent of city taxes, yet taxes rise with each new construction. The problem may not be the industry, but elected officials past and present who handle the monies.
POLILLO: Every administration in our casino history has squandered, lost and misappropriated the revenue and ratables. I will correct the mistakes of the past, reduce spending of new revenues, and apply the monies to lower property taxes and tax relief.
What is your view regarding the development of Bader Field?
LANGFORD: I support the development of Bader Field, inasmuch as it represents our last chance. Therefore, we have to get it right this time.
McQUEEN: The city must not rush into any sale. I’d like to see a diverse, energetic area, generating revenue as it offers amenities the gaming houses don’t offer. I’m not opposed to casinos there, but with a twist to them—a uniqueness to bring back the “wow” to Atlantic City.
POLILLO: I call for a moratorium on the development of Bader Field, which I believe was closed prematurely. The Boardwalk casino line should be developed first to complete the original plan. My view is to lease Bader Field land, not to sell it.
Do you support plans for one-way traffic on Pacific Avenue?
LANGFORD: At this point, the answer is no. I am open to revisiting my position, but only after all other options have been considered and pursued should we resort to something that drastic.
McQUEEN: The founding fathers could never have imagined over 3 million people per year coming to Atlantic City, or the number of buses, trucks, SUVs and all modes of transportation driving down our narrow streets. We must evolve or we will surely perish. The dinosaurs found that out the hard way.
POLILLO: No! The traffic study of $2.5 million proposed by CRDA and the SJTA is a misuse of funds by the state. New Jersey Transit and the jitneys are at loggerheads, making the plan inoperable. Use the money for street lighting, Boardwalk lighting, Boardwalk reconstruction and cameras citywide.
Now that City Council has imposed a casino smoking ban, do you favor further city control over the casinos, i.e., taxing slot machines or gaming positions or requiring unionization for casino employees?
LANGFORD: It would depend on what specific issue was brought before me.
McQUEEN: The city has its hands full running the day-to-day activities of the municipality. In cases of health and welfare we may intercede, but for the most part it’s an area that would foster an open door policy among the industry and its employees while allowing the industry to function competitively.
POLILLO: The city cannot require the unionization of casino employees. I do support union right to organize. I believe only the state has the legislative powers to control what goes on inside the casinos. I do support sports betting for Atlantic City casinos and think the city should receive a share of that revenue.
Will you be a candidate for the next four-year term in November 2009?
LANGFORD: It is premature to have any discussions relative to 2009 at this point. Certainly I am not adverse to that possibility.
McQUEEN: I plan to accomplish several goals: lower taxes, reduce crime, create new revenue sources and improve quality of life for our residents and homeless. One councilman made the comment, what can be done in one year? My goal is to show how much can be accomplished in one year and beyond.
POLILLO: Yes, I would want to serve beyond this year, but it would be foolish for me to make such a statement that I would run for the four-year term in 2009 at this time.
The candidate choosen in November will serve out the final year of former Mayor Robert Levy’s term.
Casino Connection asked the three mayoral candidates five questions that are especially important to a key constituency: the city’s 9,000 resident casino workers, as well as tens of thousands of men and women who come here each day to work.
The candidates are:
• Acting Mayor Lorenzo Langford, chosen by Democrats during the June primary to replace acting Mayor Scott Evans
• Republican John McQueen Jr., former director of operations for the city’s Special Improvement District
• Independent Joseph Polillo, license inspector for the Atlantic City Division of Construction.
Here’s what they had to say.
How will you approach the possible development of new casinos in Atlantic City if you become mayor?
LANGFORD: Cautiously.McQUEEN: Projects on the table should be developed as we explore other possibilities, but it’s crucial to maintain our neighborhoods. The industry pays 80 percent of city taxes, yet taxes rise with each new construction. The problem may not be the industry, but elected officials past and present who handle the monies.
POLILLO: Every administration in our casino history has squandered, lost and misappropriated the revenue and ratables. I will correct the mistakes of the past, reduce spending of new revenues, and apply the monies to lower property taxes and tax relief.
What is your view regarding the development of Bader Field?
LANGFORD: I support the development of Bader Field, inasmuch as it represents our last chance. Therefore, we have to get it right this time.
McQUEEN: The city must not rush into any sale. I’d like to see a diverse, energetic area, generating revenue as it offers amenities the gaming houses don’t offer. I’m not opposed to casinos there, but with a twist to them—a uniqueness to bring back the “wow” to Atlantic City.
POLILLO: I call for a moratorium on the development of Bader Field, which I believe was closed prematurely. The Boardwalk casino line should be developed first to complete the original plan. My view is to lease Bader Field land, not to sell it.
Do you support plans for one-way traffic on Pacific Avenue?
LANGFORD: At this point, the answer is no. I am open to revisiting my position, but only after all other options have been considered and pursued should we resort to something that drastic.
McQUEEN: The founding fathers could never have imagined over 3 million people per year coming to Atlantic City, or the number of buses, trucks, SUVs and all modes of transportation driving down our narrow streets. We must evolve or we will surely perish. The dinosaurs found that out the hard way.
POLILLO: No! The traffic study of $2.5 million proposed by CRDA and the SJTA is a misuse of funds by the state. New Jersey Transit and the jitneys are at loggerheads, making the plan inoperable. Use the money for street lighting, Boardwalk lighting, Boardwalk reconstruction and cameras citywide.Now that City Council has imposed a casino smoking ban, do you favor further city control over the casinos, i.e., taxing slot machines or gaming positions or requiring unionization for casino employees?
LANGFORD: It would depend on what specific issue was brought before me.
McQUEEN: The city has its hands full running the day-to-day activities of the municipality. In cases of health and welfare we may intercede, but for the most part it’s an area that would foster an open door policy among the industry and its employees while allowing the industry to function competitively.
POLILLO: The city cannot require the unionization of casino employees. I do support union right to organize. I believe only the state has the legislative powers to control what goes on inside the casinos. I do support sports betting for Atlantic City casinos and think the city should receive a share of that revenue.
Will you be a candidate for the next four-year term in November 2009?
LANGFORD: It is premature to have any discussions relative to 2009 at this point. Certainly I am not adverse to that possibility.
McQUEEN: I plan to accomplish several goals: lower taxes, reduce crime, create new revenue sources and improve quality of life for our residents and homeless. One councilman made the comment, what can be done in one year? My goal is to show how much can be accomplished in one year and beyond.
POLILLO: Yes, I would want to serve beyond this year, but it would be foolish for me to make such a statement that I would run for the four-year term in 2009 at this time.
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