ATLANTIC CITIZENS
Commentary
between Citizens inside Atlantic City & Environs
A Conversation with
SCOTT
EVANS, Deputy Chief of the Atlantic City Fire Department & former Mayor of
Atlantic City
and
GEORGE LOZA, Architect & Citizens Campaign City Storyteller,
Atlantic City Bureau
By George C. Loza//GCLoza@Gmail.com;
AdaptiveAC.com
George:
Talking with you in the past, I sense
your strong attachment and caring concern about Atlantic City and the
area. I recall how you were animated about
discussing the outcomes on Election Day in Brigantine. With your broad-ranging civic interest and
involvement, the intent of this inaugural conversation is to provide a context
for the issues faced by our City, which we will be able to go into in greater
depth in the future. But we can't let
talk show hosts have all the fun! While
this interview format is so much more literate and substantial when published compared
to ephemeral banter, I hope we'll present insightful "scoops" that
will provide a factor promoting greater dissemination of information on these
fundamentally serious topics.
When and why were you
Mayor of Atlantic City, how long have you been with the AC Fire Department, and
what part of Atlantic City do you reside in?
Scott:
I was Mayor from November 2007 to
November 2008. I replaced Bob Levy, who
stepped down from office. I then ran
against Lorenzo Langford in the Democratic Primary, who became the Mayor. I have been with the Fire Department for 26
years. I live in the Venice Park neighborhood
of Atlantic City.
George: Some have said I bring up linkages where
there are none: I tend to wish to foster wholeness. In any case, your abrupt appointment as Mayor
indirectly reminds me of the Brigantine City Council situation upcoming in January,
where Republicans will propose replacements for the 1st Ward
Councilman.
I attended the
Brigantine Republican Victory Party meeting.
From there it appeared that Jim Mackay may be one of those popularly
proposed for 1st Ward Councilman.
Since then, he has spoken at the recent Brigantine Lions Club meeting,
which I’ve noticed anoints candidates.
Along these lines, per songstress Adelle, "rumor has it" that
Ed will be the Manager and Matt will return in the New Year. It’s funny about rumors, I don’t know from
where they stem. More about gossip as grist, at a future time!
Continuing with
Brigantine for the moment, since you have an interest in Brigantine as well, in
reference to past Brigantine events: while it was reasonable to appoint the
Public Safety Director in an interim, it really was not viable to drag out the
appointment of Chiefs indefinitely, whether or not there was to be a savings. It also coalesced the opposition around an
issue and thus thereafter.
Scott: Yes, the Public Safety Director was the death
of the Brigantine Democrats in this election!
Fire and Police Departments need continuity of the leadership, so chiefs
should have been appointed sooner. It is
political will to have a Public Safety Director. We do not have one in Atlantic City. A Public Safety Director could be part-time
in order to negotiate with the departments: the Police Department, the Fire Department,
EMS (Emergency Medical Services), OEM (Office of Emergency Management), the
Lifeguards, and Communications, as in Atlantic City.
George: In reference to these negotiations of the
Brigantine Police and Fire Department contracts, which have been going on for
about 2 years, what of going to arbitration? It appears there is something dreaded about it.
While the exact outcome would be out of local control, I understand New Jersey
Arbiters are required to instill a 2% raise cap, require a personal
contribution into their Health Care Plans which hasn't been occurring during negotiations, and are to take the
economic conditions of the City into consideration.
Scott: I believe Brigantine is a Title 40; Atlantic
City is a Title 4A. [The procedure depends on the Statues and Codes]. In some Cities the Mayor is strong, or the
Mayor is weak, or divided. In Atlantic
City the Mayor can hire/fire people and make policy. In Atlantic City, City Council approves all
expenditures. The AC Mayor has his own
administrative budget for operating costs, but the budget must be approved by Council. The AC Mayor must work with
City Council, but the Mayor does not sit on Council. The Mayor does not typically attend AC Council
meetings.
George: What do you think of an Emergency Manager for
Atlantic City as brought up at the recent Summit by Governor Christie's people.
Scott: There is already a State Manager in
place. There is a need for someone who
has over-arching powers over the City, the Casino Reinvestment Development
Authority (CRDA), and (Atlantic) County.
Five areas were identified in the Hanson Report. [Scott begins Oogling for the Report] There is no one person looking into which
Project that can be started first. Susan
Ney, who's stepping down from the CRDA, was a great asset to the City. She had the vision and the trust of the
citizenship. With the right cooperation
with the State and the CRDA, Mayor Guardian can handle it.
I like the title Czar
better than Emergency Manager. The Czar
must choose one Project, must reach consensus and get shovels in the
ground. There is no time left. The
schools are also important and the Board of Ed could be configured as an Abbott
District to receive funding.
George: One of the report’s recommendations is to cut
back the AC Police & Fire Departments?
Scott: There are a sizable number of people retiring
in the Fire Department: 23 people, many of whom are middle managers. This will be a significant return to the Fire
Department. Federal grants are paying
for 50 firefighters, along with contributing grants. The firefighters will be near compliance with
the Hanson Report. The City pays 183
firefighters and 50 are paid by grants, which equals 233 firefighters. We had 261 firefighters; it will be 228 or
225 firefighters. 50 are paid by grant;
AC will only pay for 180, as per the Hanson Report.
George: Excuse my continued ignorance, but does the
CRDA pay taxes to the City? How does or will the taxes from the casinos come
back to AC?
Scott: The Hanson Report redirects casino taxes,
such as the luxury and parking tax, from the State to Atlantic City. I agree with everything from the Hanson
Report, but reports have come and gone.
The most important thing the Czar can do is get shovels in the ground.
George: What can be done about crime in the City?
Scott: The AC Police have made great improvements in
policies and technology. “Shot Spotter”
and “TIP 411" texting are making a difference. There is also community outreach: Pizza with
Police; Coffee with Cops. And Civic
Associations are involved: The Venice Park Civic Association, The Westside
Neighborhood Protective, and the 3rd Ward Civic Association.
George: I’ve wanted to attend certain of the Stop the
Violence Marches, but I've often missed the notices. I'll have to reach out
Scott: That effort is by the Church groups.
George: What of the cut backs to the AC Alliance?
Scott: It may continue as a component of the CRDA,
with responsibility assumed by the CRDA.
AC barely touches what Las Vegas spends on promotion.
George: The Sunday free concerts on the beach
appeared very successful; the boardwalk was jammed with people in cowboy boots
afterwards. The light show in front of
Boardwalk Hall is entertaining and can be seen from inside the Ocean One Pier.
The art installations
may have been derided, yet I’ve cut through that Art Park on Pacific Avenue
several times on the way to the Boardwalk.
While the sculptures, that now have been returned, may have been
somewhat controversial, I found the mounds and the lit-up words to be quite
inspirational, personally. While the route
cutting through was a bit intentionally circuitous, I just read in a National
Geographic how green spaces in cities, such as Paris and elsewhere, tend to cut
down on area crime and there is less litter.
Also, people have mentioned to me that they enjoy the art installation
on the Boardwalk at California Avenue, where they have the Zumba. On a side note, that Bungalow Beach Bar at
California Avenue is a blast.
Scott: Yeah, that place is great! Across Pacific Avenue from the Art Park are
plans for a fresh food Market Place, like the Eataly in the Flatiron District in
New York City.
George: I thought you said Eatery, until you I looked
it up; maybe this place should be called the Eatery.
Scott: There are many projects being started. The art installation you mentioned at
California Avenue is being replaced with Boardwalk stores. Then there is West Hall, next to Boardwalk Hall by Toll Brothers. The Boraie- Shaq Development may start just north
of the Revel.
George: How about the largest Art Gallery in the
world: The David Holtzman Gallery, to be in the Claridge Hotel, that’s exciting! And Bart Blatstein buying Ocean One Pier for
a song. That One Atlantic event space
out at the end of the Pier is one of the most dramatic spaces I have been in
with the views and all that white marble, fireplaces, and shimmering glass. Bart Blatstein revitalized several
neighborhoods in Philadelphia, where I was born and lived. It had been my original plan to return and
revitalize certain of those Philadelphia neighborhoods as well. I must admit Bart revitalized certain
neighborhoods where I was surprised as to the extent of his success, so I guess
he will be able to do this in Atlantic City too! I'll have to write him a letter!
Scott: He will need the cooperation of Caesars.
George: Oh, I believe he will get that
cooperation. While I do not gamble much
myself, people often go gambling at the closest location after an event at that
Atlantic One. I really like the stores
that are still there at Ocean One, such as Tommy Bahamas and especially Armani
Exchange: the cut of the clothes actually fit me.
Scott: There’s the Bass Pro Shops going up and we
are to get a Cracker-barrel. They say
you’re not on the map until you get a Cracker-barrel!
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