Atlantic City, already under state control and with a mayor under FBI scrutiny, faces new push to

Atlantic City, already under state control and with a mayor under FBI scrutiny, faces new push to change its form of government


Atlantic City’s mayor, whose authority is already under the control of the State of New Jersey, is facing a new threat: an effort to change the city’s form of government.

Former State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who is from North Jersey, said Wednesday that he is working with Resorts Casino owner Morris Bailey and Bob McDevitt, president of the Unite Here Local 54 casino workers union, to change Atlantic City’s mayor-and-council government to one in which a professional city manager is the chief executive.

“This is an effort to bring good government to Atlantic City,” Lesniak said. “What good is returning to the old way of things? How many mayors wind up in jail? The goal is not to return to the old ways, which have not served Atlantic City well.”

City Council President Marty Small Sr. called the effort a “heist of our local government,” and said he would comment further Thursday.

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/atlantic-city-mayor-government-takeover-change-mcdevitt-lesniak-20190619.html