Local Campaign Finance
The Atlantic City fight for mail-in ballots turned out to be the make-or-break in yesterday’s mayoral primary. Council President Marty Small won at the polls, but lost to Frank Gilliam when the mail-in ballots were counted, the Press of Atlantic City’s John DeRosier reported. That difference comes down to money and out-of-town contacts. Gilliam had raised a whopping $87,105 ahead of the election, according to his most recent campaign finance filing. More than double the $36,673 Small raised over the same period. And that was just for the primary. Stay tuned to Route 40’s Watchdog section, we’ll be analyzing the campaign finance filings as they come in for all the South Jersey races in November.
View from inside the Futuro House in Infrared via @timmcglynn in Greenwich, New Jersey.
In other election news, Democrats Vince Mazzeo and John Armato won the two spots to represent the Democratic Party in the race for the state Assembly in the 2nd District this November and Eric Scheffler got the Dems nomination to run for Atlantic County Sheriff. The Press has more details of Cape May and other South Jersey elections here.
Stay Fancy, Longport
Longport just installed a beach-tag vending machine. It currently takes only exact change and the price will be going up to a massive $30 on June 17, but hey – it couldn’t be more convenient. It’s available 24/7 (in the foyer of the Borough’s police department). We have the details on Route 40.
In the rest of the day’s news, Mary Lee the shark is still in the neighborhood (off Ocean City this morning), here’s a update on the Black Horse Pike construction projects, President Trump’s pick for FBI director is Christopher Wray, who was Christie’s attorney for the George Washington Bridge lane-closure trial, and read about a Linwood effort to fight drug abuse. All that and more below.
Pleasantville Man Killed When Trash Truck Hits Pole in Middle Township–A 44-year-old Pleasantville man was killed Tuesday morning in Middle Township when the trash truck he was riding on struck a utility pole. Christopher Rice, of Gold Medal Environmental of Woodbine, was riding on the back of a trash truck traveling east on Highs Beach Road when the truck ran off the road and side-swiped a utility pole, according to a statement from the Middle Township Police Department. Press of Atlantic City
Guns, Heroin and Cocaine Found in Alleged Pleasantville Dealer’s Shed–A Pleasantville man was arrested last week after authorities searched the alleged drug dealer's shed and found guns, cocaine and a kilo of heroin, officials said. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City Woman Continues Chasing Dreams by Becoming Playwright–Kia Payne is a grandmother of five, a mother of two and a dealer at Borgata — and she’s not finished chasing her dreams. In the past five years, the 42-year-old Atlantic City resident has published three fiction novels and has written, produced and directed an original play, which debuted in October. Press of Atlantic City
Jump into Double Dutch at Brown’s Park with Princess Inc.–As the reopening of Atlantic City's Brown’s Park neared, property manager Amina Parker-Williams was at a planning meeting with some of her tenants, who were sharing what they’d like to see in the park. “One of my residents at School House — she gave the suggestion we could do double Dutch because that’s what we used to do back in the day,” said Parker-Williams, who manages the School House, Disston and Liberty apartments. Press of Atlantic City
Free Summer Meal Program Faces Challenges–Summer meal programs for children are increasingly important as families may be getting less support from food stamps and pantries, advocates told state legislators at a hearing Monday. But immigration fears may prevent some of the most vulnerable children from participating, speakers said. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic County Freeholders Approve 2017 Budget–The nine Atlantic County freeholders unanimously approved a $205 million budget for this year that will increase taxes on 21 of the 23 municipalities. Press of Atlantic City