Atlantic City’s Water
Atlantic City’s water authority in May hired a well-known New Jersey-based financial advisor to help it craft a concession plan that could free up some cash for the debt-laden casino resort and stave off a state takeover. Just a few months later, the financial advisor abruptly abandoned its contract with the water authority to begin working with the New Jersey department that would eventually take over Atlantic City. What exactly happened, and what might the state’s insight into the water authority, gleaned through advisor Acacia Financial, mean for its future? Route 40 takes a look here.
Policing
Meanwhile, the city’s police will show up for work no matter what happens in talks with the state over cuts to the force or salaries and benefits, PBA president Matt Rogers said, responding to rumors of a strike. “We take our profession very seriously. We are offended that those who have any contact with us would think for a second we would jeopardize the safety of this city over a dispute over compensation or treatment from the state,” Rogers told Lynda Cohen at BreakingAC.com.
Traffic
The Philadelphia Inquirer takes a look into construction on a Garden State Parkway bridge between Atlantic and Cape May counties. Work on the bridge over the Great Egg Harbor Bay is likely to disrupt traffic for another two summers, the paper reports.
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The rest of the headlines from today and the weekend include a look at a Camden cancer-center gathering to push back against repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the death of Atlantic City and Philadelphia mob boss “little Nicky” Scarfo and the county’s foreclosure crisis.
Get ready for two more years of traffic headaches at the Jersey Shore–It can be a "delicate balancing act" for transportation officials trying to handle Jersey Shore drivers - how to accommodate them on the Garden State Parkway in both the short run and the long run. Philly.com
Experts Warn Christie’s Prescription Limits Could Cause More Addiction – NJ Spotlight–The governor wants to ‘prevent addiction before it starts’ by curbing patients’ access to medications but there is strong opposition to such mandates. www.njspotlight.com
Little Nicky Scarfo Has Died in Federal Prison–Former Philadelphia and Atlantic City mob boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo died in federal prison Friday. He was 87. BreakingAC
In Camden, Docs, Patients, Healthcare Workers Push Back Against ACA Repeal–As Congressional Republicans prepare to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), potentially stripping away health insurance protections from more than a half-million New Jersey residents and blowing a $3-billion hole in the state budget, those most directly affected by the changes are raising their voices in protest. In Camden City on Sunday, a handful of healthcare professionals, patients, and organizers gathered at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper to describe the impact of the legislation on their lives and livelihoods. NJ PEN
Foreclosures Continue to Plague Housing Market in Atlantic County–Atlantic County ended 2016 with the distinction of leading the nation in foreclosure activity, the third straight year the county held that dreaded position, according to ATTOM Data Solution, whose RealtyTrac division publishes national foreclosure figures dating to 2006. The company reported last week that 3.39 percent of Atlantic County’s housing units were in some stage of foreclosure activity, meaning the owners had received notices of default, auctions were scheduled or banks have taken the properties back. Press of Atlantic City
Almost Zero Chance of Wintry Weather This Week in New Jersey–Another January warmup is in the forecast for the Garden State, with persistent showers expected for part of the week too. New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio