Casinos
Yesterday there was a mysterious event in Trenton featuring Governor Chris Christie and executives from Caesars Entertainment and MGM. Nothing much was said, but there were some hints at some kind of potential collaboration and investment, with details to be announced soon, the Press of Atlantic City reported. This is interesting. The sixth-most-valuable package of land in Atlantic City (according to 2017 assessments it is worth $153.5 million*) is a parcel in the marina district, including land between the Borgata and Harrah’s (owned by MGM and Caesars respectively). Once upon a time, Steve Wynn had plans for it – the Mirage Atlantic City. Maybe this is connected to Christie’s hyped announcement?
Separately, Christie made some allusions to casino regulation changes, covered by Wayne Parry for the AP. Parry notes that Caesars executive Marc Frissora touted the company’s $300 million investment in Atlantic City since 2014 (during which time Caesars was in bankruptcy). Frissora did not mention that Caesars closed one casino (Showboat) and jointly bought and closed another (Atlantic Club). Nor did he mention that much of the company’s $300 million investment was in the form of state credits and loans to renovate its boardwalk frontage and build the Harrah’s conference center, which now eats the lunch of the state-run Atlantic City Convention Center.
*of course this assessment is currently under appeal.
Music Video
If you do one thing today, watch this beautiful music video that was filmed in and around Atlantic City by Sherry McCracken of Ventnor’s Little Rock Film + Studios. The Black Horse Pike motels have never looked so beautiful.
In the rest of the news from yesterday and this morning, check out this interactive map of where New Jersey’s most generous political donors live (Cape May is a hotbed), Commissioner Richman writes an OpEd that says Atlantic County should (I’m paraphrasing) quit whining about the PILOT agreements, home heating bills are likely to rise as natural gas prices go up, read the governor candidates’ thoughts on affordable housing, and go and pick up a discount-priced kitten in Voorhees. All that and more below the events roundup.
Picture via @sustaincreate on Instagram.
Looking for something to do this weekend? There is a lot going on. Over in the pines you can catch Beardfest through Saturday, while Atlantic City’s food truck festival runs all weekend. There’s also a rally on the boardwalk in AC on Saturday, at midday, organized by State Free AC as well as a city-wide canvass effort for the petition to protect AC’s Municipal Utilities Authority. Then Sunday at 6 pm is the Ventnor beach concert – this week featuring Hawkins Road.
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Alec Baldwin Helps Raise $5M for NJ Democrats–Alec Baldwin, the actor whose impersonations of President Trump has made Saturday Night Live must-see TV for liberals and political junkies, helped raise $5.1 million Thursday night for New Jersey Democrats. That’s believed to be the most money ever raised by either party at a single event in state history, according to General Majority PAC, which hosted the fund-raiser. Philly.com
Norcross Announces Federal Grant to Area Health Care Center–Congressman Donald Norcross announced on Thursday that a local South Jersey health center will be receiving a grant from the federal government. The CAMcare Health Corporation was awarded a health-care center program grant of more than $2.4 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.snjtoday.com
Maple Shade First Aid Squad Chief Arrested For Stealing Agency Funds–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Gary C. Gubbei announced Wednesday that the chief of the Maple Shade First Aid Squad has been charged with stealing more than $118,000 from the agency over a six-year period. Joseph J. Freed III, 53, of the 400 block of North Coles Avenue in Maple Shade, was charged with Theft by Deception (Second Degree) and Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree). South Jersey Local News
Brigantine Taxpayers Group to Hold Public Meeting on PILOT Law June 3–The Brigantine Taxpayers Association will hold a public meeting 10 am Saturday, June 3 at the Brigantine Community Center, 265 42nd St, to explain what the casino PILOT law entails and answer questions on this and other issues that could potentially affect property taxes. Guest speakers will include state Assemblymen Chris Brown and Vince Mazzeo. Shore News Today
South Jersey Gas AwardsGrant to Mad About Science–Seventy students will have the opportunity to improve their understanding of science and math thanks to a grant from South Jersey Gas that will fund after-school tutoring in Atlantic City. "We want to instill a love of science in today's students," said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. NJ.com
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Atlantic City Train in Hammonton–A pedestrian died after being hit by a train Wednesday night on the Atlantic City Rail Line, authorities said. The person, who was not publicly identified, was trespassing on the track between Francis Street and Fairview Avenue at 9:50 p.m. when struck, an NJ Transit spokesman said. Press of Atlantic City