Property Tax Lawsuit
The lawsuit filed by Atlantic County and municipal officials against Atlantic City and the state over property taxes is at a “critical stage” according to one of the parties who first filed the suit. Judge Mendez is expected to make a decision next month in the case that alleges the Casino Property Tax Stabilization Act (which allows the Atlantic City casinos and some other big properties to make a Payment In Lieu of Taxes – PILOT – rather than pay property taxes) is unconstitutional. Seth Grossman, executive director of the Tea Party-affiliated group Liberty & Prosperity, first filed suit against the city and state in this matter in 2016. That case was combined this year by a lawsuit filed by Atlantic County, Somers Point, Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor Township, Absecon, Ventnor and Weymouth Township. The PILOT arrangement means that retailers Bass Pro Shops, The Walk (Tanger Outlets) and the casinos, are paying less into the city’s and county’s coffers. As a result, other property owners have seen their taxes rise sharply to offset the lost revenue. The PILOT legislation was passed by the state after casino closures and the industry’s declining fortunes saw casinos’ win multiple tax appeals that Atlantic City could not pay. Read more on Grossman’s comments via ACPrimeTime. Read the latest from the city on the lawsuit in its most recent debt issuance filing. And read our interview with Grossman from last year here.
The view from Ventnor pier, by Devon McCabe (@devon_inspirephotos on Instagram).
That Alligator Motel
Remember the Bayview Inn, which was condemned to demolition after two suspicious fires, a drug raid and – yes – an alligator? Well, it’s still standing. But probably not for long. The demolition process will begin Nov. 12 unless the owners return to secure, renovate or obtain a certificate of occupancy, Lynda Cohen reports for BreakingAC.com.
Carman
Remember that Atlantic County freeholder who, after President Trump’s inauguration, shared the meme “Will the women’s protest be over in time for them to cook dinner?” And then he had to apologize for wearing a patch of New Jersey, with South Jersey covered by the confederate flag? Anyhow, he’s now the butt of bigger jokes, the Inquirer’s Amy Rosenberg reports.
In the rest of the day’s news, CRDA’s board will talk public safety in a closed session at this afternoon’s meeting, South Jersey Industries (aka South Jersey Gas) is paying $1.7 billion to buy two more gas companies (one in New Jersey, one in Maryland), Monroe Township students are headed back to school after the mold crisis, the Cape May County Bridge Commission is finally installing E-ZPass on its five bridges, and three properties on Belfield Avenue in Atlantic City will be demolished. All that and more below:
Absecon Raccoon Is Atlantic County’s 3rd Confirmed Case Of Rabies–Atlantic County health officials are reminding residents of the importance of vaccinating their pets after the county’s third rabies case was confirmed. A dead raccoon was found Oct. 13 on the 600 block of Woodland Avenue in Absecon, county spokeswoman Linda Gilmore said. www.shorenewstoday.com
Pleasantville Friends Paying It Forward With Atlantic City Homeless Event–Friends Jason Smart-El and James Pressley decided they wanted to do something positive for the community. “(We wanted) to be able to bring a positive light to Atlantic City,” said Smart-El, a Pleasantville native who lives in Atlantic City. breakingac.com
Camden Undaunted On Amazon Headquarters Bid, As NJ Backs Newark–Camden County officials say they plan to press forward with their bid to host Amazon’s second headquarters campus, even after the State of New Jersey announced that it would throw its weight — and offers of tax breaks — behind rival Newark’s efforts to lure the e-commerce giant. The office of Governor Christie said in a release Monday that officials had determined that the North Jersey city would be an ideal location for Amazon’s planned headquarters expansion beyond its native Seattle, thanks to its location in New York’s economic orbit, its burgeoning technological prowess, and fast internet speeds. www.philly.com
Complaint Filed Against Somers Point Contractor For Alleged Hurricane Sandy Home Repair Fraud–A Somers Point contractor is accused of defrauding 23 homeowners of more than $1 million in federal funding to repair, rebuilt or elevate homes after Hurricane Sandy. New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino and the state Division of Consumer Affairs filed a complaint in the Superior Court Chancery Division in Atlantic County against Werks Intended LLC, also doing business under the name McAllister Building Group, and company owners Lawrence “Tre” McAllister, III and Monica McAllister. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Atlantic City Completes First Phase Of Flood Gates Construction–Officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Atlantic City, marking the completion of the first phase of new flood gates connecting to the Baltic Avenue Canal. This is a project that is intended to prevent nuisance flooding. www.snjtoday.com
Jersey Shore Towns Receive $2.8 Million FEMA Grant To Raise Homes–State officials have announced new federal funding to help residents at the Jersey Shore recover and stay protected from major flooding. United States Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker have announced that more than $2.8 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be used help elevate 22 flood-prone homes in Margate, Brigantine, and Longport that were damaged after a blizzard in 2016 dumped nearly three feet of snow causing severe flooding in the area. www.snjtoday.com
Coast Guard Airlifts Sick Cruise Passenger To Atlantic City Hospital–The United States Coast Guard was called in to help a sick cruise-ship passenger off the coast of Atlantic City this weekend. On Sunday, October 15th, at around 7 pm, watch-standers from the Coast Guard's Delaware Bay sector were called by crew members of the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship stating that a female passenger was sick and needed medical assistance. www.snjtoday.com
Vineland Elementary School Burglarized, 20 iPads Stolen–Cumberland County officials are looking for suspects in a recent burglary that took place at a local elementary school. The Vineland Police Department's Detective Bureau and Juvenile Unit have released surveillance photos of the suspects who are believed to have entered Sabater Elementary School on South East Boulevard in Vineland on Monday, October 9th, and then stole about 20 iPads as well as other items. www.snjtoday.com
Rowan College Announces Workforce Training Program Targeting In-Demand Jobs–Rowan College at Gloucester County announced a new program last week that combines education and job training to create skilled workers for local businesses. “This concept is directed at one of New Jersey businesses’ biggest challenges — the lack of workers with the technical skills they need,” said Melanie Willoughby, chief government affairs officer for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. www.pressofatlanticcity.com