Shrinking Population
Atlantic County has seen more than 3,700 people leave in the last two years, according to new county-level population estimates published by the U.S. Census Bureau today. People started leaving Atlantic County in 2014, when four casinos closed, but the rate of departures increased in 2015 and 2016. We mapped how the county compares to other South Jersey counties here. Interestingly, Gloucester County is the only one in the region with a population that has grown since 2010, while in Salem and Cape May counties the death rate is outstripping the birth rate.
Petition to Save AC Water Authority
The Press of Atlantic City’s Christian Hetrick reports on a citizen effort to force a referendum of any sale of the water authority. There will also be a campaign kickoff this Saturday at 10 am at the Second Baptist Church.
Scott Beaton Photography
Photo of Viking Yacht Co by @scottbeatonphotography on Instagram.
In the rest of today’s news, Atlantic City council last night honored Ibn Ali, who broke up a fight between two teens (watch his speech – it made Elinor cry), businesses are worried too many millennials are leaving New Jersey and LoBiondo will vote no on the Republican healthcare bill. If you want even more, NJ.com has a great video explainer on New Jersey’s pension crisis here and Egg Harbor Township’s Chickies & Pete’s is part of a move to bring back horse racing to the area. All that and more below:
Atlantic City Moves to Issue Bonds to Pay Borgata Tax Debt–Atlantic City Council on Wednesday took a step toward borrowing money for a $72 million tax settlement with Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Council introduced an ordinance to let the city issue bonds for as much as $80 million to cover the settlement, which was reached last month by state officials overseeing the city’s finances. Press of Atlantic City
Little Water Distillery Brings Craft Spirits to AC–While the last decade or two has seen the rise of a dizzying number of craft breweries putting out all varieties of beer, the world of craft spirits remained virtually unheard of in our state until just recently. The brother tandem of Mark and Eric Ganter have come together to change that for the Atlantic City area. Atlantic City Weekly
Phil Murphy Just Unveiled a Plan to Make Wall St. Clean up NJ Home Foreclosures–Murphy says Wall Street created the foreclosure crisis and should help fix it. NJ.com
NJ Voters Would Raise Taxes On The Rich To Fund Public Worker Pensions, Poll Finds–Voters would raise taxes on the wealthy -- but not on anyone else -- to pay down public pension debt. NJ.com
$1M in Security Grants for South Jersey Groups Facing Bias Threats–Condemning recent hate crimes and threats, Gov. Christie on Tuesday announced $1 million in grants for religious institutions and nonprofits in South Jersey counties that are ineligible for federal security aid. While calling on New Jerseyans to speak out against “words of intolerance that can become acts of intolerance,” the governor defended political friends whose remarks have stoked controversy. Philly.com
Another Independent Record Store in South Jersey Closing–The music won’t die Sunday for fans of a longtime record store at the Center Point Plaza. But they will have to get it somewhere else. Press of Atlantic City
Undocumented prepare for uncertainty–CAMDEN - South Jersey's undocumented immigrant community is bracing for increased action locally by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Courier-Post
AHCA Could Slash Number of Insured, Cost State Billions, Experts Advise–Nearly half a million New Jersey residents would lose health insurance in four years under the Republican plan moving through Congress, leaving the state with fewer people covered than before the federal Affordable Care Act took effect. www.njspotlight.com
Atlantic City state overseer Chiesa: ‘There is no cap on our fees.’–ATLANTIC CITY _ Former Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa was on the line, offering a rare interview, but the state-appointed, $400 an hour Atlantic City overseer still refused to disclose how much he and his team of lawyers and accountants have billed tax payers to run Atlantic City the last four months. Philly.com
Stone Harbor to remove 37 Japanese pine trees in south-end dunes–STONE HARBOR — Thirty-seven Japanese black pine trees will be removed from south-end dunes, despite objections from some Avalon objectors who say the move is more about home values than the environment. Press of Atlantic City