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BREAKING NEWS

 

We have obtained a copy of letter written by

Bob McDevitt to: Jane Asselta ...

 

 

Asselta was looking for a $ 5,000 contribution from Unite Here (National) and The Local Union, Local 54 on September 18, 2008.

 

Here is McDevitt's exact response to Asselta, as follows:

 

It's a classic!

 

 

 

Jane,

  Perhaps you've been out of touch lately with the news. I'll bring you up to date:

     The Democratic Mayor and City Council of the City of Atlantic City have decided that the Revel project is more important than the citizens of Atlantic City. Our State Senator has sided publicly with the Revel company and has agreed that 3,000 citizens have no rights in Atlantic City except the right to pay their taxes and shut up. In fact Senator Whelan's commentary in the Press (see today's edition for a sample of his personal attacks on me) could have been written by Sonny McCoullough and Vince Polistina. Funny isn't it? The "party of working people" basically carrying the Republican Party's water. The thundering silence from the rest of the Democratic Party speaks for itself. The Atlantic County Democrats have demonstrated to UNITE HERE! leadership, at the highest levels, that people come second when a casino company competes with them for your attention.
  
     If that isn't bad enough, your boss Senator Whelan has declared that my activity with regards to the Revel project is "illegal" and that my union is "misleading" the citizens of Atlantic City. Strong words from a man who is being scripted by Lloyd Levinson and the Revel corporation. To accuse me of "illegal" activity in the press is bad enough. Failing to give me a head's up on his betrayal while you speak of "commitment" and donations from the pockets of the same UNITE HERE! members that he has betrayed can only be described as the purist form of hubris. I took a lot of abuse when Local 54 endorsed Whelan in light of his horrible record on union issues and his complicity in the 2005 state shutdown. I took those slings and arrows willingly to support Governor Corzine's effort to secure a Democratic Majority in spite of the fact that Senator Whelan has worked against Local 54 and other unions in the past. I also had personal reasons (which will remain personal) which would justify a decision not to jump on the Atlantic County Democrat bus in support of his candidacy. Yet I chose to do what was best for a political party that has decided to do just the opposite for my members and myself. When Senator Whelan called me and tried to convince me that a non union Revel casino was in the best interest of the Atlantic City and it's residents I knew I had made a mistake last year. When he ambushed me in the media with his polemics against me personally I realized that last year's mistake was a grave threat to the people of Atlantic County and the members of Local 54.

     When I "got on the bus" with Whelan's Atlantic County Democrats the price for admission was to lose credibility with many of my members and sacrifice a good friendship with Sonny McCoullough and others whose friendship I personally cherished. I can't go back and fix those relationships. They are lost forever. I can however change my current circumstances and do the right thing. For myself and the people that I represent. Getting off "the bus" is an easy decision. After all Senator Whelan threw me under it. So now that this particular bus has crossed the Rubicon, it's time for me to get off at the next stop. No Jane, I won't be forwarding you or anyone else in the Atlantic County Democratic Party any donations. Thank you for the opportunity to underwrite the abuse and betrayal of the members of Local 54 and the citizens of Atlantic City. Generous offer but I think I'll pass. Please give Governor Corzine my best at the cocktail reception.
                                                 
                                                    Sincerely,

                                                   Bob McDevitt