News from

John Amodeo and Vince Polistina

New Jersey General Assembly, District 2

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Contact:  John Amodeo or Vince Polistina at 609-677-8266

August 8, 2008

 

ATLANTIC CITY/REVEL PARTNERSHIP A BOOST FOR LOCAL JOBS AND SENIORS PROGRAMS

 

NORTHFIELD – Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vince Polistina said they were dumbfounded today by the news that a local labor leader was trying to derail a plan which would foster job growth. 

“The Atlantic City Council came up with a creative solution to save a two billion dollar investment for our region.  It is foolish to throw up artificial obstacles which will only delay, or worse kill that investment,”  said Assemblyman Polistina.   “We should be doing everything in our power to create jobs in our area.”

Earlier this week, Atlantic City Council passed a $56 million bond ordinance to help with road improvements around the Revel casino and hotel project.  Today, local labor leader Bob McDevitt announced his plans for petition drive that could prevent the bonding from going forward.

“First, we believe that any borrowing needs to go before the voters when the taxpayers will be responsible for paying that debt,”  said Amodeo.  “In this case, the Revel Entertainment Group is the party responsible for the debt.  There is no risk to the taxpayers.  City Council’s involvement was to help get financing for city street improvements due to the crisis in the credit markets.” 

Based on news over the last few months – Tropicana, Sands, Pinnacle, and declining revenues - the assemblymen expressed concern about the health of the casino industry in Atlantic City and stressed the need to take steps to foster growth.

“Right now, there are about 1,000 people working on the construction of the project and we can expect about 5,000 people employed at the casino when it opens,”  said Polistina.  “Making sure the Revel project moves forward means we keep people working.  In this economy, we can’t be reckless with employment opportunities.”

“If the casino industry in Atlantic City sneezes, the rest of the state catches a cold,”  said Amodeo.  “A healthy and vibrant casino industry pumps the needed dollars into programs like PAAD, senior and disabled transportation assistance, and the senior property tax freeze.  A fifty-six million dollar bond for a two billion project that will support a half a billion dollars of programs for seniors and the disabled is a good thing.” 

“Ask yourself, what should we be telling prospective businesses about Atlantic City?”  said Polistina.  “We should be telling them ‘We will work with you.’  We should be telling them, ‘Atlantic City is a place that welcomes businesses.’ 

“Anyone jeopardizing the viability of the project and workers’ employment is threatening the long term health of Atlantic City,”  said Polistina.