In an exclusive interview with Atlantic City Weekly, the mayor of Atlantic City talks about a variety of topics including his relationship with NJ Gov. Chris Christie, his recent trip to China, the Revel project, what may be on tap for Bader Field and the city he grew up in.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford on the Atlantic City Boardwalk July 21 when Christie made his Atlantic City speech calling for changes in the resort.
It's 1pm on the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend and Mayor Lorenzo Langford has already attended several important city meetings. Arriving at City Hall for a scheduled interview with Atlantic City Weekly, Langford is in good spirits. Before the interview, talk turns to our respective Thanksgiving holidays and then to our mutual admiration for the musician-songwriter Gil Scott-Heron.
(The mayor's a huge fan, and if he has it his way, Scott-Heron could be performing in Atlantic City next summer.)
Born and raised in Atlantic City, Lorenzo Langford is an avid fan of HBO's Boardwalk Empire — he tunes in weekly — and has a deep-rooted passion for the residents of his hometown. The one-time casino worker who is currently serving his second (non-consecutive) term as Atlantic City's mayor faces many challenges, as most mayor's do in today's tough economy. But, Langford says, he is optimistic about the future of Atlantic City.
Your September trip to China. Was it a success in your opinion? What did you hope to accomplish there?
Let me answer your first part. Was it a success or not? I answer that rhetorically: Nothing beats a failure but a try. I had nothing to lose by going to China. Nor did the taxpayers of Atlantic City, because they didn’t pay for the trip, and I kind of mixed business with pleasure. I took some of my personal time as I am entitled and I preface my answer by disclosing that upfront.
Now the purpose of the trip was two-fold. I went fishing, not literally, but trying to see if there might be any investment trees in China that I could shake something loose from, that might be interested in investing in Atlantic City. And secondly to talk about a foreign-student-exchange program to provide our Atlantic City students an opportunity to travel abroad and see some other countries. So, from that perspective, yes, it was a successful trip.
I met two individuals over there, and again, part of it was to ostensibly forge a sister city relationship with two cities, one in China (Zhanjiang) and one in Korea (Chungcheongbuk-do). Those relationships for the most part are symbolic and while they are important, they really were not my primary purpose for going. I wanted to seek out some potential investment.
But let me start with the sister city relationship. I have titillated the interest of some folk in formulating that relationship. In addition to that there is a city in France, which had established a sister city relationship with the City of Atlantic City way back in 1974. They called us, right out of the blue. It was amazing how all of the stars seemed to align at the same time. Right when we were putting the finishing touches on this China trip, the phone rings and it’s our sister city representatives in France, who none of us even knew existed. And they’re like we established this sister city relationship in 1974 and nothing’s happened. It’s been dormant. And we wanted to know if you would still be interested in getting this thing started all over again. And I was like, cool.
And since then, they have come here to Atlantic City. And we had a big meeting right here [in the Mayor’s conference room] and we had representatives from the Board of Education, again because my focus is on foreign-student exchange. The good news is, that’s going to happen ...
So I’m saying all that because I thought the trip was successful because I think we’re going to be able a) to actually start a foreign-student exchange program on two levels: the collegiate level … and the high school level. My hope is that for like a two-week period, I can get the corporate sponsors to sponsor a student and have that student visit China and stay with a family over there and that at some point have us reciprocate and receive one of their students over here. That’s what I’m trying to do because I want to broaden the horizon of our young folk ...
... It is projected that within two years China will become the No. 1 economy on the planet. So that position that we [Americans] have enjoyed for the last 100 years is changing. It is predicted that within the next 10 years, India will surpass the U.S. and have the second biggest economy on the planet. So you can see what’s happening. I think that we would be doing our children a disservice if we didn’t at least share with them that perspective and have them understand that the world is much bigger than just the geographical confines of the United States. And that’s why I think it’s important for us to think globally.
Interestingly enough, last Wednesday night [Thanksgiving Eve] I actually met with one of the guys at the Taj Mahal who I met with in China. This guy, among other things, is a promoter. They had this kid who’s the hottest act in China appearing at the Taj Mahal Wednesday night on the eve of Thanksgiving. The show was actually Thanksgiving Day because it started at one o’clock in the morning ... and this is what’s interesting and I’m trying to give you a feel for the level this guy is on. He has the No. 1 act in China booked for the Taj Mahal at a 1am show! I can’t even get passed that. (Laughs.) Because they wanted me to come to the show and I was like, you got to be kidding me. That late? It’s just not going to happen. But at any rate, he said the show was sold out — and we’re talking about the [Taj Mahal’s] Mark Etess Arena. They oversold the show by 900 tickets, a wonderful problem for a promoter to have, right? And most of the tickets were sold in Hong Kong ...
Now I’m thinking could any promoter around here, in the States, pack the Mark Etess Arena for a 1am show? I don’t think so. I don’t care who the act is, you’re not going to put 5,600 people in that arena at 1am. It’s just not going to happen. But more importantly, how do you get people from Hong Kong to fly across the country to come to a show at the Taj Mahal? Now, obviously they’re gambling too, like [on] a junket. But that’s a lot of tickets, man. So, to quote that famous bank robber when they asked him why he robbed that bank, his answer was, ‘because that’s where the money’s at.’ So when people ask me why I went to China, I say that’s where the money’s at. They’re going to have the No. 1 economy on the planet and as a symbol of how these guys do business they’re going to sell the tickets in Hong Kong and then put the people on planes to come to see the shows — they’ve got some money, man. That’s what I’m trying to say ...
So to answer your question, yes, I think the trip was a success. Now, can I point to something tangible yet? No I can’t. But the beginning of a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step. And so I think if we sit here a year from now and you ask me the same question, I’m going to be able to say we got the foreign-student exchange program off the ground and it’s up and running. So we’ve realized that. And, I’ve had some guys from China come to Atlantic City to look around ... So, again, to me it was a success, particularly when you consider the fact that basically I used time that I had and my own and private money — no taxpayer dollars were expended, so who could be mad about that?
Did you meet with anybody else?
I did meet another guy in China. So I have two guys in China that told me they are interested in coming and taking a look around. I didn’t get that commitment from anybody in South Korea.
Did you have a whole entourage with you?
No, just my one aide, Mohamed.
With only one month until the June 6 city-wide election, residents were anxious to express their concerns and see what Democratic candidates envision for the future of Atlantic City. The well-organized event was sponsored by the local N.A.A.C.P., the Venice Park Civic Association and the Westside Neighborhood Protection Association.
"We think we have the money set aside. We've identified the funding. We believe we have a good site but we may determine that there are other sites that we need to review as well."
Jubilee: "Things don’t work that way in policing. The Atlantic City Police Department has jurisdiction for the entire city.”
"There are those that don’t believe the Atlantic City fathers are capable of handling this business. And again, that speaks to a level of arrogance and it also speaks to an underlying air of racism — point blank, as I’ve pointed out."
“This is about jobs, it’s about getting people back to work, it’s about bringing this city back into where it feels, once again, like the preeminent entertainment resort on the East Coast."
Plus Jazz Brunch June 5 in Atlantic City, DrewToonz on Osama Bin Laden's 'Trip to Atlantic City,' Brigantine's NJ Clean Communities location, and the Album of the Week: Jamie xx and Gil-Scott Heron's 'We're New Here'
I have no idea if Gov. Christie is a Phish fan. But even if he’s not, it’s time for him to go trolling for some money so that the world knows that Phish, which could have played its Halloween shows anywhere, decided to take Atlantic City’s bait.
Should Atlantic City try to position itself as a Jersey-shore style family resort, which just happens to have a very adult–oriented casino industry, or should it try to focus on the adult market?
OK, so maybe the lyrics are a little different this time, but the music’s the same. Atlantic City — in fact, this whole region — has a troubling habit of talking a project to death with little to show for all the rhetoric except a pile of newspaper clippings.
On a sizzling hot Boardwalk Wednesday Governor Chris Christie did his best to say that the state was looking to help Atlantic City, not take over. “I’m here to extend the hand of partnership to the city,” Christie said. "We are entering into this public private partnership because we have to remake ourselves. We want to make Atlantic City a place where families and businesses want to be and want to come back to again and again.”
This historic press conference for the city of Atlantic City and its people, businesses and civil servants, will take place at 2pm in Atlantic City.
"[B]ills and legislation affecting Atlantic City and the creation of a 'Tourism District' have been fast tracked, and despite promises and assurances to the contrary...."
The mayor spoke about several city-created objectives, which could dovetail with the state plan for the city, as long as the two entities work with each other and communicate better moving forward.
The day after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie sent staffers to visit Atlantic City Mayor Langford, the mayor says he doesn't feel much different about the concerns he raised last week and that the ball is in the governor's court now.
As in previous years, the Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association (MBCA) Winter luncheon kickoff event at Resorts in Atlantic City featured a keynote address — an unofficial state of the city address — by Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford.
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1. Ron said... on Nov 30, 2010 at 01:24PM
“Reading this article is funny listening to the Mayor continue to lie about so much can guarantee you that their is no on interested in the badar field, what about the empty baseball stadium?
The boardwalk is not safe the last 6 months 50% of the crimes occurred on the boardwalk and after a story was published by a local news station an increase of officers was stripped from the street and put onto the boardwalk.
Its a load of crap the mayor talking if you want some truth interview the residents who have more interesting things to say and less lies.”
2. Geoff Rosenberger said... on Nov 30, 2010 at 03:53PM
“These absolutes must be taken into account: 1) The crda is as bureaucratic and political an organization as any ever existed, with money, a double whammy. 2) Trenton's crime ridden streets and finances make Atlantic City seem paradise. 3) Sure, there are better ways to do things. 4) This is not the way. 5) Mayor Langford is right . It's time to consult Atlantic City and her citizenry before making more decisions that are 'good' for us.
March 3rd, 1854 Atlantic city was incorporated. That charter granting city sovereignty remains in effect. Do not legislatively steale my rights to line another's pocket. That same occurance birthed our nation.
I attended the Governor's July press conference to welcome him to town. I forgot it meant the whole circus would show up. Come on elected officials, remember, you are guardians of trust, not keepers of our vault. Get over yourselves. Either help, or get out of the way.
— Geoff Rosenberger”
3. D. Klein said... on Nov 30, 2010 at 05:04PM
“There is not one thing wrong with Atlantic City that cannot, and in fact always could be, fixed by the people of Atlantic City. That's not to say getting unprecedented cooperation from the state wouldn't be extremely helpful in that regard, but AC's woes are the same ones that have been afflicting the "old" girl since the advent of gaming. First, and foremost is cleanliness. A recent stop at a red light on Atlantic Avenue at Montpelier gave me full view of the root of the "perceptual" problem. With a National Pizza chain prominently positioned on the corner, the mound of trash and weeds encompassing the outer perimeter along the curb looked horrendous. A recent run on AC's boardwalk this past summer brought me into contact with a restroom on the 1500 Block. Forgetaboutit! I woudn't send my dog in there to do his business. No, I don't think my dog would go in there if given the chance. What a statement that must make to the thousands of visitors who will go home and share their tales”
4. Keith Groff said... on Nov 30, 2010 at 07:17PM
“Finally, what do you think will happen by July 2011?
If they try to hang their hat on Whelan’s plan and go forward then the answer to that question is ‘nothing.’
What is this if "they" stuff. How about you do something with or without them. If you did something they would not have to come in the first place. Correct? If you are going to do something then please tell us about what you are going to do by July so that we know you are not looking to them for an excuse as to why nothing was done. You are the Mayor. You can fix it. Please fix it. Then if they do something too then great. YOu fix the neighborhood since you know there not going to. You focus on that. The thing is you can't. IF you can why have you not fixed it already. All I'm saying is they cannot make the neighborhood worse by fixing the tourist area. Good Luck.”
5. spanky said... on Dec 1, 2010 at 11:48AM
“AN UNTRAINED Amatuer who doesnt know how to be a mayor and only knows how to be a crook and weasel....”
6. AC_Fran81 said... on Dec 3, 2010 at 07:07PM
“well-done interview ... informative. I wonder exactly when we will actually see this "city plan," mr. mayor? Will you make an announcement with regards to the city's plan?”
7. MARIE DOWD said... on Dec 3, 2010 at 07:33PM
“AC NEEDS A FACELIFT.TAKE DOWN THE OLD BUILDINGS EXCEPT THE OLD CASINOS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW AC AND DENIS GOMEZ AT RESORTS.”
8. Tom Murphy said... on Dec 6, 2010 at 11:19AM
“Mayor Langford talks about making "this town thrive." Why hasn't it if he knows how? He also referred to it as "this mess." Who was the mayor when that happened? He wants a casino on Bader Field. Why is the answer to everything more casinos? It's doubtful the city will be able to afford Revel if it ever opens. If the A. C. council and mayor's work load is being reduced with the new "partnership" shouldn't their salaries be reduced? As for safety I NEVER see a policeman on the street or boardwalk. Where do they all hide? At home watching TV?”