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CRDA Town Hall Meeting

CRDA interim director Susan Ney Thompson joined community leaders and residents at a town meeting in Atlantic City to discuss the resort's tourism district and future.

By Geoff Rosenberger
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Mar. 28, 2011

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Location: Atlantic County Auditorium, Atlantic City
Dateline: 03.24.11

Steve Young and Cornell Davis, of the Southern NJ Call to Action Coalition, conducted a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 24.

In attendance from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) were the state agency's interim director Susan Ney Thompson, chief counsel Paul Weiss, esq., and CFO Val Berzins.

Boundaries of the city's planned tourism district were outlined for the crowd. It was explained that the CRDA is in charge of providing an additional level of security within the district. Additionally, the CRDA is taking over the planning and zoning duties of the district, and the function the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) would be within the realm of the CRDA.

Assemblyman Vince Polistina remarked that the city and state must form a cooperative movement.

Atlantic City councilman Mo Delgado said he wants our people — citizens and business owners of the resort — to be part of the process. Meanwhile, Councilman Steven Moore indicated no member of Atlantic City City Council had been invited to last week’s Governor’s Conference held right here in Atlantic City.

Now that the state of New Jersey had rolled out its own welcome mat, the governor should stop by long enough to say hello and listen.

The mood in the room during the town hall meeting was hopeful as people identified problems ranging from parking and bike racks to training opportunities for the city's youth.

Ney Thompson came to this meeting to listen. Her calm reassurance, knowledge, empathy, understanding and demeanor assured all present that we are in good hands.

Like many others, this Atlantic City resident hopes the CRDA interim director becomes permanent.

Thompson has actual concern for and knowledge of Atlantic City, and has been sitting in community meetings for months listening to the residents, a practice first started with former head Tom Carver.

Outwardly, Thompson appears as a guiding light to a bright future.

Susan, on behalf of the residents, I thank you for listening.

(See NBC40's report)
 


Read more of new acweekly.com columnist and Atlantic City resident and self-proclaimed "visionary" Geoff Rosenberger's "Geoff's Page," including local snap shots, thoughts, Atlantic City news, random musings, GLBT-related news and happenings every week — only at acweekly.com.

E-mail Geoff at geoffrosenberger@comcast.net or call him at 609-385-7585.

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