For years I kept wondering why the readers of this column hardly ever sent me an e-mail or letter about the subject matter discussed. There was a multitude of interesting and controversial columns but the majority of you seem satisfied in reading and not expressing your views on the subject matter of the column. I felt quite frustrated in the lack of response. However, I persevered and continued to write thinking that as long as you’re reading I should be satisfied — but I wasn’t.
Several months ago, Atlantic City Weekly’s editor, Jeff Schwachter, decided to add a commentary opportunity for those who read the articles on the Internet. At first, a few of you expressed your reaction to what was written in my column. Slowly but surely, the number of comments for each week’s column started to grow. Four weeks ago, there were 20 comments about the column “Nothing Being Done?” Three weeks ago, there were four comments about the column “One Atlantic Is Amazing.” Two week ago there were 12 comments about the column “Atlantic City Cleanup Project Approved.” I must interject the fact that I normally read my column on the Internet on Wednesday evening when it comes out, and after a few days I will check to see the number of comments and then read them. This past week I read the column as usual Wednesday evening, but because of a lot of pressing issues, never looked at the comments until the following Tuesday evening. I was flabbergasted and amazed when I read that there were 28 comments to the recent column “No 200-Room Casinos.” Let me point out that not all of the comments are about the column. Some of the writers of the comments are commenting about what others are commenting on. I learned from the editor that the 28 readers who commented set a record for the largest number of comments about any column or item in the paper since the comments section was inaugurated.
I proceeded to count the number of comments that agreed with the concept of the column and those who disagreed, as well as those who wrote about other things and did not express a view one way or the other. It’s amazing to note that there were 12 that seemed to be in agreement with the writer and there were even 11 who were not in agreement. The remaining five had no comments about the subject. In trying to figure out what it was all about, I have come to the conclusion that I have a balanced group of readers who take their time to express views on what this columnist had to say.
By writing about the comments, I hope to get more of you to express your reaction to what you read in this space. You can be assured that I take your views and ideas seriously, whether they are pro or con. The one thing that I believe you’ve learned about this writer is that he loves Atlantic City, its people and its environs. I can assure you that I will continue to do all I can to further the aims and objectives of making Atlantic City a true destination resort. Your comments help me to see other views that are expressed about the subjects being written. It has helped me tremendously. I thank you for being in my corner and caring enough to comment.
Summer Solstice Parade?
The summer solstice, which takes place June 21, is the beginning of the best season of the year. So why not celebrate it with a parade? The idea originated in Seattle, Wash., and Santa Barbra, Cal. The summer season is, throughout the nation, one of the happiest of the year. We have lots of sunshine and the opportunity to enjoy the recreational activities that are available in the outdoors. Seashore communities, like those along our New Jersey shoreline, are particularly delighted that the summer solstice has arrived and commemorate the beginning of this wonderful season.
It takes interested and concerned people to make good things happen in a community. Daryl Bulthuis of Casino Connection magazine is that kind of person. He was familiar with the summer solstice parades elsewhere, and said, “We would like to take ideas from the existing parades, add some of our own concepts, and make an East Coast-Atlantic City version.”
Bulthuis presented his ideas to the Atlantic City Jaycees and they said, “Let’s do it!” They formed a committee and are well on their way to having one of the biggest parades Atlantic City has had since the Miss America Pageant Parade was laid to rest.
It was decided that the Summer Solstice Parade would be held on the Saturday following the summer solstice — June 26. It has been determined that it should be an informal parade. Individuals or groups of friends who want to join the parade are urged to wear a costume that suits them, or come as you are to be a spectator and enjoy the participants as they stroll along the world’s first and most charming Boardwalk. The parade will include floats, a variety of musical organizations, rolling chairs, roller skaters, bike riders, battery-operated vehicle riders and other interesting participants, including a host of people walking the boards singing, “On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.”
The parade will begin at the Garden Pier and end at Albany Avenue, but that’s not the end of the celebration. The Summer Solstice Parade will be followed by an assortment of exciting activities on the beach. Included will be a bonfire with fire dancers, bikini contests at most of the beach bars and lots of informal activities on the beach such volleyball games, a swim race for varied ages, hopscotch, marble-shooting and sand-sculpting contests, and a host of other events.
The Summer Solstice Parade and all related activities will take place on Saturday, June 26. Please mark the date, as it will be one of the most exciting days Atlantic City has had in many years. More information on the parade will be forthcoming within the next several weeks.
Pinky’s Corner airs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm on News Talk WOND-AM 1400. His TV show, WMGM Presents Pinky, airs Saturday at 7:30pm on TV40. Pinky’s e-mail address is: pinky@acweekly.com.
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1. American Gaming Guru said... on Apr 7, 2010 at 03:54PM
“Well said! Keep it going Pinky. You do a wonderful job and AC is fortunate enough to have you in their corner!”
2. Anonymous said... on Apr 7, 2010 at 04:07PM
“Let's start a conversation about the elephant in the room. Why would anyone visit the beach when there will be no beach in 2010? I understand funding issues and I fully understand employees that have lost their jobs - that is heart breaking but tourists are the life blood of AC and Down Beach and we have nothing this year to sell to the tourists... Comments??”
3. Anonymous said... on Apr 8, 2010 at 07:28AM
“Have not given up on AC yet.,but, Please clean up the rest rooms on the boardwalk. See you in July!”
4. Ivana Uhland said... on Apr 8, 2010 at 02:05PM
“Still absolutely NO REPAIRS to the inlet boardwalk. They haven't even CLEANED UP THE BOARDS which are laying there wih rusty nails sticking up. Just another lawsuit waiting to happen. They could salvage some of the boards, and make a passthrough at both boarded up sections, THAT COULD ALLOW bikers and walkers to pass on the land half of the boardwalk that does not have as much damage. I will continue to duck under the barricade and walk my dogs and jump over the nails. WHAT A SHAME. Shame on you Atlantic CIty to treat your NUMBER TWO asset with such disregard to the residents and the tourists! Come on down Pinky and take a sad look at OUR boardwalk. Would you like me to take a picture of the boards and rusty nails?”
5. Anonymous said... on Apr 8, 2010 at 07:13PM
“Sad but the lack of viable beaches could be the beginning of the end for AC and Down Beach. If you are a gambler you can stay in PA. If you love the shore, why bother there is nothing there for you, nice restaurants, yes, but you can get that at home. It is a shame, not faulting anyone but the facts are the facts, the Jersey shore without a beach ain't much fun.”
6. Dan said... on Apr 9, 2010 at 06:29AM
“What happened to the summitt? You know, our "leaders" and their efforts to clean up this city? YOU MUST ACT!! It won't clean itself up. This City is stuck in the mud and it's a crying shame.”
7. dennis krill said... on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:53AM
“No comment at this time.”
8. shannon said... on Apr 13, 2010 at 08:38AM
“wow....you wanted comments...look what happened. Pinky, a kudos to you for your efforts to keep on, keeping on....btw i would love to see a summer solstice parade. as a native and now part of the media, i see a definite need to increase this type of "free entertainment" that utilizes the best attractions we have in our back yard....the boardwalk and the beach! It will increase sales for ac and encourage everyone to have fun and celebrate the sun! please let me know who i can contact to get involved.”
9. Bryan said... on Apr 13, 2010 at 01:19PM
“Greetings Pinky!
I used to live in Brigantine and always admired your program for it's truth & integrity.
I still live in South Jersey--about an hour from AC and have read a lot about a big sexual harassment case pending vs. Harrahs.
What I find odd is that a lot of press have covered this story (like the News of Cumberland County for example) but the AC Press/TV & radio seem to be shying away from this horrible display of employee abuse.
I read today that the amount of complaints against Harrahs is now up to 24 employees involved--that is serious.
Be honest, is it because of the power of Harrah's and it's almighty advertising dollars that the Press/WMGM-TV40 & local radio have avoided to cover such a huge story like this?
Sooner or later it will all come out of the woodwork.”
10. Anonymous said... on Apr 13, 2010 at 03:18PM
“I to have been following this huge story in the atlantic city press and have not been able to understand how this story just stopped. Was there a resolution to this horrible and serious situation with dozens of people being affected.”
11. Fred said... on Apr 13, 2010 at 07:10PM
“I wonder if our City will do the simple task of raking and cleaning our beach every day. Would you have guests at your house without vaccuming? It's the simple ittle things that no one in AC gets.”
12. actalkradio.blogspot.com said... on Apr 13, 2010 at 07:52PM
“I PINKY! I moved my site. New BETA-version, (III.O).
ACtalkradio.Blogspot.com
Maybe You'll join Twitter next?”
13. Anonymous said... on Apr 14, 2010 at 10:53AM
“Wonder what the reaction is going to look like. Summer is almost here and the beaches are in bad shape with no plans to replenish them. It ain't going to be pretty to go to a beach town without beaches.”
14. ltrain46 said... on Apr 14, 2010 at 05:40PM
“I've seen no comments on the fact that the original surge of gamblers and daytrippers who started coming down when it was legalized are dying off. They were retirees and part of the" greatest generation" now passing into history. There is no group that large to take their place. While its good to remain positive about the casinos the probability is that the've topped out with no next generation to fill the void. The city will have to once again create multiple attractions to get large amounts of people back.”
15. Marty said... on Apr 14, 2010 at 08:47PM
“I wrote you awhile ago and you stated that I was a very negative person and that you would refuse to ever answer me in the future. Well since I think this is still a free country, even though I honestly believe we now live under a self imposed dictator and this country is now a socialist regime I will continue to say what I want. You and your freinds will never see the whole picture here in a.c. The streets are all broke up and in need of some serious paving, the gangs that hang out on the corners all day and night. and just the fact that we who live here are always taking our complaints to deaf ears. The city is so dirty and the people who go aroung with brooms and whatever do not do their job. Can't remember the last time I saw a sweeper on the road. The summer solice parade will be another joke. Just like the easter parade. I overheard people saying "what's the parade all about" Some even said it was a nuisance and waste of time.”
16. Anonymous said... on Apr 15, 2010 at 07:52PM
“Pinky, with all due respect, what is the point of asking us for comments if you don't address our concerns or engage in this conversation, seems pointless. Hope you are well”
17. Marty said... on Apr 17, 2010 at 06:02AM
“I totally agree with Anonymous from apr.15. You only want to address the positive comments sent to you. This city is going to hell in a handbasket and you all know it but are afraid to admit it. So be a man and answer both sides good and bad.”
18. Summer Solstice said... on Apr 23, 2010 at 08:03AM
“A celebration of summer and a reason to come to AC and enjoy the boardwalk and beach.... I'm there. With bikes, roller blades, roller skates, rolling chairs, floats, and some music it will liven up the boardwalk and everyone will have a great time. Hope you can make it.”