AC Primetime w/ Mel Taylor. Atlantic City News, Info, Events.

WATCH VIDEO & Listen to Podcast. > City Council of Atlantic City drained a little more of the swamp... and voted NO. They denied local socialite Gary Hill with getting another 5 yr MUA / AC Water Company board-member term. The fiscally responsible vote went down on Wednesday evening, Jan 25, inside Council chambers.

This coveted MUA / Municipal Utilities Authority position costs Atlantic City taxpayers $36,000 annually.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Hill, who also serves as a CRDA board member, received an annual $6,000 MUA / salary. In addition, Mr. Hill has enjoyed a platinum healthcare package for himself and his husband, ex AC Councilman; John Schultz.

WATCH ATLANTIC CITY COUNCIL VIDEO from Jan 25, 2017.

If re-appointed, the MBCA & Schultz-Hill Foundation executive would have been grandfathered into another 5 year MUA term that includes full healthcare. Since 2011, health-care is no longer offered to part-time municipal personnel in AC.

On the Jan. 27 edition of the 'Hurley in the Morning' radio show, Harry Hurley shared this news with his listening audience.

AC Councilman George Tibbitt called in to discuss this failed MUA resolution.

WPG's Hurley calls this audio clip: "seven minutes of gold." It's how political sausage is made. LISTEN HERE >

http://media.blubrry.com/acprimetime/content.blubrry.com/acprimetime/hurley_hill_tibbitt_jan_27_2017.mp3

Opponents of Hill say his MUA board position barely qualifies as a part-time job, but still provides for platinum health plan including eye care & dental.

MUA board-members. A plum gig for sure.....for a few easy hours per month....estimated to be valued at close to $500 per hour.

LISTEN > In the shadows of towering casinos and highrises, Atlantic City still attracts a passionate crew of fishermen....and women. Many feel the outdoor and water based activities are ripe for growth now that AC is finally forced to diversify it's economy.

Tautog Along the Jetties of Absecon Inlet

We talk with Noel Feliciano from One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City, on this week's edition of ACprimetime Radio.

Tautog, stripers, and a few blues are keeping anglers busy along the deep waters of Absecon Inlet, flowing between Atlantic City & Brigantine.

One Stop Bait & Tackle

* 416 Atlantic Ave

* Atlantic City, New Jersey

*

Call (609) 348-9450

Juan Hocker: Someone referred us to this bait shop, an every since then it's been nothing but the best. Friendly, funny, very helpful...and they got nice deals. The owner is the best.

Luis Quijano: Every time I go to Atlantic city and fish, I get my bait from them. The owner is a funny character. Great selection. Remember people... always support the local mom and pop! shops.

Noel

LISTEN > ACprimetime Radio & ACprimetime.com tracks the Re-invention of Atlantic City. Sometimes we take a look at our coastal neighbors along the South Jersey shore. Some towns compete with each other, some are in the same boat as AC, some are directly affected by what happens in AC. Ventnor, Margate, Ocean City…..and even way down there in Wildwood…. a community that never got fat n happy….and lazy…..relying on casino gaming cash flow…. like Atlantic City did.

Wildwood.... the Beach Concert King?

Could Wildwood leap frog Atlantic City as the Summertime beach concert king? Wildwood in now in direct competition .. more than ever… with Atlantic City for the most popular shows.

Compare the Wildwood promoter concert deal... with the concert deal that AC puts together with their promoter; Live Nation.

In Wildwood, the concert promoter ponies up the cash to produce the show and guarantees it won't be a money loser.

In Atlantic City, the concert promoter collects all kinds of big money upfront. The city then has to climb out of the hole.

Deal Atlantic City did with their concert promoter. Yuk.

Some say the 2016 Atlantic City beach concerts season was disappointing. No kidding. Late announcements, too early & wrong announcements by the Mayor (Toby Keith), questionable ticket sales for Jimmy Buffett, free tix giveaways to fill the beach, lack-luster shows….like Blink-182. No re-entry privileges for those who bought a ticket….meaning…concert goers can’t buy stuff on the Boardwalk. Geez. Boosting local business was the main reason for having these beach concerts.

But look at Wildwood. What a comeback they’ve made over the years. We LOVED Wildwood in the late 70s, 80’s & 90’s. But by the year 2000….we avoided it like the plague. Wildwood was run down. It was kinda creepy on the boardwalk back then. But boy, how times have changed. Wildwood got it’s act together.

Wildwood had, and still has big challenges....a monstrous and always growing beach…and a much longer drive…with stop & go traffic from Philly, NY & North Jersey. Instead of moaning, they invested in their Convention Center and year round events. WW embraced their cool RETRO motels. They invested in the latest amusements & thrill rides. See: Morey's Pier.

Kenny Chesney did a Wildwood beach concert in 2012, Tim McGraw performed during the July 4 weekend this past summer.

Wildwood has a history of big name concerts….back in the 70’s: Elton John, Alice Cooper, David Cassidy, Black Sabbath, Cinderella and Kiss.

Recently, BEACH GLOW; a DJ focused festival, attracted thousands to Wildwood. But did you know...Atlantic City cancelled a BEACH GLOW event this past summer. Our best guess is that Caesars / Ballys didn’t want all those millennials….in front of their buildings on the beach. Maybe the 20 & 30 somethings would be dancing, drinking, eating….on the beach all day & night…..and NOT playing blackjack or slot machines inside of Caesars?

Wildwood doing deal with concert promoter; Beach Ball LLC. Atlantic City watches in amazement.

They’ll bring at least three beach concerts to Wildwood each of the next 3 summers. Most will be country and rock performers. They draw the biggest crowds. Attendance for each concert could be 30,000 to 70,000.

Beach Ball LLC will:

* Finance the concerts. Providing upfront money

* Handle sales of alcohol

* Pay Wildwood $20,000 for each concert

* Pay Wildwood $1 for each ticket sold

* Pay for all municipal services, police and cleanup

* Guarantee at least 5,

It’s no secret. Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian is not a fan of Miss America. Listen to ACprimetime Radio> Oh sure, he’ll be on stage with the ladies for photo ops. The bow tied guy will even get front row center seats inside Boardwalk Hall for the pageant…..but he’s NOT a fan of Miss A.

Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian is also member of the CRDA; Casino Reinvestment Authority, which is funded by the casinos….who typically don't like Miss America either. Why? Those 'types' are less likely to gamble. They hog up too many casino hotel rooms. How dare they.

CRDA declined opportunity to have Atlantic City featured on ABC-TV's New Year's Eve telecast that reaches 59 million viewers.

The ( CRDA & Dick Clark Productions/Miss America ) agreement rewarded Atlantic City with significant new broadcast television exposure, social media integration with the organization and retains a truly iconic event in Atlantic City,” said Robert Mulcahy, chairman of the CRDA board.

Some, including Mayor Don Guardian, thought the money might better be spent elsewhere.

AC Fumbles Marketing Opportunity....AGAIN.

"Though we hoped to sponsor a New Year’s Eve performance at Boardwalk Hall this year, scheduling conflicts and other considerations have redirected our focus to the 2017 concert calendar."

Listen> ACprimetime RADIO: Can you trust the mainstream media? Nope. Can you trust Facebook? Fake news and inaccurate reporting …..affects not only who’s in the White House……but what outside investors….and visitors….think about Atlantic City.

Will the new Stockton university in Atlantic City…ready for student by FALL 2018.. have plenty of SAFE SPACES available for millenials who are easily offended?

New, bigger, longer... Fortified Boardwalk & inlet seawall. Well on it’s way to completion. Will Atlantic City fishermen still have access to jetties?

That dynamic duo of the airwaves…..representing the community…..Kevin Hall…and Henry Hank Green…of the Kevin Hall Show Program…invited a rising star in the AC journalism community to their friday night radio show…..we’ll play some clips of Christian Hetrick of the Press of AC.

* AC councilman William Speedy Marsh. They cant fire him from his Pleasantville school facilities director position

* Congressman Frank Lobiondo had his personal space invaded by a very angry & sad reporter recently. Did this journalist from Philly.com step over the line…..for a non-story?

Is Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian still in charge of his city? Is this bow tied RINO now just a loveable figurehead?

* Love that crab soup at Back Bay Ale House…. Is there a plan for GardnersBasin yet?

* Remember Pauline's prairie?……I see shovels in the ground

* The DUNES in Atlantic City…..and much of Ventnor…..are growing too high….some private homeowners in Margate are still fighting back….privately

* Local media and many politicians in Atlantic City spent 18 months taking a big giant steamy…you know what…on Donald Trump, Glen Straub…..& Governor Christie….is it time for payback?

All that & more….as we track the Reinvention of Atlantic City

I am MEL TAYLOR….on ACprimetime Radio……sponsored by Lacey Cleaning…the best in carpet cleaning, construction site cleanup & rental turn-over.  LACEYCLEANING.com

ACprimetime Radio is also powered by Get Smart Digital…..the fasted growing…most sexy… digital marketing company along the Jersey shore. Need a kick-ass website? Hit 'em up at www.GetSmartDigital.com

On this episode of ACprimetime Radio, we continue tracking the Re-invention of Atlantic City. Imagine that. The man who virtually built the casino industry in Atlantic City, will be our next President of the United States of America.

The social justice warriors inside of most local newspapers, TV & Radio hate Donald J. Trump. While not a perfect man, ya gotta love the set of cahones on The Donald.

The reporters inside The Press of Atlantic City and The Philadelphia Inquirer.....and a few WOND 1400am Radio dorks..... are now huddled in their 'safe spaces'. These hacks were totally triggered by Trump's populist win. On occasion, these journo-pundits do emerge from their parent's basement to stalk a local GOP Congressmen or two.....record some iPhone video GOTCHA.....and post to their Twitter account. Traditional Journalism is officially over with this past election. Take that one to the bank, cupcake.

State take-over of Atlantic City is official. Tim Cunningham could be in charge.....for next 5 years.

Take-over Time

The NJ state Local Finance Board will take over Atlantic City’s critical decision-making powers. Local Government Services Director Tim Cunningham is now in charge. He has the authority to sell city assets, adjust the city workforce, and most controversial of all.... the ability to break union contracts.

Ex-AC veteran employee......Postcard Joey Pollillo checks in to ACprimetime Radio and talks State take-over, casino water, aquifers, Brigantine, his new book, and course...the crooked media.

The Kevin Hall Show Program is featured too. We love this WOND Radio show. Bruce Ward of the MUA was a recent guest.

Assemblyman Brown on ACprimetime Radio

LISTEN > He fights hard against North Jersey Casinos. NJ Assemblyman; Chris Brown. That's why we had him as a guest on ACprimetime Radio.

Didya know? Brown served two military tours and is now a successful Atlantic City attorney. Super-passionate about keeping casino gaming out of North Jersey.

We talk about:

* Atlantic City Casinos. Our love/hate relationship with: Borgata

* Crazy tax assessments & tax appeals

* The REAL financial value of Borgata. (it's $1.8 Billion....NOT $850 million.)

* In an over-saturated market, the NJ sees no net gain by expanding gaming

* Protecting jobs in Atlantic City & Atlantic County

* The pros & cons of North Jersey casinos

* National & local security. Lone-wolf terrorism

* The 9-11 Memorial on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

* His new found love of pod-casting

What you’re saying is in this over-saturated market, the answer is to add casinos to the market?” Assemblyman Chris Brown.

 

Jeff Gural, owner of Meadowlands Race Track, called into ACprimetime Radio to discuss benefits of North Jersey Casinos. Click to listen.

On Nov 8, NJ voters will decide on whether to expand gaming in New Jersey. The referendum, if OK'ed by voters, will allow 2 casinos to operate in the northern portion of the state. One of those potential casinos could be Jeff Gural's Meadowlands.

Listen to ACprimetime Radio Interview

Gural tells ACprimetime Radio that the $200 million per year that Atlantic City could get, if the referendum passes, could help the beleaguered city re-invent itelf and diversify it's economy, something AC might be forced to do... before long.

Atlantic City Considers North Jersey Casinos. Jeffrey Gural Preps Meadowlands for Gaming.

Gaming is spreading, says Gural. NJ can take that casino tax money....or those dollars will find a home in New York, Philly or Maryland.

CEO Haskell & COO Randle

CEO Sam Haskell and COO Josh Randle are the men behind the women of the Miss America organization.

We visited the MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION in Atlantic City on Aug 29, inside the beautiful Claridge Hotel. Listen. They're featured guests on ACprimetime Radio.

CEO Sam Haskell

http://media.blubrry.com/acprimetime/content.blubrry.com/acprimetime/Miss_A_HASKELL_8.31.2016_aup.mp3

COO Josh Randle

http://media.blubrry.com/acprimetime/content.blubrry.com/acprimetime/AC_Miss_A_Josh_b.mp3

Topics covered: It's more than just a beauty pageant, ABC-TV, ratings, Return on Investment, diversity, first openly Gay contestant, scholarships, 15 year anniversary of 9-11, etc.

The Miss America Organization is the nation's largest scholarship provider for young women, featuring 52 state license organizations, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Miss America 2005 pageant held on September 18, 2004, would be the last one televised live on ABC. It the last one held in Atlantic City for ten years.  The Miss America 2006 pageant was moved to a January broadcast in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino). It was broadcast live on cable outlets like CMT and TLC.

Miss A returned to network TV with the 2011 competition.

By the 2014 crowning, the Miss America pageant (held on September 15, 2013) returned to Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City.

Due to dramatically better ratings, thanks to help from DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS, n March 24, 2016, the Miss America Organization announced a new deal with ABC TV to continue carrying the pageant for the next three years to the 2019 edition.

Listen to South Jersey weather expert; John Bolaris, as he explains the likely impact of Tropical Storm Hermine on the South Jersey shore.