State Takeover Of Atlantic City Should've Happened 40 Years Ago, Former Governor Says

Former New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco believes the state should’ve taken control of Atlantic City when gaming was first approved in the city 40 years ago, the Press of Atlantic City reports.

“I think that would have been the appropriate time for the state to develop some form of control over the development of the casino industry and Atlantic City, so there would have been a plan back then,”

DiFrancesco said during the former Governor’s Year in Review panel at the League of Municipalities on Wednesday, according to the report.

Former governor Jim McGreevey, who was also part of the panel along with Jim Florio and John O. Bennett, agreed the takeover was necessary, according to the report.

The Local Finance Board approved the state takeover of Atlantic City with a 5-0 vote last week.

Local Government Services Director Tim Cunningham appointed State Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa to oversee various aspects of the city, including the ability to sell the city’s assets, break union contractors, hire and fire workers and reverse decisions of city council.