The state’s relationship with Atlantic City is unchanged, despite media reports that it has taken on full control.
“Nothing has changed,” Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Ryan told BreakingAC.
The Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act has been in effect, and gives the state its power, she said.
City Council President Marty Small said that the state exerted its full power at a meeting before Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
“Regarding council President Small's statement yesterday, it was said in specific reference to a question from the public about the council president's compensation proposal for city employees, which we are still evaluating,” Ryan said. “The council president was just reminding people that the state is the ultimate decision maker and administrator of day-to-day functions in the city.”
But Small’s statements went beyond that, saying that the state had decided to exert its full powers under MRSA.
Inferences have been made that Mayor Frank Gilliam is being stripped of his powers due to an ongoing investigation by the FBI and IRS and an earlier fight at a casino nightclub.
Gilliam was not at City Hall by noon Thursday.
But he said through Chief of Staff Maisha Moore that nothing has changed since the MSRA took effect in 2016.
“Nothing has changed,” Gilliam said. “The state has always had the final say.”
“Nothing has changed,” Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II repeated over and over. “This is not because of controversy or whatever has gone on.”
Fauntleroy, who faces simple assault and harassment charges with Gilliam related to the earlier fight, said this is the same takeover that began under Chris Christie’s administration.
“Except they’re now calling it a partnership so we can actually work together,” he said.
