The referendum to change Atlantic City’s form of government is set for March 31.But the success in getting the move to a vote will stop there, a group of Atlantic City leaders and residents promised Wednesday.“We call this the billionaire North Jersey takeover,” Mayor Marty Small said.Noting the charge is being led by former state Sen. Ray Lesniak from Union County, the leadership of Resorts and Local 54 President Bob McDevitt, who Small called a “puppet” of North Jersey.“No I’m not going to negotiate with Ray Lesniak,” Council President George Tibbitt said. “He can go to hell.” A yes vote would change the form of government to council-manager, with a return to nonpartisan elections with at-large officials serving four-year terms.Blown-up copies of certifications showed that those behind it are not from Atlantic City, but places like Union, Hillside and Elizabeth, he said.The group painted a picture of a government that would strip away ward representation, take control of water and Bader Field, dismantle the police department and make an island fire department.“People in Atlantic City are more astute than they think we are,” said Atlantic County Freeholder Ernest Coursey.“We see it as a hostile takeover,” said Bishop Robert Hargrove, whose Grace Family Church served as the setting for the gathering. “The leadership of our community is black and brown. And all through the state we’ve seen other institutions with black and brown leadership under attack. That’s what we see it as, a hostile attack.”Imam Amin Muhammad the community to work to change things.“Stand together, work together and fight,” he said, “so that you make an example that when they go back in their private meetings to plot again that they realize it’s a waste of time, Atlantic City is not having it.”
