Atlantic City

It just doesn't make sense. Last week an ordinance was passed in the Atlantic City municipal council that would bar smoking on only 75 percent of any casino floor and leave the remaining 25 percent as designated smoking areas. The casinos are required to set up this bizarre system by April 15. It is being called a "compromise," but I call it a cop-out.

Last year, New Jersey state officials finally came to their senses and banned smoking in virtually all public places, but casinos were left out of the deal. Again, it was called a "compromise." The municipal council in Atlantic City was under pressure from public health groups and casino workers to do something. Legislation has been proposed in Trenton that would no longer exempt casinos from New Jersey's new smoking ban in public places. On February 7 the Atlantic City council voted 6-3 to pass this wacky 75/25 percent ordinance. Think about it. The council is saying that virtually every other worker in every conceivable industry has the right to work in a healthy, smoke-free environment; but if you work in a casino, you get the shaft.

Customers in the casinos will have to put up with smoking in one-quarter of the casino floors. Supposedly some "ventilation system" is to be put in place that would keep cancer-causing second-hand smoke away from the three-quarters of the casino floor designated as non-smoking. Personally, I've never seen a ventilation system in a restaurant or other place that keeps smoke away from so-called "smoke free" areas. That's what happens with smoke. It doesn't respect barriers. It just goes where it goes, into people's lungs that have no desire to be around it.

The casino industry put heavy pressure on the Atlantic City council to reach this deal. I respect the casino industry and the jobs and revenue it creates. I also appreciate that we have legalized gambling in New Jersey because I have a thing for black jack. The casino industry argued that up to 20 percent of its revenue and potentially 3,400 jobs could be lost if 25 percent of the casino floor didn't remain a smoker's paradise. Assume the argument is true, and I have no reason to believe that it's not; but I'm just wondering at what point did we decide that commerce trumps (excuse the pun) public health? It makes no sense.

You can't spit on the floor in a casino or they will throw you out--same thing is true in a restaurant. You can't take gum out of your mouth and stick it on the poker table next to your drink in a casino. It's disgusting. It's dirty. In fact, did you ever notice all those signs in restaurant bathrooms reminding employees to wash their hands before returning to work? What do you think that's about?--Public health and protecting it. So let me get this straight. You can't spit, you can't stick gum anywhere you want and workers are supposed to wash their hands when they leave the bathroom; but you can blow smoke from cigarettes, a known carcinogen, on 25 percent of the casino floor?

Further, if a worker in a casino argues that he doesn't want to work in the 25 percent area because he feels it is a danger to his health, what is supposed to happen to him? Can he be fired? Is he protected? And check this out. If all the smokers are crammed into that 25 percent area of the casino floor, isn't that going to create a greater concentration of smoke? Doesn't that become a potentially greater health hazard?

I don't get it. Only in New Jersey can something like this happen and have government officials who made it happen call it a "compromise" or worse yet, some sort of "victory." It's nuts. It's a disgrace. And the reason it was allowed to happen is because our leaders in Trenton didn't have the guts to ban smoking in EVERY public place, including casinos. They should have never left it up to the municipal council in Atlantic City to deal with this issue.

I say to our leaders in the Statehouse, stop playing games and fast track existing legislation that would ban smoking in casinos. I'm confident the governor would sign it. That law would then supersede any municipal ordinance passed in Atlantic City. After all, isn't that why we have a state government?--To protect us, particularly when it comes to our health? Maybe I'm wrong, or I am missing something here. Write to me, and let me know what you think at sadubato@aol.com

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The way in which state lawmakers have eviscerated the 98 property tax reform recommendations made by four legislative committees last fall is beneath contempt. But it's too soon for taxpayers to give up the fight.

- Don't give up on the reforms, Editorial
Asbury Park Press, February 4, 2007

If you think for one minute that Gov. Corzine or that bunch under the gold dome cares one bit about you and your family, you are out of your mind. They are shameless and soulless.

- Corzine shows true colors, Editorial
Asbury Park Press, January 29, 2007

There was a time when earning $100,000 a year made one wealthy, just like there was a time when a $100,000 home was a large estate. That time is long gone. If the state is going to give tax credits by using income levels, it should raise the ceiling for maximum benefits to an income of, say, $200,000 a year.

- Ceiling is too low, Editorial
Daily Record of Morris County, February 4, 2007

Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, could have done a better job of standing up for the taxpayers. The Republican opposition is making that point clear.

- Do the math on tax cut proposal, Editorial
Ocean County Observer, February 2, 2007

The state Senate is slated to vote tomorrow on the final bills in the property tax "reform" package. We put that "reform" in quotes because Trenton's definition of reform differs from how the word is normally understood... No doubt when it's all done, legislators will tout what they've done as property tax "reform." Only they could see it that way.

- The fantasy of reform, Editorial
The Star-Ledger, February 04, 2007

On Monday, the tax relief proposals will be before the state Senate. At the very least, the Assembly package should be approved. At best it should be strengthened because taxpayers are being crushed by the tax burden.

- Tax relief plan now goes to the Senate, Editorial
The Herald News, January 31, 2007

Meet the new reform, same as the old reform: Election year property-tax rebates that may quickly vanish and a leaky cap on local spending... Unless the Senate tightens this cap bill, Corzine should conditionally veto it - as well as the comptroller - and refuse to approve this election-year rebate until the Legislature passes strong, effective bills. The governor called for bold action back in July, when this exercise began. He ought to take the lead.

- Property tax reform: this sounds familiar, Editorial
The Press of Atlantic City, February 1, 2007

LESNIAK SAYS FINAL SAY ON SPORTS BETTING SHOULD GO TO VOTERS

Senator Says Allowing Atlantic Casinos to Take Bets Could Generate Millions in State Revenue

TRENTON - With Super Bowl weekend serving as a back-drop, Senator Ray Lesniak announced today that he will be pushing efforts to allow voters to decide if they want to legalize sports betting in the State of New Jersey.

"With the biggest sporting event of the year taking place this weekend, it's naive to think that sports betting isn't taking place right now in the Garden State," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "But because of an act of Congress, we've surrendered sports betting to organized crime, off-shore casinos and Las Vegas. Why should millions of dollars go to Las Vegas, off-shore casinos and the mob? I believe New Jersey voters will want a say on this."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!!!

COMING TO A COURT NEAR YOU: ASSEMBLY GOP v. NJ TAXPAYERS

VITALE - 'ATLANTIC CITY COUNCIL SHOULD STAND BY SMOKING BAN'

TRENTON - Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a driving force behind the law creating the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act," which banned smoking in restaurants and bars in the Garden State, issued the following statement regarding reports that an Atlantic City Council ordinance extending the ban on smoking to casinos may be watered down before a vote tomorrow evening.

"Tomorrow night, the Atlantic City Council has the opportunity to close a loophole in our State law banning smoking in indoor workplaces which adversely affects the health and well-being of the thousands of casino employees in the Garden State.

"I only hope that the Council members are able to stave off special interests who are only interested in gutting a measure extending the smoking ban to the casino floor.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Corzine offers nothing new for overburdened taxpayers
Editorial, The Express-Times, January 11, 2007

Property tax reform...

Did Gov. Jon Corzine have anything new to say about tax reform in his State of the State message? Anything that didn't just describe the same ol' crisis in a slightly more elevated pitch?

The pain of highest-in-the-nation property taxes could get a little better, if the Legislature and Corzine can agree on a 20 percent tax cut plan. But even that much is a tradeoff; the money for property tax cuts will come from higher sales taxes and existing tax rebates.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

"The time to act on property tax relief and reform is now," (Gov. Corzine) said. Wasn't it in July, when he told a joint session of the Legislature, "We cannot let this moment pass"? In November, his call was for "bold, bold, bold action in both relief and reform ..." Corzine was right last summer. And in the fall. And now in the winter.
- Enough Talk on Taxes, Editorial, The Star-Ledger

Already, the expectations for significant tax relief have been lowered. The promised 20 percent property tax relief - far more modest than many people had hoped - does not translate to 20 percent overall tax relief. Most of it will be funded by the increase in the sales tax and the elimination of homestead rebates.
- Will New Year Bring Reform?, Editorial, Asbury Park Press

New Jersey residents have heard plenty of talk about this problem before. And they have been disappointed time and again by politicians who did not have the stomach to veer from the politically expedient path, take on special interests and look to the long-term public good rather than the next election.
- Corzine's Words Were on Target. Now, Let's See Action, Editorial, The Press of Atlantic City

The gang that rules the Trenton roost continues to pirouette around the property tax issue by distracting itself with overblown, marginal measures.
- Blather Continues Instead of Action, Editorial, The Trentonian

More residents are fleeing the state over its high taxes. Blowing another deadline could be costly.
- N.J. Property Taxes: There's Late, and Never, Editorial, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlantic Daily Sentinel columnist Virginia McCabe says Rev. Eugene Robinson is the Atlantic City Councilman shown in a video engaging "in oral sex with a woman who takes money from him before performing the acts." McCabe and her attorney, former Atlantic County Democratic Chairman James Carroll, identified Robinson during an appearance on a local radio station in Atlantic City.

CONVICTED OFFICIALS STILL RECEIVING PENSIONS

Senator Henry P. McNamara (R-Bergen/Passaic/Essex) reacted with outrage at media reports that Atlantic City officials convicted of bribe taking were now receiving pension checks from the State Government, while legislation to require mandatory pension forfeiture was mired in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

From Virginia McCabe's story in today's Atlantic Daily Sentinel:

City Councilman Caught on Tape

By VIRGINIA McCABE
Published Nov. 27, 2006

Somebody has secretly filmed the private moments of at least two Atlantic City Councilman. On Monday, a DVD and letter were given to the Atlantic Daily Sentinel. The DVD shows a video of an Atlantic City Councilman engaged in oral sex with a woman who takes money from him before performing the acts. A letter contained in the envelope claims she is a 16-year old prostitute.

The letter also states that another tape is on the way that shows another councilman using illegal drugs.

The Atlantic Daily Sentinel is not revealing the name of the councilman until all reasonable attempts to contact him for comment are completed. His identity is expected to be revealed on The Zone - News Talk 1400 AM at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The councilman had his city hall identification badge attached to his jacket, which he wore throughout most of the sex acts.

In the tape, the councilman is in what appears to be a seedy motel room. He begins deeply kissing a pudgy white woman with very long dark brown hair.

The councilman sits down in a chair while the woman is talking. He takes his wallet out of his back pocket, takes money out and hands it to the woman. She appears to make change and hands him some of the money back. She then takes him by the hand and leads him to the bed.

No Condom is used.

The woman slides the councilman's pants down and begins to massage his sexual organs.

She then slides his underwear down and begins to perform oral sex on him.

His face is clearly visible throughout the sex act. He switches between laying down and sitting up. He grasps the woman's head for a period of time while she is performing oral sex on him.

The woman then pulls his pants all the way down. She kneels on the floor in front of him and continues to perform oral sex on him. He leans up, takes off his jacket and tosses it on the chair.

When the woman finished, the couple began kissing again. She climbs on top of him and they continue to kiss. The woman then puts her shirt back on and the councilman stood up and got dressed.

The end of the video shows the councilman drinking a fluid out of a glass, grinning and smiling.

The origin of the tape is unknown. A reporter received a phone call in the afternoon on Monday. The source of the tape identified himself as "Tim." He said he had a video of an elected official having sex with a 16-year-old white prostitute.

When asked if he had audio and video, he said he would provide the video tape first and the audio tape at another time.

The man would not identify himself. He would not identify the source of the video. He asked to meet with the reporter to hand it over. He suggested a location in the city, which the reporter rejected.

The reporter met with the man on the corner of Boston and Atlantic avenues at 2:45 p.m., on Monday.

He was dressed in a dark blue Navy style coat, black pants and a hood. He wore overly large glasses and appeared to have false facial hair attached to his chin and above his lip.

When he took a yellow padded mailing envelop out of his pocket. The reporter noted that he was wearing surgical gloves.

He grunted a response to being called "Tim," said nothing, handed over the tape and left the area. His direction is unknown.

Inside the yellow mailer was a DVD and a typewritten letter. READ THE LETTER ABOVE RIGHT.

The envelope had a white label on the front with a typed address of WOND Radio and Attention: Virginia McCabe.

There is no way to substantiate the contents of the letter that state the woman in the video is a 16-year old girl or that she was a prostitute.

There is no way to tell when the video was made. There is also no way to substantiate that the councilman had picked the woman up in Atlantic City, in a city owned vehicle.

The DVD was taken to NBC-40 News Director Harvey Cox and his technical staff for review and analysis.

They determined that the video was shot from a camera that was stationary. In the video, the woman's face is obscured by blurred dots, however, after a frame-by-frame analysis, a still photo of the woman's face was captured. Her face is fully visible.

The video had been edited, parts appear to have been cut out after the sex acts. Cox opined that the video had been a VHS copy that was copied onto the DVD that was given to the Atlantic Daily Sentinel.

NBC 40 has a copy of the video and Cox said he plans to have a reporter meet with the councilman for a response and would later air the video. Letter Delivered with the DVD The Name of the Councilman has been deleted until the Atlantic Daily Sentinel makes all resonable attempts to seek a response from the subject of the video.

Contact Virginia McCabe
Cell Phone: 609-404-0362

Verbatim

To Whom it May Concern:

(Name deleted) picked up a "16 year old white female prostitute" on Morris and Atlantic Avenues during the evening hours of mid November 2006 in Atlantic City. he drove the "16 year old white female prostitute" out of town to a hotel in his city council assigned vehicle.

(Name deleted) paid the "16 year old white female prostitute" to perform various oral sex acts on him. (Name deleted) was wearing his city indentification badge throughout the entire sexual act. Also, note during the video the "16 year old white female prostitute" was smoking cigarettes -- so much for his ANTI SMOKING STANCE.

There are questions of whether the City of Atlantic City could be liable because he picked up the 16 year old white female prostitute in his city issued vehicle and acts were performed on him while wearing his city identification badge. People may ask; is this sanctioned by the city of Atlantic City?

Also we have a video of another council person in Atlantic City using illegal drugs. We will be revealing this video in the very near future.