This is my reaction to the story in the Press of Atlantic City pertaining to Liza Cartmell and the Atlantic City Alliance.
The 30 million dollars that at one time funded horse racing and racing related activities in the state is now kept in Atlantic City to be used by the Atlantic City Alliance, the nonprofit organization funded by the Atlantic City casinos. The casinos kick in the 30 million dollars, they put together and make up the membership of this alliance and hired Ms Cartmell to to run it.
When AC had no competition people came, spent money and everyone was happy. Some depressed areas of the city were eliminated but most remained. We didn’t even have the Outlet Stores at the Walk and we were kickin A**.
But then it happened, how dare they Delaware “Got Gambling”. We were warned AC knew it was coming and from what I see nothing was done to keep Delaware slot players coming back.
Then it happened again PA “Got Gambling”, we were warned and there was nothing we could do to stop it. OUCH
Atlantic City has always been a Resort Destination “n” “A place frequented by people for relaxation or recreation: a ski resort.” We can talk about the incarnations of Atlantic City dating back to the 1800′s but won’t, this is about today!
Enter Governor Christie, he made some changes in the management of the city, appointed a new head of the CRDA the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and things started to happen. Then the Atlantic City Alliance was started.
Everyone always has good intentions and ideas, but the town needed action. Liza Cartmell was brought in to head the Atlantic City Alliance and to oversea the 30 million dollars. Ms Cartmell held a previous position at Aramark.
This is how I see it. Ms Cartmell is a facilitator, she will seek out and propose to the committee the right people and companies to re-brand and market Atlantic City to the nation and utilize the team at the CRDA to do the marketing locally, this is a huge job and all eyes are on her. We need someone with the right contacts and agencies across the country not just in South Jersey to get the job done.
I’m going to give you a name of a resort chain, I’m sure you’ve heard of them and may even be able to picture something associated with them…Sandals Resorts. Who hasn’t heard of them? If this group gets 1/2 the job done the Sandals marketing team has, everything will be just fine, and I believe they will!
As far as the alliance reporting everything they do and how and who will handle the publicity and Liza Cartmell having to report every move she makes and who she talks to…No!! We Have To Trust this team to do the right thing. Let them do their job, I know this is hard to do in Atlantic City but we have to trust them to get the job done.
Why can’t we be content to let someone do their job? Maybe past results in Atlantic City, past promises not kept some from candidates running for office or casino projects talked about that never happened, or the B.B. gun I wanted as a kid but never got, OK that’s another story. Trust!
Since Atlantic City is more than casinos, will that money be used to market and promote Atlantic City as a resort destination that includes the Baltimore Grill, Ducktown Tavern, Irish Pub and the hundreds of privateers who are the real charm of Atlantic City. I’ve been involved in many discussions with my friends and colleagues in the media about this and I feel they will market the entire town as a destination just like Vegas, Branson or Aruba and the individual casinos will do their own marketing from their individual budgets.
One thing we can count on, our local newspaper and others throughout the state will be on her and this committee like a fly on **** reporting everything they can get the scoop on, actually that’s their job.
I have all the faith in the world in this group, we should just sit back and not get an aneurysm over it, now go out and enjoy our town there is so much to do here now.
This Just In!! Both Superbowl Team Coaches will have their playbooks open for public inspection before the game, OK Maybe not!
If this were Animal House They’d be on Double Secret Probation
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