The former path to the former fishing pier in Somers Point, where many wedding ceremonies have been held. (Photo: Jeff Schwachter)

This important information came in from Gov. Chris Christie’s office regarding Tuesday, Nov. 6, Election Day, and a directive issued to permit New Jersey residents the availability to vote by fax or e-mail:

Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Department of State has issued a directive today to county elections officials to permit New Jersey registered voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy to vote electronically. This directive also is intended to assist displaced first responders, whose tireless recovery efforts away from home has made voting a challenge.

“This has been an extraordinary storm that has created unthinkable destruction across our state and we know many people have questions about how and where to cast their vote in Tuesday’s election. To help alleviate pressure on polling places, we encourage voters to either use electronic voting or the extended hours at county offices to cast their vote,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. “Despite the widespread damage Hurricane Sandy has caused, New Jersey is committed to working through the enormous obstacles before us to hold an open and transparent election befitting our state and the resiliency of its citizens.”

Voters can download a mail-in ballot application for their county by visiting here.

A list of county clerk websites, phone numbers and fax numbers are available by visiting here.

(more…)

Out-of-water boats (this one near the Black Horse Pike in Pleasantville) are still all around the region thanks to Sandy.

My good friend from Toronto, Canada, called me several times during Hurricane Sandy making sure I was all right and that my family was okay. She was seeing the reports and watching footage that made parts of New York and New Jersey “look like a war zone” as she put it in an e-mail.

The most recent call she made was about the upcoming presidential election. She wanted to know why there was no discussion about postponing the election since so many people were away from their homes or having to deal with being homeless.

I didn’t do a very good job of articulating why it probably never occurred to most Americans that Hurricane Sandy could stop the presidential election. I wasn’t ready for the question and fumbled my way to explaining that Sandy only affected the northeast and that the government would make sure that citizens could vote despite the hardships.

What I didn’t say is that Americans take pride in coming through in a tough situation and would be angry that the havoc of Sandy would delay the election. They want to know who their next president will be now, not later.

The state of New Jersey is making it easier for displaced New Jerseyans to vote. Using a system already accessible to military members deployed overseas, New Jersey will allow displaced residents to cast their votes using e-mail or fax on Election Day.

“To help alleviate pressure on polling places, we encourage voters to either use electronic voting or the extended hours at county offices to cast their vote,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno said in a statement. “Despite the widespread damage Hurricane Sandy has caused, New Jersey is committed to working through the enormous obstacles before us to hold an open and transparent election befitting our state and the resiliency of its citizens.”

While there is concern that the losing side could perhaps challenge designating those displaced by the storm as “overseas voters,” necessary to make the votes cast legal, I can’t image any politician stupid enough to fight these votes considering the circumstances. This would be the first time civilian voters have also been allowed to use an electronic system.

It will be hard for some in the storm zone to vote, but please take the time. Have your say.

The clean-up continues. This tree was removed quickly - luckily it didn't do any damage.

The members of the Friends of Shop, Dine and Play Committee cordially invite the public to attend a series of upcoming informational meetings. The meetings are designed to answer voter questions and present factual information to assist the voters of Ocean City in making their decision on the BYOB ordinance that will be on the May 8 ballot. The meetings are free and open to the public.

They will take place on the following dates:
April 18th  2012 at 7pm The Chatterbox Restaurant,  500 Ninth Street (9th & Central)
April 25, 2012 at 7pm Cousin’s Restaurant, 104 Asbury Avenue
May 2, 2012 at 7m Residence of Jane L. Custer, 3843 Central Ave.

The new ordinance, if passed, will replace the 1984 police ordinance that forbids BYOB in restaurants in Ocean City. If passed, the new ordinance will permit patrons of non-boardwalk restaurants to bring their own wine or beer to qualified restaurants who choose to participate. BYOB would be limited between the hours of 2 and 11pm.

A full copy of Proposed Ordinance #4-1.4 can be viewed here.

Joanne Bernardini of the committee said in a recent “letter to the editor” sent to AC Weekly that “BYOB is about more than those who want to have a glass of wine with their dinner. It is about saving the year round business community in Ocean City. Those who have doubts only need to take a walk throughout the downtown. Many of the stores and restaurants that serviced the year round residents are empty and now sport a “for sale” sign in the windows that used to feature merchandise. Tourists know they need to leave the island to have a glass of wine with their long anticipated and longed for vacation dinners.

“We spend millions to get tourists to come to our town only to chase them off at diner time, to eat and to shop taking their hard earned dollars to the next town’s economy!”

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire Facebook page has a preview clip of this Sunday’s episode of the show, which is episode 21 “Battle of the Century.”

If you’ve been watching this season, so far we have seen fighter Jack Dempsey a few times, training for his big 1921 heavyweight title bout — which took place in Jersey City — against Georges Carpentier, dubbed “The Battle of the Century” by Atlantic City Weekly history writer and author Jim Waltzer  in his book about the fight, which you can read about here.

Here’s the trailer below. Make sure to check out AC Weekly’s Boardwalk Empire Notes page and join the AC Weekly Boardwalk Empire Fan Club Facebook page to keep up to date with interviews, breaking news and other stories about the show.

I have been reading with great interest an advance copy of Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews. During my lunch break today, Atlantic City came up on the pages of the book.

By October of 1959 JFK had already spent the previous three years getting his run for president in order, building up support across the country. According to Matthews’ well-researched book, Kennedy knew that Hubert H. Humphrey would be a tough opponent for the Democratic nomination and HHH was popular with the unions. Union support was essential for any candidate running for the Democratic nomination. Therefore, Kennedy made sure he was given a slot to address the United Auto Workers Union at their convention in Atlantic City.

Yes, folks, Atlantic City was an important convention town and hosted the UAW back in ’59.

Here is the excerpt from Matthews’ book:

“At the UAW event, Kennedy further closed the distance between himself and Humphrey. The Minnesotan delivered a rousing speech … Still, according to reports, the ‘wild and frenzied’ reception given Jack Kennedy by the convention-goers surpassed it.”

After winning that tight race with Richard Nixon in 1960, Kennedy later returned to the UAW convention in 1962 in Atlantic City. I came across this video of that speech.

Christie

The Newark Star-Ledger has an interesting piece this Monday afternoon, Oct. 3, which appears on its Web site, about how a possible run for president by current New Jersey governor Chris Christie could negatively effect Atlantic City.

In a story called “Possible Chris Christie presidential run could slow Atlantic City redevelopment,” Christie’s rumored plans to possibly throw his hat into the GOP ring of presidential hopefuls is discussed with regard to  redevelopment plans of Atlantic City.

Plans that Christie ordered when he initially took to the podium across from Boardwalk Hall on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in the summer of 2010 (see photos) , and which he again stressed during a galvanizing speech at the site of the resort’s first new casino since Borgata — Revel — this past summer, and when he announced a new head of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) on Sept. 7 of this year.

“Private investors might hesitate to spend up to hundreds of millions of dollars into plans to redevelop Atlantic City if Gov. Chris Christie seeks the Oval Office, according to a report on NorthJersey.com,” reads the Star-Ledger piece.

“The revitalization of Atlantic City has been one of Christie’s main priorities since taking office last year, and he’s aimed to attract private funding to advance stalled projects. But if Christie engages in a cross-country campaign for president — or is elected — the confidence investors have in the state’s commitment to Atlantic City and similar initiatives will fade away, the report said,” the piece continues.

The story, which went online Monday afternoon, Oct. 3, also quotes James Kehoe, the chairman of the  CRDA: “The bottom line here is, would we be better off as far as completing these projects if Christie remains in New Jersey? The answer’s yes.”

The report from NorthJersey.com also states that “confidence won’t be replaced even if Lt. Gov. Kim Gaudagno assumes the governorship in Christie’s absence, despite her pro-business record,” according to the article.

If Christie were to jump into the national political (circus) ring, there is a chance that progression with regard to his planned Tourism District in Atlantic City — for which the CRDA just awarded a contract to Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle Americas to create a master plan by February 2012 — might get held up during any gubernatorial transition.

There is also a chance that Christie may lose — to either another Republican presidential hopeful or to President Obama in 2012.

Read: Gov. Christie signs Atlantic City Tourism Bills

Read:  CRDA Approves $10 Million for Downtown Atlantic City Revitalization

Read: Arts District Discussed at Recent Atlantic City Forum

Read: Gov. Christie Announces New CRDA Director John Palmieri

Related: Drew Toonz – “The ‘Jersey Shore’ Tax Subsidy Cut by Christie:

(See more Drew Toonz comics here)

Following this week’s ultimate demise of the NJN TV and radio networks, after New Jersey Legislators agreed to end funding the station — much to the dismay of its more than 140 employees, as well as long-time, dedicated news reporters such as Michael Aron, Jerry Henry, Kent St. John, and other familiar names and faces from NJN — it has been announced that Philadelphia’s public radio station WHYY will expand its coverage in New Jersey as part of its agreement to take over five NJN stations. WNET NY and NJTV will also be taking over NJN coverage as part of the agreement.

For some background information on the situation, click here.

Here is the crux of the press release that went out Thursday, June 30, the day NJN was forced to officially close down its operations.

“WHYY marks a major expansion of its broadcast area when it begins operating five New Jersey radio stations July 1. WHYY-FM programming will be heard on the stations as part of an agreement to provide continued public media service to Garden State residents after the closure of the New Jersey Network.

The Olympian will not get the chance to run for Senate in New Jersey as he had wished.

Another case of the state hindering a person’s ability to help people?

Or is it a simple case of the laws of the state?

However, the race to get in the race may not be over yet.

What do you think?

The Donald for Prez? That would get him better ratings than firing people on The Apprentice. Decorated Iraq War veteran Nick McLaughlin of St. Charles, Missouri, has announced the formation of an all-volunteer organization to draft Donald J. Trump for the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination.

McLaughlin saw combat in three tours in Iraq in the US Marine Corp and was hit by shrapnel from a car bomb in Ubush, Iraq. He was awarded a Purple Heart and nine other medals including a Presidential citation.

“Under Barak Obama, America has become a laughingstock around the world,” said McLaughlin. “America needs a strong leader like Donald Trump to restore America’s economic strength and respect around the world.”

McLaughlin, who has never been active in politics before, said he had filed the committee with the Federal Election Commission and that the organization was not directed, authorized or funded by Trump. “I have never met Mr. Trump,” says McLaughlin, “But I am certain he is the man America needs.”

If you agree, visit this website and sign the petition. Sarah Palin could use some competition.

Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

I am so glad the mid-term elections are over. Those damn negative political commercials were driving me nuts. They seem like such a waste of money. It is hard to imagine that anyone is influenced by these ridiculous, negative ads that make it sound like the worst people in the planet are running for public office.

However, the people who spend the money and make these ads seem to think they do work; otherwise they wouldn’t bombard us every election year.

I was especially amused by the ads that suggested that representative Nancy Pelosi is the devil and that all the Democrats running this year that agree with her voting record are the devil’s henchmen. Reminds me of when the Democrats suggested that every Republican candidate agreed with everything George Bush did, so they were as stupid as he was.

If you go by the ads, our country is run by a bunch of easily influenced idiots who only care about themselves, not the country. Gee, I guess those ads are right.

It is so sad that just two years after this nation elected its first African-American president, it is business as usual. Winning is everything and actually getting something done once in office doesn’t seem nearly as important.

No wonder the young voters who were energized by the Obama campaign disappeared during this election. If you were young and excited about being a part of the election process, wouldn’t you be disappointed that the man you helped elect appears to be standing in quicksand? The war continues, the economy is suffering and the president’s attempt to create a national healthcare system is being trashed as “Obamacare.”

If this country — and its political leaders — can somehow drag themselves out of the current economic morass, maybe things will start looking up. However, when money is tight, nobody is happy.

We are one unhappy nation right now, looking to blame the politicians. That’s probably why those annoying commercials do work.

Below is a “positive” commerical about Christine O’Donnell, who felt the need to tell people she was “not a witch.” P.S.: She lost.