Frank Gilliam Jr., 47, an Atlantic City native and former councilman-at-large, was sworn in as the resort’s new mayor succeeding Don Guardian, who served a single term.
At a swearing-in ceremony, Gilliam said he wants to make the city the “shining star of New Jersey.”
“It’s a surreal feeling. I feel very proud,” Gilliam told the Press of Atlantic City after the ceremony.
Gilliam was elected to the resort’s City Council in 2009 and was re-elected to his at-large seat in 2013.
Gilliam described his vision for the city following the ceremony, saying his ability to unify and bring in new ideas will help to foster the change the city needs during his term.
“We can expect progressiveness. We can expect open ideas. We can expect the question, ‘Why not? Why not Atlantic City?’” Gilliam said.
He said his first order of business as mayor will be to sit down with New Jersey state officials to discuss a future “partnership,” the Press reported. The state is currently in control of all city finances, but incoming Governor Phil Murphy has said he wants to end the state takeover.
Meanwhile, Guardian has accepted a job as municipal administrator for Toms River in Ocean County New Jersey.
In another story, former state Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Director John Palmieri and been named Newark deputy mayor for economic growth.
Palmieri was appointed CRDA director in 2011 and stepped down at the end of 2016. He oversaw $1 billion in redevelopment initiatives and investment in the city.
“This is my home state. I’m really happy to be able to remain in the state,” Palmieri told the Press. “The challenge of continuing to advance the mission of development in Newark was quite appealing.”
Palmieri will oversee non-real estate economic growth, such as infrastructure, transportation and development, helping to “shape the city’s multi-billion-dollar revitalization,” according to a press release.
