It’s been a tough summer for Atlantic City. After losing one casino, the Atlantic Club, in January, three more casinos are poised to close within the next three weeks, including the new Revel Casino Hotel. Don Guardian was improbably elected mayor late last year and took over on New Year’s Day. His term has been a rocky one. In addition to the closing of the four casinos, the city’s property tax rate was set to soar by almost 50 percent. Through his relationships with the state, including with Governor Chris Christie, Guardian managed to get the increase down to “only” 29 percent, but many residents and businesses are shell shocked nonetheless. The soaring tax rate contributed to the casino closures but also prevents other companies from investing in Atlantic City if there is no stability in city revenues. But Guardian has a plan and he outlined it during an interview with GGB Publisher, and Atlantic City taxpayer, Roger Gros at his offices in City Hall in August.
