TRENTON — Reactions are already rolling in as Gov. Chris Christie prepares to announce a former Boston official as the new executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City. Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) said Christie should have chosen someone from in New Jersey for the job. "There are plenty of out-of-work former Atlantic City casino executives...
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Gov. Christie pictured during an April town hall meeting. TRENTON — Reactions are already rolling in as Gov. Chris Christie prepares to announce a former Boston official as the new executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City.
Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) said Christie should have chosen someone from in New Jersey for the job.
"There are plenty of out-of-work former Atlantic City casino executives from New Jersey who should have been selected," he said.
Lesniak also reiterated his support for internet gaming and sports betting, saying "it won't matter who is the CRDA director if the governor doesn't change his position and get more revenue flowing into the casinos."
Keith Davis, the Atlantic County Republican chairman, said Christie has been taking the right steps to improve the city.
"While previous politicians have used Atlantic City for short-term personal agendas, this governor is systematically placing smart and experienced people here who will act on merit and merit alone," he said. "That’s a refreshing change and one that will make Atlantic City a premier destination resort, creating more New Jersey jobs."
The new CRDA director, John Palmieri, has worked in Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Hartford, Conn., and Providence, R.I. His appointment is an important step in Christie's effort to revitalize Atlantic City, since the CRDA is becoming increasingly powerful under the governor's plans.
The CRDA draws funds from casino revenue and has spent $1.8 billion on 400 economic- and community-development projects across the state since its creation in 1984. Now all of the authority’s money will be invested in Atlantic City.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino praised Christie's choice of Palmieri, saying he knows how to decipher what projects are real and which ones are "phantom" — an important quality in Atlantic City, which has a troubled history with development.
"He’s a professional," Menino said. "He’s experienced. He knows how to get the job done."
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