Move to oust 'cartel' from Atlantic City Hall is rejected

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — An effort to drastically reshape government in Atlantic City, which has a tradition of corruption so extensive and colorful that it was the star of hit HBO series “Boardwalk Empire,” has a hit a roadblock.

In response to the storied dirty dealings of this seaside gambling resort, a group led by a casino union boss, a casino owner and a retired state senator is suggesting switching to an appointed city manager and a smaller City Council. Under the current arrangement, the city government is headed by a directly elected mayor.

On Wednesday, the City Clerk rejected the petitions submitted by organizers, saying there were not enough valid signatures to force a special election.

But Bob McDevitt, president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union who has been spearheading the drive, said the group plans to challenge the rejection in court.

“We're not giving up, and we're not going away,” he said. “We're going to right the wrongs of this city whether the ignoramuses that run it like it or not.”

McDevitt said the effort arose from decades of frustration over corruption, high taxes, nepotism and poor municipal services in Atlantic City. The most recent former mayor appears headed for prison next month, and the state seized most of the city's major decision-making power nearly five years ago.

“This isn't a government: This is a cartel,” he said. “It's the same dozen or so people who have controlled this city for 30 years, and they have ravaged the government, and we're not going to let them anymore. We're tired of them taking our money and doing nothing with it.”

Other main backers of the change of government move include Morris Bailey, the owner of Resorts casino, and retired state senator Raymond Lesniak, who led the legal battle...