Atlantic City Memory Lane

Submitted by ernest b. kuhl from michigan. Entered on February 8, 2010
"who is kidding who. your into politics for what you can get out of it. In politics you pay your dues, literally. I know, I was there at the bottom when the little brown envelopes were passed around. County level goverment. Country engineer dept. To get the job, you met with a local rep who told you to remember on voting day. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Helen Almond from Holiday, Florida. Entered on February 7, 2010
"Does anyone remember Atlantic Technical High School? To this day, I remember all my wonderful teachers there. There was Mrs. Carter, Mr. Weems, Miss Rhodes, Miss Aubery, Mr. Ekaitis and I am sorry to say, I cannot remember the names of the others, my Physical Ed teacher, for example. She was very kind to me as were all the others. I would really love to hear from anyone who remembers. I believe there was no graduating class." Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Amadeo from Daytona Beach Fl. Entered on February 6, 2010
"Read with great sadness the sudden and unexpected passing of Capt Wayne Neuterman in Florida. Wayne and I were sworn into the ACPD on the same day and years later while I left to pursue private business passions (Bars) Wayne went on to forge a successful career on the Dept. After he retired and moved to Florida he went back to school to get a Masters Degree and became a High School English Teacher. Wayne who grew up in the Inlet and Brigantine had a great passion and Love for AC., at only 62 his life was far too short" Edit Entry

Submitted by Jim Hook from Atlanta. Entered on February 5, 2010
"The giveaways (housing/welfare), AND the "Takeaways' going to the pols friend are wringing our fair town dry. Those who are an active part of either faction have only 'situational allegience' to this legacy town. Donna and Judy from West Chester, who like me, had many summers by the shore see a decline needing real change NOW. For all, maybe the new Gov. will be a catalyst. The Camden, Part II is scary. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Dennis Pucello from Rochester Ma. Entered on February 4, 2010
"I was but a summer resident on Bellvue Avenue. My Grandmother Rose Peru bought 154 South Bellvue in 1950, and for eighteen years it was the center of the known universe for our family. The winters in lansdowne Pa did not not exist. If people are still actively involved with this WEB site, I have stories about the summer Texas Avenue from the 1960's that are classics to this day and would gladely be willing to elaborate." Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Amadeo from Daytona Beach Fl. Entered on February 4, 2010
"Two Gun Tommy Taggert,I did some research on this former AC Mayor and legendary character. In the 1930s he was elected to the NJ State Assembly for one term and the State Senate for one term. In 1940 he ran for City Commissioner of Atlantic City and was appointed Mayor, he made himself Chief of Police. In 1941 and 42 with the threat of the Military taking over Atlantic City as a training destination Taggert ran raids on the gambling and prostitution establishments which permeated the town, he also raided Bingo and Pokerino Halls on the Boardwalk and would stroll the Wooden Way with his 2 pearl handled revolvers in plain sight (hence the moniker). They say he was a short fat man with a Napolianic Complex and was alledged to be a little light in the loafers (not that theres anything wrong with that).. After he raided the Hialeah which was operated by the Camarota Brothers and a Casino operated by Skinny D'Amato (500 Club Fame) and Jake Colby (Jack Beranato of Luigi's) sending them both to jail things got a little too hot for 2 gun. In 1942 while on vacation in Florida the City Fathers under the auspices of Hap Farley and Stumpy Orman decided to strip him of his Public Safety duties and named Vice Squad Capt Harry Saunders Chief of Police. Taggert finished out his term as Mayor in 1944 and DECIDED not to run again (shocking!!!). He died of a heart attack in 1950." Edit Entry

Submitted by Anubis from Las Vegas. Entered on February 3, 2010
"Here's my two cents: Yes, to the best of my knowledge Joseph Altman was an honest gentleman. Jay Bradway was another story as was "Two Gun" Taggart. Las Vegas was a "railroad" town long before it became a casino city and suffered from all the problems of being controlled by the railroad. After gambling became big time Vegas was relatively controlled as only the "connected" crooks were allowed to steal as opposed to a free for all. The principal thing we need today is term limits for all politicians and AN EFFECTIVE WAY to cut short or recall them when they start behaving like royalty and ignoring the people and lying to us (which almost always involves malfeasance in office and outright theft). AC really missed the boat when gambling first came in due to greed. Well, it didn't rain money and the elected officials were ignorant thieves looking to maximize their gains and steal as much as possible for their cronies. Here is a litmus test: Examine the net worth of any elected official before and after election and their public salaries. Then explain where the extra money came from." Edit Entry

Submitted by Bob R from Ventnor. Entered on February 3, 2010
"Does anyone remember Mayor Tommy "Two Gun" Taggart.. He went on all police raids with 2 pearl handled holstered guns showing. He raided all the "horse rooms" and "cat houses" in town in an effort to "clean up" AC. Lasted only one term" Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Amadeo from Daytona Beach Fl. Entered on February 3, 2010
"Come on folks, not every Mayor and Council person in AC was a crook although we did have our share, most notably Mike Matthews. How about Joe Lazarow who shephered in gambling? He was OK" Edit Entry

Submitted by Tom D from Italy. Entered on February 3, 2010
"OK, one more opinion. Las Vegas was always a casino town. AC, although gambling was part of it's fabric, had a different 'raison d'etre', and didn't make the transition from what was basically a family resort to casino town intact. BTW, the word casino in Italiano means brothel, give it an accent at the end, casino', and it means casino. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Henry Weiss from Galloway, NJ. Entered on February 2, 2010
"In my lifetime in AC, over 60 yrs, the only mayors that I can recall that were not involved in any form of political scandal or corruption were, in order, Joseph Altman, Jay Bradway and Jim Whelan. Of course, this only includes elected mayors, and not party appointees such as Scott Evans and William Marsh, who had relatively short-lived terms. Our current mayor, Lorenzo Langford, has not been guilty of corruption or scandal, although his tenure is tainted by an unresolved lawsuit against the city (I believe he has been instructed by the courts to pay back money won in an overturned lawsuit). If you go back in history, corruption and political greed have been the mainstay of politics in Atlantic City for more decades than one can remember, going back as far as the 1800's." Edit Entry

Submitted by Larry Letzer from Copperas Cove, Texas. Entered on February 2, 2010
"Submitted by Judy Gilmore from Boston.I heard that Ac has never had a Mayor that wasn't brought up on charges, is that true? This part by Larry Letzer When I was growing up in Atlantic City Joseph Altman was the mayor. He was a very respected man. Sure, he had people that disagreed with his policies. Doesn't every politician. But he finished his terms with dignity. Do not ever remember him being accused of anything shady." Edit Entry

Submitted by Judy Gilmore from Boston. Entered on February 2, 2010
"Bill, I couldn't have said it better. We learned nothing from the first fall pre casino. I heared that Ac has never had a Mayor that wasn't brought up on charges, is that true?" Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Amadeo from Daytona Beach Fl. Entered on February 2, 2010
"As to why the powers that be, in Atlantic City give scant consideration to anything historical, greed may be a plausible excuse and Im sure it is prevalent but I fear the underlying cause is even more sinister. I think the present administration while dipping into the cookie jar for there own individual benefit more succintly dont consider historical significance because they practice the theories of manicheaism and feel they did not share in the fruits of AC History. Atlantic City has always had its share of political bosses and scoundrels AND what was once the crowned Queen of Resorts and Playground of the World fell on woeful times. With the hard economic conditions and increased competition the Casinos which fueled the rebirth of the city are now in a very precarious position. It would bode well for those who are in charge to heed the words of George Santanyana..."Those who ignore the lessons of History are Doomed to Repeat it." Edit Entry

Submitted by ratso from PA. Entered on February 1, 2010
"Lahri, Tom, Pat etc. all have the right conceptual grasp of the current AC. It is not corporate greed, it is personal greed. The city government is so corrupt that it is almost impossible to change. Look who is in charge. It is not race, religion, political party. It is individuals who wish to attain wealth and power. There is enough in AC to benefit everyone." Edit Entry

Submitted by Larry Letzer from Copperas Cove, Texas. Entered on February 1, 2010
"Tommy D, Unfortunately I have to somewhat disagree with you regarding the plight/blight that AC has become. When the casinos first came to town they were willing to give the city almost everything they wanted. Trouble was, they (city fathers and state govt) sensed a non-ending cash cow and as Laurie said, it was pure greed. Businesses are entitled to make a profit as they take all of the risks, but the city demanded way too much and the casinos went back to the letter of the contracts they had with the state/city. Sure, the casinos are not blameless as they have contributed to promoting only their locations, but it by no means if all their fault. Since then, our history and heritage - the wonderful city and its attractions have suffered. " Edit Entry

Submitted by PatMcHale Rogers from Virginia Beach (formerly AC). Entered on February 1, 2010
"Lahri, I totally agree with you. Greed is the culprit. Greed infects the corporate world as well as individuals. Rather than accept our own greed, we find it easier to blame everything and everyone else. I don't pretend to know the cure for any of this, but I think you assessed the situation 'right on'. Now, that we have an assessment what plan can we use to intervene in this crumbling city? So far I've only seen Kate's ideas many of which I think could be implemented....what do you think? BTW LAHRI...you must be a HSHS grad....you write so well. If you didn't graduate from HSHS don't tell me....I want to pretend you did. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Amadeo from Daytona Beach Fl. Entered on February 1, 2010
"More distressing news about ACs past, read in todays Press that the State of NJ auditied Atlantic City and found TWENTY THREE MILLION DOLLARS IN GOVT WASTE AND ABUSE....imagine that!!!! In addition there are stories about letting the Garden Pier fall into condemnation so they can off it to a Casino...not repairing the Boardwalk in the Inlet because they cant find the money. Jeopardizing the Lighthouse and Lucy the Elephant for lack of funds and the current Mayor threatening to close down several beaches to save money...I know I live in the glorious past of AC and maybe have selected memories of the Good Old Days but lets see, No Lighthouse, No Lucy, No Piers, No Beach, No Boardwalk, oh I forgot, No Bader Field, hardly anything that relates to the past with the exception of the Ritz, the Dennis and Claridge (part of Ballys) and Chalfont-Haddon Hall (part of the failing Resorts)is gone, seems to me the powers that be dont give a damn about the past and as there cash cow casinos start to go under what they'll have left is Camden-by-the-Sea" Edit Entry

Submitted by Judy Gilmore from Boston. Entered on January 31, 2010
"I personally don't remember anyone having racial prejudices. In Atlantic City we worked mostly as hotel support people, working hard together to survive, no one had the time for hate. Atlantic City failed the first time from corruption and I fear will fail again for the same reason. I rasied my children in the suburbs because I thought it was going to be the wonderful world of OZ, but it isn't. No one will ever take away the insight I have from being rasied in AC. I understand how to work and know there is always a way to make a buck. Truthfully my children would be alot sharper if that had some of my early AC training." Edit Entry

Submitted by Tommy D from Italy. Entered on January 31, 2010
"Thanks, Lahri, for your short, concise and accurate snapshot. It may not sit well with some of us but unfortunately, is, IMHO, true. AC has been raped by big business and the crimes and misdemeanors of the poor, mostly non-whites work very well to take the focus off the nefarious activities of the real bosses "in their coats and their ties" (Ol' Bob Dylan). We, most contributors to ACML, are, I believe, in our 50', 60's and... often view the world through the prism of the the 50's and the 60's (and even the 40's!) with all the prejudice and bigotry that was accepted back then. That said, we are very fortunate to have this forum which, as far as I know, is 'one of a kind'. I continue to be amazed at how long it's lasted with what is basically, 15 year old software. Thanks again to Urb LeJeune, who originally set the site up (and continues to give advice) and to Larry Letzer, the clean up man." Edit Entry