Atlantic City Protest For African-American Business Draws Diverse

The protest at Fish Heads Seafood Restaurant in Atlantic City’s Gardner’s Basin section brought out a diverse turnout, including New Jersey Assemblyman Don Guardian … who is also a former Mayor of Atlantic City.

Assemblyman Guardian did not mince his words during our interview:

“Dredgie has been a creative community leader and has operated the best fish sandwich truck at Gardners Basin for the past seven years,” said Guardian.

“Who would we be throwing out the only African-American owned business in the Basin after 7 years? Since the state took over the Basin 5 years ago they have shut down the aquarium, closed the marina and now throwing out Fish Heads. How s their no issue with The Flying Cloud for 25 years?” said Guardian.

Some of the others who turned out to support Gregory “Dredgie” Wood and his Atlantic City establishment of 25 years include:

Atlantic City Councilwoman LaToya Dunston.
Atlantic City Board of Education Member John Devlin.
Steve Young
John Exadaktilos, Owner, Duck Town Tavern and Liquors.
Tom Forkin
Joe Berg, Chief of Staff - Senator Vince Polistina, R-2.
Derek Brock

Fish Heads is the last African-American owned business left standing.

“I was amazed to see the solidarity from every neighborhood in Atlantic City … coming together for one common purpose … to support a good man with a great business who is being unlawfully targeted by the mayor and his cronies for the mear purpose or retaliation,” said Devlin.

Long-time Atlantic City activist, former Atlantic City a deputy solicitor and former Atlantic City Democratic Chairman Tom Forkin was on hand and said:

“Despite the sadness of seeing political retaliation exercised against my friend of 30 years, Greg Wood (Dredgie); it was heartwarming to see dozens from the community (including Assemblyman Giardia ) come out and support a local small business. An elected officials job is to HELP small businesses not close them,” said Forkin.

“Using the DEP and State as an excuse to close Fishheads is baseless. As laws and ordinances can be amended. Now Fishheads joins the 6 other shuttered businesses and vacant buildings in Gardner’s Basin, another epic FAIL by Small, Murphy and the State Democrats,” concluded Forkin.

Get our free mobile app

So as not to be a distraction, former Atlantic City Council President Craig Callaway opted not to attend today’s protest … but, he did not hold back with his strong opinions on the subject, saying:

“Just when we thought Marty (Mayor Small) could not get any lower, he found a new low. Attacking a very decent man, a loving a caring man, Gregory “Dredgie” Wood who came to the aide of a family and young boy who was viciously and sexually attacked by Marty and La’Quetta Small’s cousin, Kayan Frazier,” said Callaway.

Marty and La’Quetta had the opportunity to come to the aid, to the rescue of this child and other children in the Atlantic City area … but these morally, principally and ethically bankrupt XXXXXXXX chose to protect themselves and their petty interest over the unthinkable attacks on children for years and they have the audacity to say that they did the right thing,” said Callaway.

“In reality they did the opposite and now the are trying to cry victims when 100% they are now the co-victimizers of our children! Dredgie is a hero and Small’s are minus zeros!!!,” said Callaway.

What remains unknown at this hour, will Dredgie Wood remove his Fish Heads Restaurant truck from Gardners Basin by the end of today, as he was directed to do in an email received from the City of Atlantic City about 48 hours ago?

UPDATE: We have confirmed that the City of Atlantic City has now given Wood until Tuesday, May 3, 2022 to vacate his present Garder’s Basin location.

We have also learned that a number of influential people have been reaching out to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in an attempt to save Fish Heads from ruination.