Freeholders Unanimously Support Levinson’s Call to Reopen Businesses

The Atlantic County Board of Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution supporting County Executive Dennis Levinson’s request for Gov. Murphy to lift restrictions on indoor dining and entertainment.

According to a press release, six Republican and three Democrat freeholders agreed with Levinson who urged the governor to, "seriously consider and plan with our leaders for a safe and reasonable reopening of our businesses in the immediate future."

Levinson said in the statement, "For the freeholders, this was not a political decision between Democrat Governor Phil Murphy and Republican County Executive Dennis Levinson; it was a choice between what is right and what is wrong, between economic survival and bankruptcy.”

Levinson cited a recent economic statistics that revealed a second quarter annualized loss of 40% in Atlantic County, the highest of any county in New Jersey.

Levinson went on to say, "Our businesses are on life support at this point. Outdoor dining and curbside service are not enough. And if other states, including Connecticut and Massachusetts, and other retailers such as the big box stores can conduct indoor business without any significant health and safety consequences, why can’t we? It just doesn’t make sense."