Governor Murphy Will Not Oppose End To Atlantic City Needle Excha

IN A BREAKING NEWS REPORT, WE HAVE CONFIRMED (FROM ATLANTIC CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT GEORGE TIBBITT) THAT NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WILL NOT OPPOSE ATLANTIC CITY’S DECISION TO END THE CLEAN NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

Governor Murphy is not happy with the decision, but, he will not attempt to stop Atlantic City … because he has concluded that the state does not have the legal standing to do so.

Atlantic City Council President George Tibbitt pledges on “Hurley in the Morning” to work with the state of New Jersey regarding a number of social ills currently affecting Atlantic City.

We have conducted four in depth, on-air interviews with Atlantic City Council President regarding the clean needle exchange program debate in Atlantic City.

We spoke publicly with Tibbitt when he originally proposed the idea.

We interviewed him again at the time of the Atlantic City Council first reading of the legislation to abolish the practice.

We interviewed Tibbitt yet again at the final adoption/public hearing phase.

And, yesterday we interviewed Tibbitt following City Council’s 7-2 vote to end the needle exchange program in Atlantic City.

To Tibbitt’s credit, he has been unapologetically blunt and totally transparent in terms of communicating his rationale with the public.

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Additionally, little reported is the fact that before introducing the legislation to end the practice, Tibbitt offered all of the other 22 municipalities in Atlantic County to participate in a mobile needle exchange program.

Each city or township would be responsible to handle the needle exchange mobile vehicle for approximately one day per-month.

At no cost to the municipalities.

Tibbitt did not receive a single taker.

Beyond the singular important issue of the needle exchange program, Tibbitt and his colleagues are working with Governor Murphy and the state of New Jersey to work on other social issues that are plaguing Atlantic City.

For instance, for many years, municipalities from around the state regularly send people to Atlantic City with one way bus tickets.

They know that Atlantic City, through the expert administration by The County of Atlantic … provides the most competent and comprehensive social benefits anywhere in the state.

Atlantic City pays a heavy price for this, with homeless people, the addicted and others living very openly and visibly in the city.

Tibbitt anticipates significant progress will be made during the next 60 days, as the city phases out the needle exchange program.

To his credit, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small stepped-up big regarding the abolition of the needle exchange program.
While Tibbitt and his fellow Council colleagues were being interviewed outside Atlantic City Hall, following their vote … Small opened his office window … peeked out and said to his legislative colleagues, “stay strong on this issue … I’ve got your back,” said Small.

We’ll keep you posted of all developments here and on WPG Talk Radio 95.5