Imagine If Don Guardian Was The Mayor Of Atlantic City, N.J.?

HARRY HURLEY OPINION EDITORIAL

In life and in electoral politics … Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

There is such a lack of civility and professionalism presently exhibited by the present Mayor of Atlantic City that it got us thinking … What if Don Guardian was the current Mayor of Atlantic City? How would things be different?

First, we know that Guardian is now a New Jersey Assemblyman and he’s been both successful and appears to be happy in this important state role.

Guardian is presently running for re-election with Claire Swift for a second term in the New Jersey General Assembly.

The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

There is not an election for Atlantic City Mayor for two years, however ….

Question: Would it be better for Guardian to be 1 of 80 (in the New Jersey Assembly) or would it be better for him to be 1 of 1 (Mayor of Atlantic City)?

Can you make a bigger difference for your hometown as mayor or working in Trenton as a state legislator?

These are all good questions and they are certainly open to varying opinions.

Hypothetically, how would Atlantic City be different if Guardian was still the Atlantic City Mayor?

For example, I remember May, 2015. Guardian was Mayor and Pacific Avenue was in perfect, newly paved condition. Guardian christened it by riding a skateboard and took a super smooth ride just prior to it being reopened for the public.

We traveled Pacific and Atlantic Avenues recently and the road conditions are abominable.

Guardian always demonstrated a proper attention to every detail of city operations.

The first area that Atlantic City would be different under Guardian … is that he would competently layout a regular road maintenance schedule and he would stay on top of it.

The roads would not have gaping potholes that closely resemble the surface of the moon.

Atlantic City is presently not clean. This is an area that Guardian truly excelled. He would regularly ride early in the morning with the public works staff.

Guardian would often appear on-air in the early 6:00 a.m. to report on road conditions during inclement weather and during street and neighborhood cleaning activities.

Guardian also inspired confidence with potential investors, who were l interested in developing in Atlantic City.

Guardian’s polished, highly professional demeanor was perfect to present Atlantic City in the best possible light.

Guardian’s approach to leading the executive branch in Atlantic City was always to project Atlantic City in the best way.

Guardian was effective as the director of public safety. He earned the respect of the rank and file, along with the superior officers in both the police and fire departments.

Guardian also refrained from turning the taxpayers City Hall into a personal, friends and family employment agency.

Guardian possesses a fine appreciation for Atlantic City’s past, present and future.

We believe that Guardian is an effective member of the New Jersey General Assembly.

At the same time, we believe that Guardian’s best destiny is as Mayor of Atlantic City.

There is a growing groundswell in Atlantic City for Don Guardian to consider returning as Mayor.

Guardian was a perfect fit and match that is sorely missing at this time in Atlantic City.