Polistina Supports Civil Service Protection Restoration In Atlant

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Polistina is bluntly criticizing current Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo for supporting the lengthy state takeover of Atlantic City.

Polistina said that “it is gutting the protections of Atlantic City police, fire and other public workers.”

Polistina is the formally endorsed Atlantic County Republican Party candidate for the New Jersey Senate in District 2.

Polistina yesterday announced his support for the restoration of full civil service protections in Atlantic City.

In criticizing Mazzeo, Polistina pointed to comments in a POLITICO story from April 12, 2021, where Mazzeo praised the takeover and Mazzeo has welcomed a 4-5 year extension of the state takeover, without conditions.

The state has had broad authority over Atlantic City since the former Governor Chris Christie Administration.

The state provides transitional aid other support for city purpose and public school operations. In exchange, the state possesses absolute control of every aspect of the local government.

Polistina said the takeover has been particularly harmful to the morale of public safety professionals in the city. Polistina pointed to a recent comment made by former Assemblyman Tom Foley (on “Hurley in the Morning”) where Foley stated he would reinstate civil service and collective bargaining rights to all public employees.

Former Atlantic City Mayor, and current Assembly candidate Don Guardian echoed the importance of civil service: “Since 1908, we developed civil service so municipal workers were appointed or promoted based on merit, rather than political favoritism or nepotism.”

Polistina highlighted a former Republican Mayor of Atlantic City (Don Guardian, his current running mate) and former Democratic Assemblyman (Tom Foley) to further illuminate his point.

“I agree with Mayor Guardian and Assemblyman Foley that one of the top priorities in Atlantic City is restoring the rights of the public employees - and we should do that without delay,” Polistina said. “There is broad, bipartisan agreement that restoring these workers’ rights – that were stripped from them in 2016 – will do nothing to impede progress towards the city become self-sufficient and sustaining once again soon,” said Polistina.

SOURCE: Vince Polistina press release of April 22, 2021.