Atlantic City Approves Funds to End Walkout

Libraries closed and trash went uncollected Monday in this casino resort as a fight between the mayor and the City Council over layoffs came to a head.

But the council reversed itself in a raucous meeting Monday night and approved temporary funding to end the one-day shutdown that Mayor Jim Whelan had ordered.

Hundreds of residents and union members heckled the mayor and council during the meeting.

The council vote approving the $7.4-million expenditure was 9 to 0; last Wednesday the council had deadlocked on the spending. The money is for a May 1 bond payment and city workers’ salaries until a permanent budget is approved.

Monday night’s vote came after Whelan promised to provide more detailed projections on the city’s $126-million budget and discuss ways to save some of the 100 city jobs he has cut. Council members want to add $500,000 to the budget to restore the jobs. The city has 1,700 employees.

Police and fire departments remained on the job Monday and tax, welfare and communications offices remained open. One health clinic also stayed open. But the library was closed and there was no trash collection, municipal court or rides for senior citizens.

Gamblers visiting the city professed little or no knowledge of the partial shutdown of non-essential municipal services. Many said they arrived by bus and by car and rarely venture outside.

“I haven’t noticed anything,” said Joe Mannmey of Downsville, N.Y., as he stood in the lobby of the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. “We walk across the boardwalk a little, but we really don’t see anything else.”