Politics & Government

SJEDD Requests Atlantic County's Return to the District

The county split with the district six months ago following problems concerning misappropriations of funds.

Six months after Atlantic County left the South Jersey Economic Development District (SJEDD), it was asked to rejoin at the Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting Tuesday afternoon, July 17.

Interim Executive Director of the South Jersey Economic Development District Stephen O’Connor appeared before the freeholders on Tuesday, one day after he met with representatives from Cape May, Salem and Cumberland counties, who also comprised the district. O’Connor distributed the district’s corrective action plan less than 24 hours after he admitted he expected the other counties to vote to dissolve the district.

“I believe all the problems have been identified, and I’m here to assure you all the problems have been eradicated,” O’Connor told the freeholders. “ … The district needs Atlantic County.”

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The SJEDD was established in 1979 to promote economic development in the four counties, according to its website.  Atlantic County left the district six months ago due to the district’s “problems concerning misappropriation of funds,” according to O’Connor.

“Atlantic County can’t escape its economic responsibilities because it was sitting at the table when the decisions were made,” O’Connor said. “Just because you separated yourself from the district, don’t think you’re separating yourself from the debt.

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“The counties have to clean up the mess anyway, so why not rejoin the district?”

O’Connor didn’t expect a response on Tuesday, and he didn’t get one, as any decision would have to go through Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, who was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

“No one knew where the district was going and I just wanted to come here to distribute the plan,” O’Connor said. “The other counties in the district were enthusiastic. I’ll come back next time with a couple of freeholders (from the other counties).”

The Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders next meets on July 31 at the Stillwater Building, 201 South Shore Road in Northfield.


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