Soon-To-Be Laid Off Casino Workers Demand Action From Christie Administration
By David Madden
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (CBS) — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie brought his town hall meeting on pension reform to the Ocean City boardwalk. But talk quickly turned to the Atlantic City casinos and the several thousand people set to lose their jobs as three facilities close in the next month and a half.
About a dozen soon-to-be former Showboat workers demanded action from the administration.
Rose Ann Joyce wants the Casino Control Commission to order a stop to the closings -- something she insists the Governor can do.
"All he has to do is give the green light for a four month extension and that's what he should do," Joyce said.
But Christie responds he can't order a private business to stay open, as much as he'd like to.
"The only way we're going to fix this is for all of us to get around a table and come up with solutions. We can't wave a magic wand," Christie said.
A summit with all affected players is set for September 8, too late for the Showboat, although Christie says they're doing all they can for those affected by the shutdown there, as well as Trump Plaza and Revel.
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