But Bagnell said a merger between Ventnor, Atlantic City and Brigantine only had been discussed informally with Atlantic City’s fire chief and deputy chief last summer.

He said he agreed to look into whether it would be feasible and what the possible benefits could be.

“Why do we want to be a part of their problems?” asked Joe Iannuzzelli, Ventnor’s fire union president, calling Atlantic City “a sinking ship.”

“I don’t want to be in the boat with them,” he said.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant currently pays the salaries and benefits of 50 firefighters. But Mayor Don Guardian said Tuesday that the city would not apply for an extension, and instead is moving to contract out emergency services, which would halve the Fire Department’s calls.

That would mean cutting any firefighters paid through the grant when it runs out at the end of the year...Continue Reading

Chief Dennis Brooks is on administrative leave pending the investigation, the mayor’s chief of staff previously confirmed. But the administration would not comment on the nature of the allegations.

On Tuesday, The Press of Atlantic City obtained a letter the city worker’s lawyer sent to the city solicitor detailing the alleged incident. Sebastian Ionno had his office redact the woman’s name to protect her identity.

Brooks did not return numerous calls seeking comment....Continue Reading