The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for the City’s 2016 Street and Alley Improvement Project. The total cost of the projects is estimated at $1.4-million. It will be paid for in-part, through bonds and as a transfer from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) fund. Any surplus funds will be directed to handle change orders, and anything remaining from that point will be moved into the 2017 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund, to reduce future bonding needs and save interest costs.

In other business, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones said persons who ride high speed motorcycles , or “crotch rockets,” as they are commonly called, need to be aware they won’t be getting away with warnings like they did last year, for racing through and around town. Often times last summer, those “bikes,” as Jones referred to them, can be heard all the way across town.

The Mayor said citizens are concerned for about the noise and public safety. He said he’s spoken with Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green and Lt. Dave Erickson, and even to a couple of the speed racers themselves, and is warning those and other such motorcycle enthusiasts, that “There are not going to be a lot of special favors this year,” (such as verbal or written warnings). Jones says “They’re fair game, [for tickets, but] we don’t want them getting hurt in town, on a bike,” either.

Jones also spoke about disparaging comments being made around town, in the paper and elsewhere, about the Atlantic High School, especially in light of the recent sports losses, and in-fighting among School Board members. He said “All I hear is negative stuff…but the last month or month and a-half, the Archery Club did a great job, the Swim Team did a tremendous job again. The basketball team [did well],” and last weekend’s play was well received. Jones said performing in that way inspires confidence and is very good for them.” He added that while other districts are cutting their arts programs, “There’s things that are happening up there at the high school that somebody’s doing something right…a lot of good things are happening up there.”