View the rest of Dan Klein's South Jersey Insider Magazine

Two of area's largest Company's let their two top PR people go...

It was a tough month indeed for public relations types inside two major companies in Atlantic City. At the Trump properties, Trump CEO Mark Brown stunned more than a few people by eradicating his public relations department headed by Suze DiPietro. DiPietro did the public relations for all three properties and the move left many, including the New York Times, wondering what was next for the Trump empire here in Atlantic City on the public relations front. The Insider has heard various theories on the departure of DiPietro. They include that it was simply a cost-cutting measure by Brown, who has become more and more bottom-line oriented as his contract approaches renewal, and that Brown had become disenchanted with DiPietro because she often refused to return phone call and shouted at reporters on the telephone.

Whatever the case, her dismissal was the buzz of the town in August... that was until Terry Traczyk Thomas showed up for work at The Press of Atlantic City only to learn that her job had been eliminated. Thomas, the public relations manager for The Press of Atlantic City Media Group, had been with the newspaper for more than 12 years and was the point person for many of the projects The Press did with special events in the community. The elimination sent shock waves throughout the Devins Lane publishing palace. "People are stunned,''' said on Press employee. "Terry had been here for a long time and was well-respected in the community. She basically was the point person for the entire marketing department.'' Thomas has worked underneath Press marketing director Bob Mahwinney. The Press will now go outside for some of its public relations work, hiring the firm of Parker and Partners from Absecon. But this is one job elimination that will have some ramifications for the newspaper in the future. Another Press employee said it was bunch of little things which did in Thomas, little things that eventually added up. Nevertheless Thomas made her mark on the community with the way she handled charity events for The Press. The Insider has learned that the newspaper is ready to embark on a public relations facelift to try and improve its overall image in the community. Stay tuned...

In Ocean City look for a huge planning board fight over the last land parcel left on the bayfront between Second and Third Streets. Developers want to build nine $1 million homes on the vacant lot, the last of its kind on the bay. But the land is zoned as a marina district and the developers will require a zoing variance to build single-family homes. The issue is such a hot one that the Ocean City Planning Board has devoted its entire Sept. 25 meeting to the project. The land sits adjacent to thriving bayfront businesses like jet skis; charter fishing and the Twister sightseeing boat. The issue remains one that is a continued debate in Ocean City; overdevelopment. When the contractors made their initial appeal to the planning board, they threatened to build a motel if they do not get the zonng change. In essence, they were holding a sword over the planning board's head. Some sources tell the Insider that this could be one of the more controversial projects in Ocean City in the last five years. The Ocean City Planning Board has come under criticism for allowing the island to become overcrowded with mulitple dwellings. Mark down that date; Sept. 25.

Park Place Entertainment continues to be the leader in bringing sepcial events into Atlantic City. The latest feather in the PPE cap is the announcement that the Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti fight will be held at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Nov. 23. In May of 2002 the fight between the two won Fight of the Year honors. The best thing about this one is that ticket prices will be affordable with many of the seats selling for $50. The fight will be televised live on HBO at 9:45 p.m...

And Bally's Atlantic City will be featured in a film about boxing being directed by John Leguizamo. Entitled "Infamous," the film was shot at Bally's on Sept. 4-5. Two scenes will be featured: A Bally's boxing press conference in the renovated lobby and a private meeting between the fighter and is agent in a Penthouse Suite on the 49th floor. The film is slated to air in mid-2003 and is about a Puerto Rican fighter's rise to fame and the pitfalls therein.