Atlantic City Free Public Library

Former Atlantic City Mayor Joseph Lazarow died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the age of 84.

Mr. Lazarow served as the city's mayor from 1976-82. He oversaw the beginning of the casino era in Atlantic City. During his tenure as mayor, gambling was legalized in Atlantic City and the city's first casinos opened. Mr. Lazarow was predeceased by his wife, Fredlyn, in 1993. He is survived by two daughters and two sons.

Information about former Atlantic City Mayor Joseph Lazarow

Personal

• Fought in World War II overseas.
• Graduated from ACHS (1942) and was valedictorian at Rutgers, NYU. Juris doctor at Temple Law School.
• Atlantic City lawyer.
• Wife Fredlyn (Fredee) [-1993]. Children Harriet, Robin, Warren, and Brian.

Political

• Republican.
• Secretary to the speaker of the New Jersey Assembly.
• Ran for city commissioner in 1972 with Mario Floriani.
• Commissioner of Parks and Public Property, 1972-1976.
• Served as 28^th mayor of Atlantic City from 1976 to 1982.

As Mayor

• Oversaw major Atlantic City planning and development, including a new master plan.
• Formed the Committee to Rebuild Atlantic City (CRAC) in 1976.
• Sat on Planning Board as mayor.

Quotes:

"I believe the government shouldn't be a dictatorship. I don't believe in running and buttonholing people and saying, ‘I want you to vote this way on this or that way on that.;"

"When a person is quietly and honestly doing a job and people have no real criticism, the first thing they say is the leader can't make a decision. But I've made plenty of decisions. And when history is in, history will probably record that this is the most effective period of leadership the city has ever had."

Bibliography

Weinberg David. "An Ordinary Joe." New Jersey Monthly (June 1979): 74.

"Candidate Schultz Scores Lazarow." Press of Atlantic City (5 May 1976): 26.

"Press Endorses Five for City Commission." Press of Atlantic City (8 May 1976): 1.

Prendergast, Frank J. "Resort Incumbents Win." Press of Atlantic City (12 May 1976): 1, 22.

"Lazarow: Comeback Possible." Press of Atlantic City (11 August 1983): 3.