Celebrating The War at the Shore
Last Monday evening, I went to a book party at the ballroom at the Loews Regency Hotel in Manhattan to celebrate the publication of Richard “Skip” Bronson’s new book, The War at the Shore. Skip and I have been friends for many years and I was very pleased to receive this invitation because the major players in this war were also invited to the party. This book is the story of when Skip was sent to Atlantic City, New Jersey in the late 1990s by gaming magnate Steve Wynn, to turn an undeveloped landfill into a flashy world-class casino and resort. The problem was that, at that time, Atlantic City was ruled by Donald Trump, who didn’t take kindly to these advances. A full-scale battle ensued, involving media and local politicians. Fortunately, the tempers of these parties have cooled and Skip, Wynn, and Trump have become friends. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a camera that night and I took these photos with my Blackberry, which doesn’t have a flash. I apologize for the graininess.
1 Here I am with Donald and Melania Trump, and Jason Binn - the chairman and founder of Niche Media. We all gathered to celebrate the publication of Richard 'Skip' Bronson's, 'The War at the Shore.'
2 In The War at the Shore, Skip Bronson portrays the story of the intrigue, corruption, and drama that gripped Atlantic City in the 1990s. The book tells of mobsters, corrupt politicians, and larger than life characters - Donald Trump and Steve Wynn, in particular.
3 This is Skip Bronson, with whom I have been friends for many years. Skip is now chairman and founder of US Digital Gaming. Skip is married to Edie Baskin, the famed Saturday Night Live photographer.
4 In the late 1990s, Skip was Steve Wynn's point man in Atlantic City as Wynn's Mirage tried to develop an abandoned site, a land-fill, which is now known as the Marina District.
5 This is Steve Wynn, the business magnate who is largely responsible for turning the Las Vegas Strip into what is is today.
6 In the late 1990s, when Steve Wynn wanted to expand to Atlantic City, Donald Trump was the primary casino owner there.
7 Trump wasn't fond of the idea of Wynn moving into his sandbox, so to speak.
8 Apparently, there was bad blood to start with, which served as an accelerant, in what became a very vicious battle that got personal and nasty.
9 Donna Karan, Lynne Silver, Edie Baskin Bronson (wearing red), Skip Bronson, and Andrea Wynn - The new Mirage Resort in Atlantic City would require building a tunnel, connecting it to the Atlantic City Expressway.
10 Donna Karan (in brown) - The major controversy of the tunnel project was that it would cut through a middle-class neighborhood.
11 Skip Bronson and Andrea Wynn - Realizing that Wynn's planned casino would most likely fail without the tunnel, later named the Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector, Trump fought hard and nasty to prevent its construction.
12 Hosts Debbie and Alan Grubman, and Lucy and Joseph Kazickas - In the late 1990s, before extensive use of social media, the battle was played out through the media sources of the day and with plenty of involvement of local politicians.
13 After all was said and done, Wynn's plans for Mirage were cancelled and MGM acquired and developed the site, which is now the Borgata Hotel, Casino, and Spa.
14 Skip Bronson and Alan Grubman - And, in the end, Wynn and Trump set aside their differences and are now friends. According to Skip, 'One of the great qualities Steve and Donald share: when they're in a war they will fight like you've never seen. But when it's over it's over.'
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What can I say? I knew NOTHING about this at the time and still don't, but I can say that you, Martha, looked nice in your white outfit.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 14th, 2012 at 1:06 am
No need to apologize for any pictures such as these when they tell a a story that needs to be made public. How can the 90s be history when they are so recent? Our family has a wonderful story of "almost friends" and thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your very interesting life.
Posted by: ann | June 14th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Ahhh! love to have been a fly on the wall! Sounds like a great read.Thanks!
Posted by: Katescana | June 14th, 2012 at 6:50 am
I will be very interested to read this book. We were living south of Atlantic City when gambling first came to town. Resorts Casino was the first to open. Unfortunately the casinos did nothing for the city itself, still a run down slum along with the glitzy casinos. The boardwalk is like a time warp.
Posted by: Vicki | June 14th, 2012 at 7:07 am
What a fascinating story. I wish Mr. Bronson luck on his book, The War at the Shore. I have never been to Atlantic City, but I have been to Las Vegas and stayed at Mr. Wynn's hotel, The Encore. It's a fabulous place, sophisticated and elegant. Thanks for sharing your evening Martha, your pictures came out fine, and I agree with Gloria you looked very nice.
Posted by: Cindy F | June 14th, 2012 at 7:41 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | June 14th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Hello Martha,
Not sure which Blackberry you are using however the one I am using, Bold 9700 does have a flash. It is an option in the camera that I can turn on or off.
You may want to verify your device to see if this option is available.
Posted by: Josee Thibodeau | June 14th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Hi Martha, Happy Flag Day! Sure hope all is well there in New York, especially at your Bedford farm and at Skylands in Maine if you are still there since yesterday when we got a great tweet again! This is a very interesting, unusual blog today about one of your great friends who wrote a new book with an unusual title-The War at the Store! Richard 'Skip' Bronson sounds like a really nice guy and it would be fun to read that book! How amazing that he was able to win his project for his flashy world-class casino and resort in Atlantic City, NH even with Donald Trump giving him problems! All of those involved look rather happy and friendly in your great photos! My favorite photo is #! with you in it! The website and the video about Skip's book is fun to see! Thanks for sharing this fun blog today! Hope you have another great day and can't wait to see what you will share next for us to enjoy-love it all! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 14th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Hi Martha,
Interesting blog and it looks like the real winner in the end is Richard Bronson with his new book which I think I would enjoy reading. Maybe the casinos are doing better now but I remember much news about bankruptcy filings with some of the Donald’s casinos and how MGM was trying to unload their stake in the Borgata Hotel and Casino. I have always said that if I was ever given one of those word association tests and one of the words was war, my response would be ‘men’. Amen. Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 14th, 2012 at 10:32 am
I'm an urban planning consultant for private developers...so, I HAVE to get this book - LOL! Sounds like a great story. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Love the look of the blog! And, you, Martha, look like a million bucks!
Posted by: Libby | June 14th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I love your signature blue on your site, but this is a welcome change and very easy on the eyes. I think this new format is great!
Posted by: Julie Dunham | June 14th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Martha
I think this is a worthy book to be telling people about. However, how could you pose with Donald Trump? He was awful to you after the Apprentice Show, he trash your name and was just rude. The man is disgusting.
Posted by: David Bondarchuck | June 14th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Hmm, hangin' with T-boy? Enjoyed the pics; but loved the captions! Super cute hair-do, Martha! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: M Joan | June 14th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Fascinating, fun, and I look forward to reading the book.
But, what about Martha's own differences with Donald Trump?
Posted by: Leon Miller | June 14th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
I guess Martha and Donald have buried the hatchet after the "Celebrity Apprentice" contretemps.
Posted by: Victor | June 14th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I've only visited Atlantic City once; i really enjoyed the historic part of the city and the ocean. People used to visit the area for the many health and wellness farms. Here's my blog on gaming. http://wp.me/pDQWN-dq
Posted by: may delory | June 14th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Martha,
You are a fine LADY in the true sense of the word.
Posted by: Dorina | June 20th, 2012 at 2:12 am