ATLANTIC CITY – Multiple mayors of this beat-up gambling mecca left City Hall either under a cloud of

corruption or in actual handcuffs, the bar for chicanery and political malpractice going even as low as one local leader embezzling money from the children here, but Mayor Marty Small – without pointing fingers or dwelling on the past frazzled and doomed pub crawls of his hometown – insists on a new era in Atlantic City.

Tonight, with First Lady Dr. La’Quetta Small and their children by his side, and legendary chanteuse Mary J. Blige on the premises here at Harrah’s Resort and Casino, the mayor hosted his “Together We Rise” Inaugural Gala, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Greater Atlantic City Youth Association, which will provide funds to numerous youth organizations in the city.

“I’m not here to talk about the past mayor,” Small told InsiderNJ as he headed into the party amid a crowd of insiders. “I’m over that situation. He was a friend before politics and he is a friend now. I’m only focused on what we’re doing for the City of Atlantic City. …This gala is the largest mayoral gala in the history of Atlantic City by attendees and monies raised. That’s big. I could have been selfish and raised all the money in the world for future campaigns, but I want to make a statement and to offer resources to the children.”

Small said he knows all about the importance of those programs.

If anyone knows, in fact, it’s Small.

“I come from humble beginnings,” said the mayor, a former basketball star at Stockton University. “Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and POW helped mold me into who I am today. I don’t forget where I come from.”

In April, Mayor Small, who won a four-year term as Mayor of Atlantic City in November 2021, announced an initial fundraising goal of $500,000 for his inaugural gala.  “We had a goal of $500K, and we knocked that out of the park,” said the mayor.

Tonight, he took aim at exceeding the target.

Small’s star-studded party included a red carpet entrance featuring celebrities, VIPs and local dignitaries, and an official after party with nine-time Grammy-winning artist Blige as special guest host. Entertainment included a live band performance by Darchele Todd & Ascension Music Co., along with music by DJ Doc B of Philadelphia’s Power 99 FM, “The Prince of New York” DJ Self (Power 105.1 FM) and “The Handz That Rockz the Tables” DJ Marty Geez. Attendees glimpsed on the red carpet included Matt Doherty, former Executive Director of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and former Mayor of Belmar (left); Morris County Democratic Committee Vice Chairman Mike Delameter, former director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Murphy Administration (above).

It was Small’s night.

He was very upbeat and beamed proudly in a red, pater familias-authoritative tux that matched the attire of his entire family.

The mayor came to power after the meltdown of his predecessor, and subsequently weathered numerous elections in a cramped period of time, including a recall election to yank Atlantic City’s existing elected officials, which Small helped defat.

In November, he won his first full, four-year term.

“The people have chosen me in seven elections in two years with over 70% in every election,” he said. “We’re doing things people haven’t done in the great city of Atlantic City and, again, we’re just getting started.”