Council President, 2nd Ward

Elected Term Start Friday, January 01, 2016
Elected Term End Tuesday, December 31, 2019

(609) 347-5231 msmall@cityofatlanticcity.org

Biography

Marty Small was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 25, 1974 to the late Ms. Annette Ann Small. Marty is a lifelong resident of Atlantic City, where he was educated in the Atlantic City Public School System; a pre school graduate of Holy Spirit Head Start, an elementary school graduate of New Jersey Avenue School, a middle school graduate of Central Junior High School, and a High School Graduate of Atlantic City High School (1993).

During his youth Marty was active in various activities. He was a member of Hamilton Memorial United Methodist Church, Atlantic City PAL, and The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Marty was a talented young child who sang in the church choir and played the Trumpet and the Drums. However, Marty’s true love was and is for sports. He is an avid Philadelphia Eagles, Sixers, Flyers, and Phillies Fan, where he is a season ticket holder for the Eagles. Marty’s first sports love was baseball where he led the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to three Little League World Series appearances in four years, winning two.

Marty was a three sport athlete his freshman year at Atlantic City High School, playing football, basketball, and baseball. Ultimately, he decided to pursue basketball where he excelled. He was on the best Atlantic City High School Viking team in school history with a 29-1 record his junior year, followed by a 27-1 record his senior campaign. He became bored after Basketball season and decided to play baseball again, leading Atlantic City High School to the Atlantic County Championship. He pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts in a 4-2 win over Hammonton, who was ranked #5 in South Jersey. Marty was heavily recruited by the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey as a basketball player.

In the summer of 1993 Marty enrolled in the EOF Program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. During Marty’s career at Stockton, off the basketball court, he was a Communications Major, who produced the official Stockton Video, which was shown to High School students interested in the college. Marty was a member of UBSS, (Unified Black Students Society) and a captain of the Men’s Basketball Team. On the basketball court Marty excelled. During his four year career, his teams had a combined record of 87-28, winning consecutive N.J.A.C. titles in ’95-’96, (New Jersey Athletic Conference) and participated in the NCAA Division III Tournament in three years going to one “Elite Eight” and two “Sweet 16” and one E.C.A.C. Final (Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference). As an individual Marty, had an outstanding career as a two-time all N.J.A.C., two-time all E.C.A.C., and two-time all Atlantic Region, and a Street & Smith Honorable Mention All American. Marty finished his career with 1,238 points and is the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s All Time Leading Rebounder. Marty bled Stockton, as he was always willing to show recruits around the campus. He even raised over $5,000.00 for their Trip for a Basketball Christmas Tournament his senior year in Los Angeles, California.

Marty Graduated from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in May 1998, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. Six days later Marty was signed to a professional basketball contract with the Atlantic City Seagulls (United States Basketball League). The Seagulls went on to win the United States Basketball League Championship that season, and Marty received a Championship ring that he proudly wears today. Afterwards, Marty pursued a career to put his college degree to use. In September of 1998 Marty was hired as a Social Caseworker for the City of Atlantic City in the Welfare Department. Marty wanted to become active in the community and the easiest way was giving back through basketball, which Marty says, “Basketball was his vehicle to success.” In December of 1998 he started the Elwood Roberts Midnight Basketball League of Atlantic City, in honor of the late great Elwood Roberts. The League targeted at risk adults and provided a competitive structured recreational environment in the late night hours, a league that he facilitated for 8 years. In March of 1999 he received a promotion as the Safe Haven Program Coordinator, where he facilitated Youth and Senior Citizens programs. This program was a pilot program in conjunction with the New Jersey State Department of Law and Public Safety, The Atlantic City Police Department, and The Health and Human Services Department of the City of Atlantic City.

In January of 2000 Marty accepted a position with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City as Youth Program Manager. Marty viewed this as a homecoming of sort, because he spent his entire childhood as a member of the Boys & Girls Club from age 6-19. Marty had received two promotions while on staff at the Boys & Girls Club, as Director of Health, Life Skills, and Recreation and Unit Director, before resigning in June 2004. In April 2001 former Atlantic City Mayor and current New Jersey State Senator James Whelan appointed Marty to The Atlantic City Free Public Library Board of Trustees. In April 2002 Marty was a candidate in the Atlantic City Board of Education Election. Marty ran under the Slogan, “Think Big and Vote Marty Small” and the voters thought Big as Marty was the leading vote getter of the seven candidates. At the Reorganization Meeting the Board unanimously voted Marty as Vice President, a post he held for his entire term.

Always looking for new Challenges, In June 2003, Marty became a candidate for 2nd Ward City Councilman for the City of Atlantic City, in the June 2003 Democratic Primary. Running under the slogan, “Big Plans Come with a Small Vote” the voters believed those big plans, as Marty defeated Incumbent 2nd Ward City Councilman Robert Johnson. In November 2003 Marty Defeated Green party member Marlene Denbin in the General Election to become 2nd Ward Councilman Elect. On January 1, 2004 at age 29 Marty was sworn in as the Youngest Councilman in the history of the City of Atlantic City. In addition to being a City Councilman, in September 2004 Marty was hired by the Atlantic City Board of Education as the Coordinator of Elementary Extra Curricular Activities.
Additional Details

Marty has received various Community Service awards for his work in the community. In 2001 he received the AtlantiCare Outstanding Leadership Award for the Greater Atlantic City Area.

In 2002 he received The African American Male Conference Community Service Award. In 2003 he received the IRC Council of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s Vera King Farris Award for Outstanding work in the community. In April of 2004 he received the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Appreciation Award for his commitment to the community and Growth and Development of Youth. In November of 2004 he received the Council of Black Faculty and Staff of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Distinguished Alumni Award.

Marty decided to expand his knowledge and educational growth by enrolling in the Master’s Program at Cheyney University. Marty currently has a 3.897 GPA and has 15 credits before completing his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. This degree will give Marty a plethora of options to boost his professional career. Marty’s plans include being Atlantic City High School’s Athletic Director after his political career. Marty always tells the children and anyone who would listen that “He is not a career politician; He is a politician with a career.”

The year 2007 was a big year for Marty Small, personally and politically. On Saturday, April 7, 2007, at an elaborate wedding and reception at The Trump Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino, Marty married his long time girlfriend, La’Quetta Frazier. The newlyweds honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii, 11 days and 10 nights. Dr. La’Quetta Small is currently the Vice Principal at The Uptown School Complex in Atlantic City. Dr. Small has two undergraduate degrees from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, one in Public Health and the other in Education. Dr. Small has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Kean University and earned her Doctorate Degree from Rowan University in Educational Leadership in May of 2010.

Marty also sought re-election in 2007, running under the slogan of “Stand Tall, Vote Small,” where he defeated opponent Toni Dixon, 85%-15% in the June Democratic Primary. Three days after a successful primary win, Small flew to Chicago to meet then Senator and now President Of The United States Barack Obama to attend Obama University. Obama University was an intimate gathering of 100 people from the country to gain in depth knowledge of the Obama Campaign, Small was one of two New Jersey residents to attend. The General Election featured a rematch of the 2003 Democrat Primary election. “Small vs. Johnson II”, the voters of the 2nd Ward Continued to “Stand Tall and Vote Small,” Small Defeated Independent Candidate Robert Johnson 80%-20% to retain his seat on City Council representing the 2nd Ward. Small was sworn in on January 1, 2008 to begin his 2nd 4-year term on City Council.

The next day was the biggest in Marty’s life to this point. On January 2, 2008, La’Quetta gave birth to their 1st Child, Jada Small in AtlantiCare Medical Center Mainland Division. Jada was born 7lbs 2 ounces, and 20 inches long. In 2009, Marty unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Atlantic City, However, his future remains brighter than ever. On March 8, 2010, La’Quetta gave birth to their 2nd Child, Marty Small, Jr. who was 7lbs 9 ounces, and 21 inches long. The Small family are members of Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City. Marty also assists as a consultant with area non profit youth organizations such as Exclusive Drill Team, Play To Win 365 and A.C. Youth Exposure.

On June 7, 2011, Marty successfully won the Atlantic City 2nd Ward Democratic Primary. Under the slogan “Vote Marty Small For All.” Marty cruised to victory over his opponent Ali Cottrell by receiving 75% of the vote. On November 8, 2011, Marty ran unopposed in the General Election, securing a 3rd term on City Council. On January 1, 2012 Marty was sworn in for his 3rd term as 2nd Ward Councilman for the City of Atlantic City.

Marty’s Daughter Jada is now 4 and Marty Jr. will be 2 on March 8, 2012. Marty is a proud uncle of three, nieces Christiyani, Jariah and nephew, Jaylen. Marty has a younger sister, Shawntel Small. He shares a special relationship with his Aunt Gloria Small, who helped raise him. He credits his success to his late mother Annette Small and his late Great Aunt Lucille Curley.