In our spring magazine we opened our message with thanks to the miracles that returned our good governor to his office in a short period of time. Now here we are just weeks away from the NJCM executive summit that will join Governor Corzine and his administration with mayors, legislators, state officials, and union and environmental leaders under the NJCM big tents on September 8, 2007. Time seems to move faster now than ever before, and maybe that is a signal that many of us aren’t taking the time to decompress and spend a few more hours of quality time with our family and friends. 

One of the primary reasons that we conceived the annual Executive Summit and Jersey Seafood Fest was to reduce partisan levels of activity in the Garden State and provide a relaxing backdrop for New Jersey’s leadership to talk and walk the demanding policy issues that stand before us each and every day. Under that concept, we have ventured each September for 15 years to the banks of the wild & scenic Maurice River environs to do our biddings on behalf of our communities and organizations.  

In 2007, what better way to initiate our exciting new summit location at Viking Village on Long Beach Island than to again unite mayors and New Jersey Leaders as we honor two great NJCM Past Presidents. It gives us great pleasure to announce in this issue that we will present for only the second time since our founding in 1963, the NJCM Distinguished Service Award to Hope Township Mayor Timothy McDonough. We will also present the 2007 Former Mayor of the Year Award to Mayor Emeritus Anthony DeCicco, former mayor of Raritan Borough. Both Tim and Anthony are NJCM past presidents having served in 1998 and 1997 respectively. 

It has always been Mayor DeCicco and Mayor McDonough’s open and unabashed love and commitment to their families, friends, fellow mayors, citizens, and the New Jersey Conference of Mayors that gives me pause to reflect upon my daily actions as a mayor and as an individual.  

And speaking of mayoral leadership, it was an honor and pleasure to attend the 75^th Anniversary meeting this summer of the United States Conference of Mayors under the Presidency of Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer. The conference was held in Los Angeles and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was an incredible host to over 400 mayors from across the USA. From the moment we arrived until our departure, there were meetings and events that included at least 5 presidential candidates including Senators Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, plus Governor Bill Richardson from New Mexico. We also received a visit and address from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and numerous officials from the Bush Administration.  

Mayor Palmer was honored as the 65^th USCM President at a grand reception hosted by Atlantic City Electric, DuPont, New Jersey American Water, Sherwin Williams, and Verizon. It was a special evening as Mayor Palmer enjoyed the presence of numerous USCM past presidents who came to LA to join the celebration.  

In closing, and as many mayors are aware, we at NJCM, like your communities, have been operating with less than full staffing, and as we anticipate future personnel changes, please be advised that we have formed a personnel committee from our executive board to begin the process of reviewing  both our short and long term needs in order to continue our support and devotion to New Jersey’s 566 Mayors. 

So let’s get together and continue to unite under the NJCM big tents on September 8^th at Viking Village at Barnegat Light for a day to work and a day to “try” to relax with friends and fellow mayors. 

See you on Long Beach Island next month,

Angelo Corradino, NJCM President