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It was 1997. I received a phone call from Allie
McGaheran, the Mayor of Clinton. She wanted to know if
I would like to go with her to an NJCM Board of
Directors Dinner meeting. She would pay. I asked why.
She said that even though I was a new Mayor, I was
involved in a lot of things and should be interested
in getting active in NJCM. Sounded good, Allie was
paying and I would meet some leading Mayors, I said
sure.
That was an eventful night. I met a number of Mayors
who are still my friends. Pete Maclearie took me under
his wing, ordered me a refreshment and introduced me
to everyone and told me that this was the start of a
good time for me, that I would learn a lot and get
involved. We all sat around an oval table and
discussed the current-day items. The major discussion
was should we set standards for how much Mayors get
paid to perform weddings! Talk about back to the
future!
Well, that was about 10 years ago. I met with Don,
LeRoy and the officers and joined the Board. I went to
my first conference and got involved. It has been an
eventful ride since then. I worked on the board, got
elected as a VP on the Executive Committee and became
President.
Over the years, we learned that NJCM was a valuable
resource to my town and to my office. The information
and advice I was able to get was priceless. I was able
to meet and work with people in different
administrations including Governors. This was a big
step for a Mayor from a small town of about 1500
people. It has meant a lot to me to be on a first name
basis with the last 6 Governors. I appreciate what
NJCM has done for me and for Frenchtown.
Mayors become Mayors because they deeply care about
where they live. They want to improve their towns and
the lives of their residents. They want to do things
that will make a difference.
When I first became involved on the NJCM board, I
listened a lot and only participated when I could gain
something for my town. I soon realized that having
that kind of attitude didn’t work. What worked was
becoming part of the process. None of us had all of
the answers and many were bringing up issues to try to
get solutions for themselves. It was a shared learning
and growing experience.
I
have watched our organization change and grow. We used
to discuss the issues at our annual conference and
provide information. We did a few social events. We
were a place for the Mayors to meet and the board
talked about new ideas.
About 5 years ago we began more change. The Executive
Committee decided to become more active statewide. We
also became more active with the USCM. We started
actively lobbying at the State House. We decided to
more actively use our collective voice and experience
as Mayors. We have Governors, Cabinet members,
Legislative leadership at our events. Our change
continues.
We also decided that since we all work so hard as
Mayors, we should also be able to have some fun
together. We changed our format at the conference to
have a casual, fun, interactive Beach Party at our
Friday night awards ceremony. Mayors and friends get
to interact with our entertainment, to do something
special. Some of us more than others.
We worked to get more Mayors involved and we have done
so. The old adage is “Once a Mayor, Always a Mayor”.
This year we decided that the large, active knowledge
base and volunteer base, our Mayors Emeritus group
deserved a voting seat on our Executive Board. Why it
took us so long to do the obvious escapes me. We
continue to redefine what a Mayor can be and what they
can accomplish.
We attend the Winter and Summer meetings of the USCM.
This is an unbelievable opportunity for us to meet and
learn from Mayors all over the country and create
friendships. Our
New Jersey
contingent was the 3rd largest this June in
LA. From Anchorage to Miami; Portland (Maine & Oregon)
to Santa Fe; Honolulu to Lambertville, we have forged
relationships with other Mayors. It has been an
amazing time for me. We have met some very interesting
Mayors including Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas, as
he hosted the June 06 meeting. We have met and had
one-on-one discussions with the majority of the
Presidential candidates. Brian Wahler has the photos
to prove it. We have been introduced by Robin Leech in
Las Vegas and walked the red carpet in Hollywood. We
have chatted with the Mayor of Beijing, China. There
are a hundred other things I have been able to do or
experience. These are the memories of a lifetime.
Our past president, Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, is now
the President of USCM. This is a major honor for all
of us. He is making us proud. New Jersey is a small
state that is having a big influence.
Now it is up to all of you to join and direct our
future. We are going to get a lot done. Join us and
help our Board of Directors to determine direction.
Our executive committee format helps prepare our
leadership. Angelo Corradino is a great President and
leader who will be followed by more great Presidents.
Come learn with us. Come get experience and knowledge.
I
have done it, so can you. We can guarantee that you
will have some fun along the way!
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