In my address to you in April, I said that we would work to give Mayors more access to the process at the State House. We have made progress in that direction. As President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, I have the important responsibility to do what I can to help elevate the concerns and issues of all our state’s Mayors, so that our elected and appointed officials at the state level of government not only hear what we’re saying, but respond to it in a positive manner.

We have met with leadership from both sides of the aisle to personally carry forward this message. We have been received very positively. It is up to you as Mayors to now get involved individually, participating as a unified voice to bring our issues to the front burner.

We must continue the pressure to bring property tax reform into reality. It is the most important issue the State faces. Every Mayor has to get involved, participating as one voice through the Conference. My goal is to get all of you inspired to expend the time and energy to get active in lobbying your legislators. The Governor has made it one of his priorities. We will be testifying at every possible hearing.

One way you can begin or continue the process is to attend the 15^th Annual NJCM Executive Summit on September 16^th.  Our NJCM Executive Summit has become the premier autumn political event in New Jersey, drawing governors, congressional representatives, state legislators, cabinet members, CEOs from major corporations, union and environmental leaders, and of course Mayors from all around the state. 

Governor Corzine has confirmed his participation along with a number of his cabinet members. We expect Legislative leadership to also attend. This is your opportunity to personally tell them the importance of property tax reform. Make sure that they understand, from your unique point of view as Mayor of your town, how property taxes affect your residents. Take the opportunity to give them solutions that you believe will work.

The networking opportunities at the Summit—in what is a truly relaxed and beautiful environment, makes this event a valuable experience for any Mayor and the city or town they serve.  I’ve heard many stories of Mayors getting things done for their towns at the NJCM Summit -- from acquiring grant money to expediting an important permit—all from a casual conversation with the right person at the summit. The 102 inch wide truck ban from local roads was made reality at the Summit a few years ago. It was my conversation as a Mayor with the Speaker and the Senate President over some really good jersey seafood.

This year we will be honoring a number of returned veterans from Iraq and abroad. Brave men and woman who have served us well.  Please join us in a special salute to them.

A number of New Jersey Mayors attended the US Conference of Mayors in June. Our past President, Doug Palmer, became 1^st Vice-President, and next June, he will become President of the US Conference of Mayors. This will be a tremendous honor for him and also for all of us. Doug will be the 3^rd New Jersey Mayor to lead this national organization in 63 years.

We were privileged to spend time at the USCM with Wang Qishan, the Mayor of Beijing, China, who is also President of the China Association of Mayors.  He will be hosting the next Olympics. One of our other benefits was to record PSA’s for local radio broadcast on Breast and Prostate Cancer. We all came back with new ideas and programs to try to implement in our towns.

You as Mayors know you can make a difference! We are trying to give you more opportunity to make that difference in your community and in your state. The NJCM Annual Summit is your chance to be heard, to have a face-to-face with the one person who might be able to help.

 Of course the Executive Summit would not be possible were it not for the support of over two dozen statewide and national corporations participating in the event as our hosts.   On behalf of our entire organization, I’d like to personally thank all of our corporate hosts for helping to make this terrific event a reality.

Again, I want to encourage all Mayors to commit to joining us at the September 16^th NJCM Executive Summit. 

Because the summit has developed a well-deserved reputation as a fun work-day on the river, some forget that there’s important and very valuable business to be conducted at this event on behalf of your community.  We’re providing the venue.  The rest is up to you. 

     We hope to see you at the Summit in September, 

           Ron Sworen, President, NJCM