FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Timothy McDonough, Mayor, Hope

 We feel that it is vitally important for all elected and appointed officials to be aware of the ethics landscape especially given national, state and local developments.  The Annual League Conference offers you an excellent value in keeping your staff well informed.  This year the conference offers hundreds of hours of CEU’s for your certified staff and education for all municipal officials in the area of ethics.  There are at least four educational sessions involving ethics on Wednesday and Thursday of the conference week and our Affiliated Associations are providing additional training specific to their professional needs.  For more, visit the Ethics Resource Center.
     When you consider all the valuable certification credits and information available for just $45, it is clear that this is the best most cost effective method for you to keep your staff trained.  And please take a moment to review the lower hotel rates.  The combination of low registration fee and low housing rates make the decision to send your staff easy!
      And please remember to register you staff early in August to take advantage of the reduced $45 rate.  The rate goes up to $55 October 1, so be sure to get everyone registered as early as possible.
     This month you will notice a change in League Staff.  Senior Legislative Analyst Helen Yeldell is retiring after 20 years of service to mayors across the state.  Lori Buckelew will be coming on staff as a legislative analyst.  Lori has years of experience both at DCA and as a registered municipal clerk and certified registrar.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVOCATE
HELEN YELDELL RETIRES
-Contact Bill Dressel BDressel@njslom.com

League Senior Legislative Analyst Helen Yeldell will retire August 14, after 20 years of service as an advocate for local government.  Her career on behalf of New Jersey municipalities has effectively built bridges between state and local government while educating Trenton on the local impact of State initiatives.  As a guardian of local government, mayors and legislators across the state will miss Helen’s insight and counsel.

GOVERNOR'S ENVIRONMENTAL
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Contact Dean Anderson (609) 777-1949
or via email  at dean.anderson@dep.state.nj.ushttp://www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards

This awards program was established by the Department of Environmental Protection 10 years ago to recognize individuals, municipalities, businesses and institutions for outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state.  Over the past decade more than 85 winners have received recognition for their contributions to environmental protection in New Jersey including the municipalities of Highland Park, Cherry Hill Township, Stafford Township, City of Trenton and Chesterfield Township.

New this year is the Sustainable & Healthy Communities award category developed to recognize, among other things, activities that support the creation of sustainable communities
The deadline for application submittal is September 18, 2009. 

AUGUST 1 PRE-REGISTER FOR THE
ANNUAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE

Check with your municipal clerk or go on-line to NJSLOM.org and click the link for the Annual Conference.  Pre-register and save $10 off the regular registration fee

CONSTITUTION DAY SEPTEMBER 17
-Contact ConstitutionCenter.org

The League of Municipalities Educational Foundation has published the first paper in the new "Friends of Local Government" series.    These policy oriented papers will offer the perspectives of experts from outside municipal government, applying their expertise to issues confronted by local leaders

48th RUTGERS MUNICIPAL PUBLIC
INFORMATION CONTEST APPLICATION
Contact Stuart Meck StuMeck@rci.Rutgers.edu

The efforts of municipalities to increase the public’s awareness of government operations, strengthen community ties, and provide useful information and services to citizens deserve to be highlighted. The purpose of this contest is to promote the use of successful and innovative techniques that increase government’s ability to meet citizen needs and improve access to government services. 
The deadline for submissions in September 11.

COAH REGIONAL BRIEFINGS
-Contact Mike Cerra MCerra@NJSLOM.com

The League has scheduled two additional regional COAH briefings to update our membership on the status of the COAH 3rd round litigation and provide answers to our members regarding the COAH regulations and the preparation and implementation of plans.
     Registration is required to attend the August 4 at the Eatontown Municipal Building.
     Additional briefings will be scheduled later this summer and the in the fall.

MONTCLAIR FINALIST LOCATION
FOR POETRY FESTIVAL
-Contact 973-509-4900

Montclair is one of four finalists in the bid to host the 2010 Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.  The festival attracts as many as 20,000 people over 4 days and was going to be cancelled, until several municipalities and facilities expressed willingness to partner with Dodge to host the event.  The final decision on a location is expected in early September.

NJLM FOUNDATION PROGRAM ON
NEW JERSEY ECONOMY
http:www.njlmef.org/conference-100209.html

This October 2 program, sponsored by the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation will examine the economic downturn from the national, New York regional and New Jersey perspectives and explore its statewide and local fiscal impacts and see how we do business going forward.  Visit the Foundation web site for full information.

New Jersey’s Economy:  Status of Gloom and Prospects for Bloom
October 2, 2009
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Special Events Forum - Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This half-day program, sponsored by the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation will examine the downturn from the National, New York regional and New Jersey perspectives and explore its statewide and local fiscal impacts and see how we do business going forward.

The focus audience is Mayors and elected officials at all levels of government and corporate/business leaders interested in hearing the latest on the state of the economy.

Cost is $35.00 per registrant
AGENDA
8:30 a.m. – Registration, coffee, tea, and light refreshments
9:00 a.m. - Welcome:  Louise Wilson, President, NJLM Educational Foundation,
                 Mayor, Montgomery Township, League 2nd Vice President
9:15 – 10:45 a.m. - Part I – Current Economic Condition
Moderator:     Dr. James W. Hughes, Dean, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning  and Public Policy

Question and Answer:
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.    - Part II – Economic Outlook
Moderator:     Dr. Henry Coleman, Professor of Public Policy, Edward J. Bloustein
                                                  School of Planning and Public Policy
Speakers:  David J. Rosen, Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, New Jersey Office of Legislative Services (Invited)
Federal Reserve Bank Representative (Invited) - Local Finance Section (TBA)
John McCormac, Mayor, Woodbridge, Former New Jersey State Treasurer
David Rousseau, New Jersey State Treasurer (Invited)

1:00 Adjournment – Lunch on your own at nearby restaurants
For more information:  www.njlmef.org or contact Suzanne Delany
at (609) 695-3481, ext. 111

Click for for Registration and Directions

MICHAEL A. PANE MEMORIAL AWARD

              Nominations Requested by September 30, 2009
For the 7th Annual Award to be presented at the
94th Annual Conference of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities
November 17-20, 2009

The award is to honor a local government professional (attorney, engineer, planner) who personifies outstanding ability, integrity, and ethics in his or her dealings with local governments. 

NOMINATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE A SHORT BIOGRAPHY AND A LETTER EXPLAINING YOUR REASONS FOR NOMINATING THE INDIVIDUAL.  YOU CAN FAX OR MAIL YOUR NOMINATION TO:

Gayle A. Krygier
N.J. State League of Municipalities
222 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
Fax:  (609) 695-5156

After receiving the award, the honoree will provide an essay of 500 words or less on the subject of ethics in government.  This essay will be published.  Upon receipt of the essay the honorarium will be issued.

The Michael A. Pane Memorial Fund was established to promote ethical behavior in local government.

For additional information call Frances Pane at (609) 977-8405