MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

May 2004

IMPORTANT EVENTS - PAST AND FUTURE
And staff contacts for more information
Also consult the calendar
For Seminar details, contact David Harkness ext. 18.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Scholarship Competition Attend League Domestic Partnership Seminars Annual League/Affiliate Advisory Meeting League Female Mayors Survey Results Heavy Truck Ban Rejected

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Jo-Anne Schubert, Mayor, South Bound Brook

Keeping municipal officials educated and up-to-date on timely and key issues is one of the most important service functions the League provides to its membership. The League seminar program is a year-round service in addition to the important education sessions held during the Annual Conference.

During the year, the League offers more than 30 training programs to help local officials get the information they need to meet the constantly changing issues and challenges for better local governance.

In the next few months, the League is sponsoring many seminars on crucial topics that will impact local officials and government functions. Two seminars on the "Open Public Records Act," in cooperation with the Municipal Clerks Association, will be held in May. Statewide programs on "Registering Domestic Partnerships" are scheduled in May and June. This law will take effect on July 10, 2004 and will impact local registrars and municipal clerks, as well as employer pension and health benefit costs. In addition, the League plans to continue programming to address and resolve the property tax crises.

Plan on attending these timely sessions and be sure to send your professional staff to get the latest information.

Additional seminar information can be found at www.njslom.org/seminars.html or contact Dawn Mirabelli at extension 11.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

LEAGUE AND AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS HOLD ANNUAL MEETTING
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

The League held its Annual Affiliate Advisory/Pre-Conference Planning meeting on April 7, 2004 at the Holiday Inn in Jamesburg, New Jersey. More than 50 Affiliate officers and representatives heard an update from DCA Assistant Commissioner Kim Ricketts on issues of interest to municipal officials and local government. The Affiliate representatives were able to discuss any issue or concern with League staff and the Assistant Commissioner.

The Conference Planning meeting provided the Affiliates with up-to-date information on housing, event services, and shuttle bus information. It provided the opportunity to exchange information on key conference-related topics and events. The meeting helped set the stage for a well-coordinated conference and better working relationship with all 18 Affiliated Associations.

HEAVY TRUCK BAN STRUCK DOWN
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

Federal District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler struck down a New Jersey State imposed ban on inter-state truck traffic on secondary and rural roads on March 24, 2004. The State imposed the restriction at the request of Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio, Chair of the League's Heavy Truck Task Force, in response to a tragic death in his town due to such traffic.

The League has requested the Governor appeal this decision, immediately. The League will seek permission to enter the case as a Friend of the Court when the appeal is filed. The League has been granted permission to participate Amicus Curiae, on the District Court level. For more information, contact the League office.

LEAGUE SEMINAR ON REGISTERING DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS
-Contact www.njslom.org/seminars.html or
Dawn Mirabelli ext. 11

The League will hold three key and timely seminars on registering domestic partnerships in New Jersey on May 18, June 9 and June 15, 2004. The new Domestic Partnership Law will take effect on July 10, 2004 and has implications for the responsibilities of local registrars and municipal clerks. Contact the League for registration information.

FUTURE MUNICIPAL LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
-Contact Michael Darcy ext. 16 or mdarcy@njslom.com

Scholarship Committee Chairwoman Mayor Phyllis Marchand, of Princeton Township has been busy as more than 50 mayors participated in the annual Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. Mayors from across the state made the competition a great success as they submitted excellent entries from high school juniors and seniors.

The top three winners will be determined and announced in early May. A full list of participating mayors is attached and the full text of the three winning essays will appear in the October issue of the League magazine. Participating students will receive a certificate and each winner is provided a $1,000 scholarship from the League for presentation by host mayors.

LEAGUE FEMALE MAYORS SURVEY
-Contact Helen Yeldell ext. 12

The League's second annual survey to determine the number of women who serve as mayors of New Jersey municipalities was completed in the month of March. There are 72 women serving in this capacity. This number represents 12.7 percent of the 566 mayors in the State, a slight increase over last year's number. Women continue to make steady inroads into electoral politics and this topic will be further explored at the Annual Conference in November during the League's session on Women in Government. Contact www.njslom.org/survey_female_mayors.html for a listing of current female mayors.

89TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE HOUSING FORMS COMING
-Contact Dee Kotch ext. 15

Municipal housing forms for the 89th Annual Conference will be mailed to all Municipal Clerks in early June. Non-municipal forms will be available in the June issue of New Jersey Municipalities magazine. Be sure to get your housing requests in early to help ensure your requirements get first consideration. For more information, contact the League office.