MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

January 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 Save the Date - List of League Seminars Scholarship Competition Mayors Legislative Day Mayor Pins for New Mayors League Conference a Record Setter

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

As we begin a new year, we mayors face increasingly complex issues in local governance. Elected officials need up-to-date information for better planning, administration, meeting goals and problem solving. Your League provides key educational seminar programming geared specific to local, elected officials.

Three regional seminars will be held on Saturdays for newly and re-elected officials in January and February. The seminar provides newly elected officials with a thorough overview of their major areas of responsibility and key state level contacts, while re-elected officials will get up-to-date reference materials that provide answers to questions.

The Annual Mayors Legislative Day is held the third week of every January. This important policy session provides officials with a budgetary and legislative update from leaders of the State Legislature, the Governor and Cabinet.

Please refer to the next page for a schedule of upcoming League seminars. You can also access these programs at www.njslom.org/seminars.html and find a monthly list under "Datelines" in New Jersey Municipalities magazine.

Please take advantage of this year-round valuable service the League provides to help answer your questions and provide solutions to local issues. Sign up for the above-mentioned seminars, and help get your administration off to a running start. I look forward to meeting you at these key sessions.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ATTEND THE 12th ANNUAL
MAYORS LEGISLATIVE DAY
-Contact David Harkness ext. 18 or www.njslom.com

Be sure to register for the 12th Annual Mayors Legislative Day to be held January 21st at the State House Annex in Trenton. This is a great way to kick off your administration by hearing about the State's legislative agenda from key McGreevey Administration officials and key members of the Senate and Assembly. There will also be the notable Elected Officials Hall of Fame induction.

NEW MAYORS RECEIVE LEAGUE PINS
-Contact Tom Fratticcioli extension 17

Newly elected mayors are mailed unique "Mayor" pins from the League in the coming months. The specially commissioned pins have a gold rim and blue logo with MAYOR imprinted on a white background. These pins identify you as a mayor and supporter of the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Wear the "Mayor" pin with pride.

SAVE THE DATES
-Contact David Harkness extension 18 or www.njslom.com

Save these important dates on your calendar. These League seminars will offer you and your staff valuable information and continuing education credits. Be sure to share this list with all your department heads. As soon as full topics and details are ready they will be mailed and posted on the League web site. For now, Save These Dates!

2004 SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
- Contact Michael Darcy ext. 16

Recently, the League mailed information to all mayors concerning the Louis Bay II Annual Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. Mayor Phyllis Marchand of Princeton Township chairs the Scholarship Competition. This popular competition has been re-named in honor of The Mayor Emeritus of Hawthorne who, after 60 years is still active on the League Executive Board. The scholarship amount has been increased, and now the top three winners each receive $1,000 scholarships from the League.

Mayors play an integral role in the success of this program because your office publicizes its availability, judges the local entries, and distributes the checks and certificates supplied by the League. You should publicize the scholarship to your local schools and judging committee. Your local winning entry must be submitted to the League office by April 1, so we can announce the three statewide winners by May 5.

LEAGUE CONFERENCE SETS RECORDS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

The 88th Annual League Conference set attendance, booth and space records despite a national trend that forecasted declines in paid exhibit space and professional attendance for exhibiting organizations. Over 21,000 delegates registered and attended the conference. Last year's attendance was just over 19,000. In addition, a record 1,143 booths were sold and occupied by various companies from throughout the United States and Canada. Once again, New Jersey's conference proved to be the largest and most well attended municipal conference of all 50 states!

2004 MUNICIPAL DIRECTORY
-Contact Dee Kotch, ext.15

The League's handy 2004 Municipal Directory will be available for purchase by late February/ early March. You can begin to place your orders for this important reference tool in early February. Information forms were sent to all municipal clerks regarding your listing in the directory in late December. The forms should be amended and updated to reflect any changes in your administrative staff for 2004 to ensure an accurate listing. Contact Dee Kotch at the League office with any questions regarding the directory or listing forms.