MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

February 2005

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 Mayor Pins for New Mayors League Celebrates 90th Year of Service 2005 Municipal Directory

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Peter Cantu, Mayor, Plainsboro

The League recently conducted its 6th Annual Mayors' Legislative Priorities Survey. More than 200 mayors responded to surveys through the mail and at the Mayors' Information Center at the League Conference in Atlantic City. The survey asked the mayors their opinions on a number of policy issues currently impacting local government. The responses of the survey will help guide League policy and efforts in 2005. Here are some important survey results.

The majority of mayors surveyed (91%) agreed on the need for a special constitutional convention with the limited purpose of addressing property tax reform. Mayors called for increased funding for Homeland Security, and 97% agreed the Federal funding formula for New Jersey is inadequate and needs to be changed to recognize certain facts about our state. With regard to municipal and school budgets, 77% of mayors said both budgets should be treated equally for spending cap purposes. Most mayors (81%) saw the new budget cap law limitations as an arbitrary hindrance on their ability to address local priorities and plan against future contingencies. Several mayors specified the cap imposed on municipalities should automatically apply to State government. The majority of mayors (96%) supported dual office holding.

Complete survey results can be found on the League's web site at www.njslom.org. Questions about the survey should be directed to Helen Yeldell at (609) 695-3481 extension 12. The League would like to thank the 235 mayors who took time to fill out this important survey.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ELECTED OFFICIALS INDUCTED IN LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

The League inducted 31 new members into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame during the Thirteenth Annual Mayors Legislative Day January 26, 2005 at the State House Annex in Trenton. This honor is reserved for those governing body members, active and retired, who have served 20 years in elected municipal office. There are currently 293 inductees in the Elected Officials Hall of Fame. Congratulations to our most recent members! Please see the enclosed 2004 Elected Officials Hall of Fame inductee list for more information. The full list is on-line at www.njslom.org.

LEAGUE JOINS NEW JERSEY SAFE CHILD CONSORTIUM PARTNERSHIP
-Contact Department Of Human Services (609) 984-0678

Department of Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy has announced the formation of the Safe Child Consortium of New Jersey. The organization is a growing group of individuals and leaders from the corporate, business, foundation, labor and municipal communities, including the New Jersey League of Municipalities, who are partnering with DHS and the Office of Children's Services to promote community collaborative and support programs that prevent child abuse and neglect.

The reform plan calls for the development of a consortium of at least five corporate and foundation leaders to identify and promote steps businesses and foundations can take to help the Department of Human Services prevent child abuse and neglect. So far, representatives from more than 20 corporations, foundations and organizations have joined together as a working group, chaired by New Jersey Resources Chairman and CEO Laurence M. Downes.

Davy also announced the formation of The Safe Child Fund. The Safe Child Fund of NJ will be managed by the Princeton Area Community Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to Safe Child Fund/PACF and mailed to the Princeton Area Community Foundation, 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; call 609-219-1800 or visit www.pacf.org.

For more information about the Safe Child Consortium, contact Candace Mueller, Department of Human Services at (609) 984-0678.

MAYOR GILMORE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2005 BOSSLIFT TO NEW ORLEANS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

Mayor Glen Gilmore of Hamilton Township (Mercer) and League Executive Board member will participate in the NJ Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's "Bosslift" in March. Participants are usually members of the Governor's Cabinet, the State Legislature, corporate executives, civic leaders and NJ business employers. The Mayor will fly to New Orleans, Louisiana on a NJ Air Guard refueling tanker and will view an air-to-air refueling demonstration. He will visit several military installations and demonstrations to show how the guard and reserve support the active duty military and the importance of employer support for these part-time citizen-soldiers. For more information, contact the League.

LEAGUE CREATES SPECIAL ARBITRATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

The League recently announced the formation of a special Arbitration Review Committee. The new committee is co-chaired by Mayor Gene Feyl of Denville Township and League 3rd Vice President, and Mayor Robert Bowser of East Orange City and League Executive Board member. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the League as soon as possible.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES TO NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE MEMBERS
-Contact www.njlom.org or www.esgr.com

The League has posted a fact sheet online with questions and answers for employers and their employees who participate in the National Guard and Reserve. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve operates programs to help employers understand the role of Reserve members. Contact ESGR or the League for the facts.

56TH ANNUAL ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARDS
-Contact Gary Chandler (720) 931-0834 or www.ncl.org/aac

The National Civic League invites you to apply for America's oldest and most prestigious community recognition award. The All-America City Award recognizes exemplary grassroots community problem-solving and is given to communities of all sizes that cooperatively tackle challenges and achieve results. The application deadline is March 10, 2005. To receive an application and more details, contact the National Civic League.