MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

July 2006

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 Conference Highlights Register Online for League Conference Mayors Hall of Fame Nominations Ex-Mayors Congressional Caucus League Electronic Library of Ordinances

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Herbert Stiles, Mayor, Elmer

Early last month, we finally heard some good news for our beleaguered property taxpayers.

At a press conference in the State House, Assembly Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey promised legislative action on property tax reform by the end of this year. The legislative leaders unveiled a plan they have jointly developed, in consultation with Governor Corzine.

The process by which the reforms will be enacted will begin with the Governor addressing a special joint session of the Legislature this month. Following the speech, the Senate and Assembly will create four joint committees to look at School Funding, Benefits Reform, Government Consolidation and Shared Services, and Citizens' Convention and Constitutional Reform.

From our perspective, legislative action on a Citizens' Convention initiative is the key to the entire process. Only a vote on authorizing a Citizens' Convention will give the people who pay the taxes the opportunity to judge the sufficiency of whatever other reforms the Legislature may pass before January 1. Absent such an opportunity, the people could be forced to accept piecemeal relief efforts, instead of substantial and sustainable reform.

We still hope to see the public question on this November's ballot. We await the Governor's speech to find out if he shares our vision.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

91st ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
-Contact www.njslom.org

The League web site has housing and session schedule information available to view and download.

Click on www.njslom.org and go to the link for 91st Annual Conference to get housing forms and a preliminary schedule of topics that will be covered in League sessions. You can also view an early list of exhibitors. Prepare a "must visit" list of vendors.

When scheduling your time at the Annual Conference, don't forget to attend the Consulting Period on Thursday, November 16, from 2-4 p.m. where you can speak one-on-one with hundreds of consultants and State agency representatives. Also, be sure to schedule the League Business Meeting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. in the Sheraton Hotel.

91st ANNUAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE
ONLINE REGISRATION
-Contact www.njslom.org

Local officials will be able to register for the 91st Annual League Conference online, beginning August 1. In addition to paper registration, officials will be able to go to the League web site. Take advantage of this new and easy way to pre-register for the Conference to be held in Atlantic City, November 14-17, 2006. Full registration information will be sent to all Municipal Clerks during the first week of August 2006.

MAYORS ENCOURAGED TO PROMOTE JERSEY PRIDE
-Contact www.njhalloffame.com

The New Jersey Hall of Fame has been on a fast track since it was created by bi-partisan legislation in 2005. Established to honor great New Jerseyans, the Hall will be a source of inspiration for people young and old. Led by an advisory commission, the new museum has been compiling nominees from experts around the state. Selected leaders from the state's most prominent organizations will narrow the list for final public voting in the fall. The first class of winners will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. For more information, visit the HOF website at www.njhalloffame.com

SEEKING MAYORS' HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
-Contact Michael Darcy ext. 16 or mdarcy@njslom.com

The League is accepting nominations for the 2006 Mayors' Hall of Fame. To qualify, a mayor must be serving in at least their tenth cumulative year for the silver level or twentieth year for the gold level. Mayors who rotate into office can qualify after holding the office of mayor for ten years.

Qualifying mayors will be inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors' Hall of Fame during the Mayors' Luncheon at the Annual Conference Wednesday, November 15 in Atlantic City. For more information about the Mayors' Hall of Fame, visit our web site at www.njslom.org or contact the League office.

FORMER NJ MAYORS JOIN NEWLY CREATED CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

New Jersey Congressmen Bill Pascrell Jr. and Steve Rothman have joined about 20 other former mayors in Congress to form a new caucus to give cities more of a voice at the federal level. The caucus will provide a more unified approach for policies and legislation that will help the local level from lawmakers who were formerly in charge of cities and towns. For more information on the caucus, contact the League office.

LEAGUE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
OF ORDINANCES
-Contact Deborah Kole ext. 37 or dkole@njslom.com

The League now offers two methods of obtaining sample ordinances through the Bureau of Municipal Information. Officials can request them by telephone or e-mail, or download them directly from our website.

The League is requesting your help to update the list of ordinances on our website. If your municipality has recently enacted any ordinances that would be of general interest to League members, please send us a copy. Your assistance is appreciated and helps the League improve and expand this important service.

All ordinances should be forwarded to Deborah Kole via e-mail or fax to (609) 695-0151.