The NJCM’s annual Winter Summit took place at the historic Masonic Temple in Trenton on a unseasonably warm winter day in February. The event was attended by more than 100 mayors and business council members. The gathering had two components. The morning was a panel of legislative leaders who discussed a number of key legislative issues of concern to mayors. The afternoon was a Business Council luncheon and panel discussion on business and the challenges facing Main Street America. A Welcome was provided by Mayor Janice Mironov, President, NJCM
Immediately followed by a NJ Legislative Leadership Panel Session that included: Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz; Senate Republican Leader Steven V. Oroho; Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin; Deputy Minority Leader Assemblywoman Nancy F. Munoz. Topics ranged from a discussion of the State Health Benefits increase to Affordable Housing and OPRA. Mayors and legislators were able to exchange information on each topic and legislators were able to learn about the challenges Mayors face daily.
We were honored to have Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, New Jersey Department of Transportation as our keynote speaker. She provided information and details on a wide range of programs and grant opportunities that the NJDOT offers municipalities. Mayors were encourages to reach out to her directly should have any questions on how to apply for grants.
The afternoon session included a luncheon and a panel of Business Leaders and Mayors discussing: NJ Business Climate and the Local Challenge of Healthcare Coverage; Main Street and Downtowns Opportunities and Challenges; Warehousing Opportunities and Challenges. The panel was moderated by Mayor Janice Mironov, East Windsor Township, NJCM President and included a representative of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association; Natalie Pineiro, Executive Director, Downtown Somerville Alliance Mike McGuinness; Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties; Mayor Dean Dafis, Maplewood Township; Mayor Lou Manzo, Harrison Township; Mayor Andre Sayegh, City of Paterson.