On behalf of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, we are most pleased to witness the return to office of Governor Jon Corzine in such a short period of time following his automobile accident on April 12^th, which occurred just after his participation at our 44^th Annual Conference in Atlantic City. Our prayers continue to be with him as he rehabilitates while serving daily as our Chief Executive Officer. We do believe in miracles! 

It is an honor to have been elected as the 2007-2008 President of the NJCM team. Like most rookie coaches, it is both a scary and challenging time to suddenly be in the position of leadership for a team that has a proven record of accomplishment. Of course, the rookie coach always steps into the “big” shoes of those who most recently served before him like Mayors Ron Sworen, Doug Palmer, Bill Pikolycky, Ann McNamara, Suzanne Walters, Thalia Kay, and Jim Whelan, plus two great friends, Anthony DeCicco and Tim McDonough.  

It has been a great pleasure to have had the opportunity to serve on the NJCM Board of Directors since the transformation of our organization that began in 1992 when Mike Voll became our President.  He was the spark plug that ignited a new era for the New Jersey Conference of Mayors. We have collectively witnessed incredible growth in attendance at our annual conferences that expectantly include participation from the highest ranking government and business officials in the Garden State, and the national leadership, including the President and Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Add that to our legislative activities and on-going productive interface with both the Legislature and the Administration, and we have an organization of which every Mayor can be proud to say that he or she is a member. 

We cannot speak of our growth activities on your behalf without discussing our Annual Executive Summit, now in its 16^th year, and poised to grow even larger due to our decision to relocate the event to a larger and more exciting oceanfront location. That’s right! Our ever popular Summit and Jersey Seafood Fest is moving right into the heart of one of the finest seafood ports in New Jersey, Viking Village at Barnegat Light. Visit www.vikingvillage.net to learn more about our new summit location. 

This said, we have a challenging year ahead of us as escalating property taxes is still the most important issue that we as Mayors face every day. Followed by Public Safety and maintaining a balance of sound education versus the cost of educating. We on the NJCM Executive Board are prepared to take on these issues for you as a united front.  Mayors Malcolm Fraser 1^st VP, Colleen Mahr 2^nd VP, Brian Gallagher and Brian Whaler 3^rd and 4th VP’s, Ron Sworen, Past President, and Tim McDonough,  are all here to work with you on the important issues facing each and every Mayor in this great State in a bi-partisan manner.  

And speaking of our united front, we hope you will take a moment to voucher your 2007 NJCM Membership dues, as we need your involvement to carry your issues and concerns to the legislature and the administration. Thanks for your continued support of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.   

With kind regards 
 
Angelo Corradino, President, NJCM