The New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM) held its 61st annual spring conference late last month to install Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy as its president.
Founded in 1963, the NJCM is the largest state-wide organization in the nation that exclusively represents the interests of mayors. Its founding mayors were interested in each others’ activities and chose to find common ground on issues impacting residents.
The NJCM advocates for all 564 municipalities in New Jersey and is a bipartisan voice for both state and federal government. With events, education and legislative advocacy, it offers mayors the tools and connections they need to lead effectively.
The goal of the organization is to provide a unified approach and open line of communication to state and federal legislatures and administrations that reflect the will of residents.
Veasy delivered her inaugural remarks on May 20 during the conference’s grand luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City and after keynote speaker Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The event offered networking and thoughtfully curated educational programming.
It also welcomed other state mayors, members of the governor’s cabinet, state leaders, business partners and municipal stakeholders to focus on the future of local leadership in New Jersey.
“This is a moment to celebrate the power of mayors, not only as leaders of our communities, but as partners in shaping the future of New Jersey,” Veasy noted. “Our theme, ‘Local Leadership to Legislative Action,’ reflects the work mayors do every day (of) turning the challenges we see on our streets, in our downtowns, in our schools, and in our neighborhoods into solutions that can move our state forward.”
As part of NJCM’s leadership transition, the organization recognized its newly sworn-in executive board members, of which Veasy is one, and also swore in its newly elected board of directors.
The luncheon was one of the most visible examples of this year’s conference theme, with Sherrill addressing state mayors and members of her administration participating directly in conference programming. Lt. Gov. Dr. Dale G. Caldwell and cabinet officials joined mayors for continued dialogue on the issues shaping communities across the state, including public health, environmental protection, agriculture, public safety, military and veterans affairs, technology, transportation, civil service, maternal and infant health and government accountability.
“The strength of New Jersey begins in its municipalities,” said Amanda M. De Palma, executive director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors noted at the conference. “When mayors come together with the governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet leaders, legislators and partners from across the public and private sectors, we are doing more than hosting a conference.
“We are building the relationships, trust and shared understanding needed to solve problems and deliver for residents.”
This year’s NJCM event included policy sessions, legislative roundtables, networking opportunities and the Mayors Awards Breakfast. Programming focused on the real issues facing local governments, including affordability, redevelopment, AI, public safety, infrastructure, health and wellness, and legislative priorities that impact municipalities statewide.
For more information on the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, visit newjerseyconferenceofmayors.com.
