United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

United Way Brings Public Officials and
Business Leaders Together
Monday, October 17, 2005

United Way of Morris County held its second annual Public Officials Forum on October 17th. The event, hosted at the North Maple Inn by Pfizer Inc, brings community and political leaders together to make connections and discuss community priorities.  This year's program focused on affordable housing in Morris County, an issue that has generated a great deal of community interest in recent months.  Mayors, assemblymen, freeholders, state senators, business leaders and community members were in attendance.

Peter Wolfson, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., and member of United Way's Commercial Real Estate Network Steering Committee, moderated the event.

John Franklin, CEO of United Way of Morris County, noted that 10,000 families in Morris County seek more affordable housing, and that teachers, health care workers, social workers, and police officers cannot live near where they work.  "When a large segment of the population is excluded from participation in the American Dream, it affects the very nature and soul of our community."

Richard Bagger, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Public Affairs and Policy, Pfizer Inc cited the difficulties corporations face in retaining a workforce in the face of skyrocketing housing costs.

Featured speaker New Jersey State Senator, Tom Kean, Jr. referenced President Lincoln's Homestead Act, which guaranteed a man ten acres of land if he could work it for five years.  He spoke about the need to "recycle, reuse, and revitalize" and to be creative in developing affordable housing.  "We need a new mindset, abandoning ‘not in my backyard' and adopting a ‘why NOT in my community' attitude.  From Washington to Trenton to Morris County, we need to open the doors to home ownership for all."