United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

United Way Brings Elected Officials, Business Leaders Together
Thursday, October 19, 2006

The room was crowded, hands were pressed, introductions were made, and affordable housing was the buzz.

United Way of Morris County held its third annual Public Officials Forum on October 19th at the North Maple Inn in Basking Ridge, N.J.  The event, which was hosted by Pfizer Inc, brought over 100 mayors, freeholders, state senators, business leaders, nonprofit representatives, and community members together. Executives from Pfizer Inc, Wyeth, UPS, Somerset Hills Bank, AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, and T.D. Banknorth, N.A., as well as members of the Housing Alliance, representatives from New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, Senator Lautenberg, and Senator Menendez's offices joined the gathering.

This year, the forum program focused on the topic of affordable housing in Morris County, an issue that has generated a great deal of community and political interest in the last two years.  Governor Corzine recently issued a "State of New Jersey Housing Policy and Status Report," which established a landmark housing goal for the State to produce, preserve, and finance 100,000 affordable housing units in 10 years.

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Deputy Commissioner Chuck Richman spoke about specific programs available that promote affordable housing.  He also noted that "the same house in North Carolina will cost half of what it costs to build in New Jersey, and most of that difference is the regulatory process.  We are working to make the government process more predictable and quicker."  He also pledged to come back to Morris County to work with nonprofits and others to help the County increase the housing supply.

The featured guest speaker was New Jersey State Senator Leonard Lance (R-District 23), Minority Leader of the Senate since 2004.  Lance spoke about the direct connection between New Jersey's sky rocketing property taxes, and the lack of affordable housing.  He also raised concerns about interstate migration from New Jersey, and the state's huge debt load, which is the third highest in the nation.  He praised Morris County efforts on behalf of affordable housing.

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 and Wendy Lazarus, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for Pfizer in New Jersey, also addressed the gathering.
 
Freeholder John Murphy opened the program on behalf of Morris County's Freeholders, officially proclaiming October as Affordable Housing Month in Morris County.