This was a weekend of constant motion – I was all over the City and also went down to speak at an Obama event in Plainfield. There is a lot of work to do in Newark to ensure an Obama victory — I will also continue to serve the Obama campaign statewide. While I visited a number of key states for Obama during the primary season, I plan to stay at home in Jersey to ensure our victory here. I am not happy about the polls tightening but am confident that some hard work over the next 4 weeks should extend our lead again.

I continue to be so grateful for the dozen or so community groups who were out this weekend enjoying our City and hosting block events. Folks kept me on the move and . . . kept feeding their Mayor. I have some serious working out to do this fall to get back into shape or I will need to buy some new suits.

I want to give a particular shout out to the Brick Bandits. They held a great event on 18th Avenue and 11th Street. I am so proud of them and their desire to create unity in the community, to put the neighbor back in the hood and to create peace in our streets. Their block party was called the “Hands Up, Guns Down Community Block Party”. They are mission driven and I have faith they will have a great impact in our City. I loved our massive Simon Says game (also known as Take The Mayor’s Money!). Assemblywoman Grace Spencer added her money to mine for this game so it became a great competition. The folks wanted this to be a winner take all game and a phenomenal young disciplined lady took the prize of $90.

The Brick Bandits are working on a web site. . . check them out at www.Brickbandits.com.

Today was Newark’s first ever Green Summit. Leaders in the green movement from all over the country convened in Newark, together with an impressive group of our local activists, to put together an ambitious agenda for Newark’s own green revolution.

I am proud of and grateful to so many of the people involved, both locally and nationally, who helped me understand that a green agenda can supercharge solutions to so many of the issues I am working on — from saving the City millions of dollars in energy costs to producing thousands of jobs to meeting many of the critical health needs of our children and undermining the cycle of men and women going in and out of jail perpetrating more and more crime.

I was so excited, not only to see green leaders at the Summit, but also so many from our community who just came with a determination to be a part of this growing movement. I met a Central High student (who loved his new school) and a resident who grabbed my ear for a bit with so much enthusiasm that I thought if I could find a way to tap his energy we could light up our City for a month.

My comments on the opening of the Summit were along the following lines:

To achieve the American dream, the dream must be green. Our most challenging problems can be met with a green consciousness, and, in fact, they can’t be solved without one. From reigning in the escalating costs of government to national security, our nation must (after the American Revolution, industrial revolution and even a technology revolution) have a green revolution. . . .

I also went by the NJCRI community festival. NJCRI is one of our best grassroots organizations that assist people living with HIV/AIDS. It is cutting edge in so many ways — from education to treatment — and they are also now hosting one of our new needle exchange programs in which they combine the program with counseling and outreach. I am proud of this group and had a fun time in my visit. I spoke about the need we have as a people to affirm the beauty, dignity and divinity of every one of our nation’s citizens. There can be no marginalized people. We are interdependent and need one another — everyone — for our common progress. This organization sees the divinity in us all and is actively working to empower residents and strengthen families and neighborhoods.

Finally a bit about rumors. Without being specific, today was a day when two rumors were ripping through City Hall, fueled by someone and given even more life by press inquiries. What people often don’t see, or care about, is how hurtful rumors can be. As a manager of a large team, I try to get people to stay focused on the mission, to allow the excitement and urgency of our work to consume us to the point that the noise, no matter how hurtful, cruel or insidious in intent, doesn’t distract from the sacred work in which we are engaged. Today had its share of distractions but I am grateful that the professionals I am working with didn’t let the noise and the swirl keep them from pouring their hearts and spirits into our work.

It was a good day for Newark

Today we remember
So many lost in senseless violence
The vicious ugliness of human hate
The depravity and evil that visited our nation.Today we remember
Thousands of Americans who passed on this day seven years ago
Hundreds of New Jersey residents, many Newarkers
My early childhood best friend.

But in our remembrance
Amidst the scars still unhealed
We turn our face towards the future
And the work yet undone.

I am so proud of our country
Of what history we have
Of who we are
And of who we WILL be.

It is left to us now
In our remembrance
To honor the dead
And also to renew our resolve.

America - the country of our great ancestors
The nation of limitless dreams
Our courage will not falter
As we preserve our highest ideals and manifest our destiny.

Today we remember.

Yesterday, we had one of my favorite press conferences of my administration. While probably the least “sexy” (sorry, James Bennett, this has nothing to do your role as moderator), it has everything to do with making government work for residents.

For years, if you wanted something from City Hall or the City government in general, you had to know exactly what department to call. If you made a mistake, you would get bounced around or have to hunt yourself. And you would get frustrated call takers who were tired of hearing people asking about things that they didn’t know.

I am proud that Newark is the first city in New Jersey to launch a sophisticated non-emergency call center. It is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and residents call there about anything – even things the City doesn’t do – and get information and referrals, make complaints, report problems, make requests for specific services and a host of other things. From illegal dumping to potholes, from traffic signal problems to snow removal from vacant lot cleanups to suspicious or annoying behavior by individuals or groups (even politicians), this line is there to help our residents.

New York City launched its line a few years back before I was in office here in Newark. When I studied it and how powerful it would be for residents, I was determined to have Newark follow. We looked at other cities and learned the best way to go about it. Further, I saw that it would be a powerful performance management tool. We could better track calls for service or complaints and begin to hold our departments accountable for the speed with which they addressed the complaints - all with the end of making government more efficient and focused on the bottom line — efficient effective customer service. We could also attune our policy and resources to those areas in which we were receiving the most calls — making government even more responsive to residents. Finally, we could begin to draw non-emergency calls away from clogging up our 911 line — this helps with police response time and ensures the better use of critical police resources.

The line will grow and evolve as New York City’s has – learning, expanding and becoming more sophisticated in the services it provides.

I was pretty psyched to see that the media got it. And even though it didn’t involve someone bleeding, a rock or sports star (loved the Bon Jovi and Tiki Barber press conferences) or millions of dollars, a number of news stations came out, a few TV stations, print and radio.

After the press conference, I had fun going back and answering the phones myself. I’ve done this before at police communications – something I even think is important to do on nights when call volume is especially high and calls are backing up. For the non-emergency line, it was not only fun to surprise residents that they are actually talking to the mayor (some take a little convincing (I love saying to them, “okay, if you don’t think it’s the mayor, ask me something only the mayor would know. . . “)), but I hope I can communicate to them, and the public as a whole, how important customer service is to this administration. We have a long way to go until we get to where I believe the City should be, but yesterday we made one giant leap. Please, Newark residents, start using the line, I believe you will be satisfied with the service. 973.733. 4311.

It was another one of those days during which I was scheduled from morning to night — over 12 hours. My first meeting began around 8:30 am and my last began at 9:00 pm – the good thing is the day began and ended on high notes. My day began at the Urban Real Estate Conference at NJPAC at which I gave remarks to a room filled with people, many of whom recognize the great opportunities emerging in Newark. My day ended with a late dinner with folks working with me on an affordable housing project.

My second meeting of the day was at Marion P. Thomas Charter School. I was met at the door by a group of outstanding students, the principal, parents and staff who were fired up about their school, the progress they were making and their expansion plans on the block. The students all looked sharp in their uniforms and you could see both the discipline and focus in every classroom. I did my best to mercilessly tease my student chaperones but they were unflappable.

In one class I visited, students were reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The teacher said a student or two complained about the book and I jumped in (having loved it). I spoke about the power of high expectations and about how we too often sell ourselves short or, as in the book, we look to the left or to the right for examples as opposed to looking within and testing our infinite potential. “Push boundaries, challenge assumptions, take risks and unleash your true self unto a world that is starving for authenticity of spirit!” I ended with a rough quote from one of my favorite books, James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, with a line I probably quote more than any other:

“I know what I am asking you is impossible but, in today’s age, the impossible is the least we can demand and one is after all emboldened by the spectacle of human history in general and negro history in particular because it testifies to nothing less than the perpetual achievement of the impossible.”

Well, maybe I should not have yelled some of my lines. While the teacher seemed pleased, at least a couple of the students gave me a shocked look that said, “Is this our mayor?”

And of course there had to be a reporter there . . . we will see what they write - at least I didn’t try and spell potato.

Yesterday was a brilliant blur of activity - a truly great day for Newark and a lot of intense fun for me.

More Schools!

My team and I started the day with more school visits.  The first one was a long commute . . . 

Hawthorne Avenue School

Hawthorne Avenue School is directly across the street from my home.  From 1995 -2006 when I lived in Brick Towers,  Quitman Street School was my school but now Hawthorne is “My School”.  One of my favorite things about  living right next to a school is that every school day you hear “Future’s Chorus” or the harmonic sounds of kids as they press towards their (and our) future.  For me, it is a constant reminder of what is important and of the significant work that needs to be done.  I love the crew at Hawthorne and because we are so familiar, there is much less of the “Mayor Booker” formality and things get real – very quickly!  Ms Gibson-Burney, the principal, and I have developed a good relationship and yesterday she was in master and commander mode.  I arrived to speak to students but then a fire alarm went off and she was barking orders on her hand held radio and marshalling her miniature troops out the door.  Go Hawthorne!

Speedway Avenue School

I was a principal for the day at Speedway Avenue School not too long ago and it was good to return.  Speedway is a smaller school with a determined team.  It seems like they are off to a good start and they work with the youngest of our children who need the love and dedication of the teachers I saw there — I think these children will have it in abundance.  I challenged the principal to reach out to me for specific requests for help and I hope that I can support them in their efforts more this year.

Alexander Street School

I really enjoyed my visit to Alexander Street.  I talked to a few fifth grade classes and was impressed with many of the students who engaged me.  I was really pumped up when I walked into one class and saw two black men teaching. Walking in and observing for a minute, there was something about the way they connected to the class as a whole that struck me and with all the challenges facing black boys in academic achievement, it was very encouraging to not only see two strong seeming teachers but two strong black male role models as well.  

Greater Newark Charter School

This is one of those schools that you really need to visit to understand how special it is.  I was really impressed.  I’d been there before but this was one of the first times I spent time in the classroom.  One teacher (I am so sorry I can’t remember her name) was truly a master teacher as described by her principal.  I walked in and was blown away, she moved about the class like a lovingly hard general, challenging her kids with every step, keeping them on task and their attention focused.  She didn’t tolerate anything from poor posture to people who didn’t speak clearly and with confidence.  It was clear that these students were going to have a great year of learning.  This small community-based school is making significant strides and their test scores reflect the work they are doing.

Re-Entry

After 4 school visits, I sped to City Hall to return phone calls, prep are for the BIG press conference and meet with our visitors from Washington.  I had a very powerful conversation with Brent Orrell, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor, and his team.  He is a great guy — so impassioned about the continuum of issues that are challenging us in getting our nation to work.  We talked a lot about drop-out prevention and I will try and have my team participate in the November conference he and the Walton Foundation are convening on drop out prevention.

But he was here for our press conference on the $5 million  grant awarded to Newark for prisoner re-entry.  The press conference was phenomenal, it seemed like the world came together — from the White House, to our Governor, Attorney General, Labor Commissioner and others from the State House and a host of other leaders from the county of Essex to grass root lions – ministers, nonprofit leaders, community activist and more.

We were all united to confront a problem that is costing our City, state and nation billions of dollars and untold resources – the cycle of ex-offenders returning to prison again and again and again.

The best speaker by far was Altorice Frazier.  I hope to be able to get a link so that any interested readers can hear his words, mine and others who spoke.

This grant focuses on the following key items:
1.      the creation of a rapid attachment to work for men and women coming back to work;
2.      a strong faith based component and grassroots component so that many of the actual service providers are close to the community;
3.      wrap around mentoring for the people involved; and
4.      expansion of the City’s transitional job program.  This program has minimum wage jobs for people who just come home from prison to help stabilize their lives, give them an immediate source of income so they can secure food, housing etc.  It mentors them and provides a needed City service – supplementing sanitation and now setting up “green teams” who will be cleaning lots and neighborhoods;
5.      tremendous emphasis on program evaluation –  what is working and what is not.  We will not waste money on those programs that don’t produce results and we will know quickly which ones are having success so they can be expanded and replicated in other cities across the country.

Why so much help for ex-offenders?

I’m offended by some of the blogs I’ve read that so harshly believe that we should not be investing resources in this population.  We don’t invest much as a society and as a result we now pay the price.

The cost of imprisoning a person is close to $40,000 per year –  so much more than the cost of programs that will ensure that they stay out of prison and reduce rates of recidivism (approximately 60%).  It is crazy that  we spend so much money locking the same people up over and over again (over $1 billion per year in New Jersey) when we could instead save money by investing in such programs that not only reduce the cost to our state but also empower men and women to succeed and contribute.

$40,000  per person is NOT the real cost.  In pure financial terms you need to add much more to the cost:
-       There is the incredible cost of making the arrestsin the first place.  Newark’s biggest expense is for police and courts — to this, add  county police, state police, and a host of federal agencies all paid for by taxpayers and all with ballooning budgets.
-       Add the cost in of the social programs that so many of the families of incarcerated people rely on because there is no productive earner in the house – from food stamps to charity hospital care.
-       Add in the heinous damage that criminals who recidivate do in the community – we pay that immediate price in stolen property or worse.  For example, when criminals shoot each other, the expense to taxpayers is, on average, more than $250,000 just to pay the hospital bills (criminals don’t have insurance programs).
-       Finally add the opportunity cost.  Helping ex-offenders obtain jobs actually means that they will be paying taxes – they are contributing to the common good and lessening the burden to us all.

If we don’t help returning offenders we pay more!  But what about our moral obligation, what about what we stand for as a people, where is the spirit of the Prodigal Son? I am tired of seeing how our prison population is expanding and expanding.  How a nation that believes in freedom and liberty is the nation that actually incarcerates the highest percentage of its population. 

Further there are so many laws that work against people when they come out of prison. Laws that make it difficult for them to get driver’s licenses or other basic things that can empower them for work.

We need to be a society a community that fosters peace, strength, security, economic pragmatism and success in the broadest term – this is definitely about individual choices but it is also about a community choice or our collective choice.  We need to now choose to manifest the best of America. In Newark, we are now on our way to choosing to manifest the best of America – or a strong replicable model – here in Newark for reentry of ex-offenders.  I think we have making great strides towards this end and yesterday represented a great leap.

Heat and Progress

The remainder of my day was a blur of activity but my last meeting was classic.  It was in our hot Central Ward headquarters – no air conditioning but a crowded room of folks from all over the Central Ward - all different backgrounds and ages - gathered to talk about our progress and the work we have to do both from a policy perspective and in the upcoming election.  I finished the meeting drenched in sweat but feeling physically tired but spiritually strong.  So many great people here in Newark, united for progress and willing to do the hard (sometimes sweaty) work necessary to move forward.

I love this day — I love the first day of school! So tremendous. Our City is a buzz with energy and the dynamic hope that each one of our children bring. Stakes are high and I am charged up by those who are determined to meet them. So I began early this morning, intent on visiting as many schools as possible. I charge from classroom to classroom as the loudest, largest cheerleader our City has — thanking staff, crossing guards, security personnel, administrators, custodial staff, teachers, principals and parents for stepping up to the challenge and the higher expectations our new superintendent and I are placing for our kids.

I carried journals and school supplies with me (I say I did, please read my staff did, God bless them for lugging all of those bags – an especially huge thanks to Erich Caulfield, my Senior Policy Advisor, and Xania Foster, my Education Program Manager, for chasing after me, arms full of goodies).

In each class I visited, I spoke about the importance, if not the urgency, of education.

I told stories about my early years, how I began keeping a journal and writing my goals each day and how it actually helped to embolden my education and achievement.

I told older children about how we now live in a global knowledge-based economy — that how much we EARN is directly dependent upon how much we LEARN.

I told them that education is about increasing options. The more you learn, the more options you have for your life, the more possibilities open up. Don’t give up your freedom, don’t shackle yourself to small narrow choices, liberate yourself and claim the magnificent multitude of options and possibilities your life contains.

I asked over a dozen classrooms if they would get straight if I offered them $1000. Countless hands went up throughout the day. I asked them what they would do differently and heard about studying harder, not watching TV, doing homework, etc. Then I of course said, so what your saying is that your excellence in is not an issue of CAN you but WILL you. You have the potential but are lacking the will. So this is then an issue of your own personal motivation, your own determination to achieve excellence or even simply how excited you are about your dreams. $1,000 can motivate you but your dreams of succeeding in life can’t . . . .

I tried to get them to understand that in this economy $1,000 is nothing compared to what they could earn for their success – in today’s economy the difference in lifetime earnings for the average high school graduate compared to the average college graduate is over $1 million. I told them that there are hundreds of thousands of dollars of scholarships waiting for them if they demonstrate excellence. And finally I told many classes that this ultimately isn’t about dollars and cents. It is about what you were born to do – that every person on earth is born with a purpose – to magnify the glory of the divine – to fulfill their unique potential and rise up to their highest calling. I told them that the world needed them, it needed their genius, their compassion, it needed their power and their potential. This world is suffering from too many people playing small, too many people taking the easy way, too many people underestimating what they can do. We are a nation born by people who chose sacrifice, who opted for the challenging path, who were willing to do the hard work. And now we all reap the benefits of their glorious decisions. They need to make the boldest of decisions now, make the sacrifice now, put in the hard work now so that they open up a world of opportunity for themselves and leave a legacy for their children and our country bigger than they inherited.

As you can see. . . . I love the first day of school. . . . . .

Here is my step by step through the City today. 11 schools from 7:45 am until 2:50 pm . . . .

1. Central High School
Ribbon Cutting – a new building . . . 10 years in the making. Major kudos to the hundreds of community leaders who fought to make this new tremendous facility possible, who never gave up hope (it was good to see Ms. Wilhemina Holder and the Jacobs family there). My gratitude to the state’s school construction team and all the others who made our new Central High possible.
And a special shout of gratitude to Shanique Jones (the amazing superstar senior) and the other student activists who picked up this fight and pushed our efforts across the finish line. This was a great way to start the day.

2. Camden Street School
Almost 500 kids showed up today, an amazing staff and 47 teachers ready to go. Camden Street has grades pre K through 4, as well as a special needs population. I have enormous respect for the principal, Ms. Lavon Pack, who seemed so ready for this year and showed such genuine love for the kids. I saw amazing young people who were so eager. . . . and I saw a few kids clinging to their mothers with tears in their eyes. . . I hope my mom doesn’t write a commentary about this blog, she may have a story or two about my first days.

3. Rafael Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez contains grades K - 8. I was very impressed with principal Juan Carlos, a young guy who is charged up for a great year, along with his team. I’ve got great hope for their success this year. I really enjoyed going through the school and visiting the various classrooms. I had a lot of fun conversations with the students.

4. Abingdon Ave. School
Dennis Torsiello is the principal of one of our traditionally highest performing schools. He met me with a determination to lift the school’s performance and excel on the state’s standardized tests.

5. Elliot St. School
I am so grateful for the team at this school. They were burned out of their facility in my first year in office and have been working under difficult conditions. They make no excuses though and are digging in for what I believe will be a great year.

6. Christ the King
Christ the King is a private school with a great model – children gain work experience in real work settings all over the city of Newark. The money they earn pays their tuition. 60 Minutes did a great piece on this school model in another city and the results they boasted there seem to be within the reach of this school. I was very impressed with the students I engaged in their theology class and their work experience really seems to focus and empower them.

7. American History High School
WOW!!! This is our newest magnet school and I was shown around by the principal, Robert Gregory. I loved talking to groups of juniors. In one class I put a $500 challenge on the table. If they all keep journals with their goals and plans to meet them then I have to return in February with cash. I hope they rise to this additional challenge I laid down (I have challenged all juniors in Newark with the “Mayor’s Academic Challenge” which provides incentives to the class of 2010 to achieve in academics, attendance and service).

8. Oliver St. School
In a school building that is bursting at its seams and wholly inadequate for children to learn, this school is setting a high bar of achievement. I so appreciate their past success and I’m inspired by their teachers, staff and committed parents.

9. Wilson Avenue School
Another one of our high achieving schools in Newark that has an incredibly dynamic staff and student body – they have impressed me in previous years with some of their student clubs and I know they will have a great year.

10. George Washington Carver
Another k-8 school where principal Winston Jackson is in his fourth year. He pulled together local businesses and community to really roll out the red carpet for his kids and let them know that everyone was behind them, supporting them in their efforts to succeed. He shared some of his exciting ideas for the school year. I look forward to checking in on his progress.

11. Peshine Avenue School
My last school of the day BLEW ME AWAY. They get the award for most enthusiastic – they almost outdid me. Out of my car, I was met by organized rows of students standing proudly before their building. They answered my questions with strength and engaged me fully in our discussion of success. I am so encouraged by the principal Wanda Brooks-Long and wish her the best. She obviously commands the respect of her students.

On the Street with Minister Lee

My second to last meeting of the day was with one of my favorite community activists, Minister Maimie Lee, and Patrick, the superstar barber out on Central Avenue around 10th Street. For about 2 hours we set up a table and registered people to vote. I took a host of constituent inquiries and had a bunch of encouraging conversations about our City and the future of our country. Just standing on Central Avenue, talking to folks in the community, even praying some with Ms. Lee was a good (almost) end to my day.

I love Newark, I love our people and I’m so excited about our future

It was so good to drive down to Sandy Hook yesterday to take part in an annual event held by the NY/NJ Baykeepers.

There were a host of environmentalists, activists and other concerned New Jerseyans so committed to our waterways. I met a number of people focused on the Passaic River here in Newark — I am so grateful for all of our partners and the strides we have made over the last two years working with environmental groups, the DEP and EPA in cleaning the Passaic and advancing our plans for our riverfront park (Minish Park).

The event yesterday was great — a perfect day, a perfect setting and tremendous people. Senator Frank Lautenberg spoke as well as one of my all time favorite congressmen, Congressman Rush Holt. Two of the main reasons I was there were John and Wendy Neu. They are two people who live their values and are deeply involved in the New Jersey and national green movement. Thanks to their help, as well as a host of grassroots leaders, we are making tremendous progress in Newark in crafting our green agenda and making significant strides towards achieving it. I’m particularly grateful that the Neus, together with another great New Jersey family, have funded Newark’s first ever Sustainability Officer. Our new Sustainability Officer, Chelsea Albucher, will be the driving force inside of City Hall to ensure that we, together with the larger Newark coalition, achieve the success we desire.

I was really inspired by the dozens of people who I spoke with yesterday who not only get it but who are dedicating their time and resources to the larger green mission. The green mission, in a larger sense, is the realization that we can accomplish so many of our overall community goals by raising our environmental consciousness and advancing a green agenda for New Jersey.

We can:
1. Save energy
2. Create jobs
3. Save money
4. Reclaim community space
5. Undermine so many health issues from asthma to cancer
6. Beautify our cities and state
7. Re-democratize our environment so that people of all backgrounds and income levels can have access to clean rivers, parks and oceans (you don’t need to travel many miles or pay money to access green spaces)

The American Dream is a Green Dream.

All of this is so critical to Newark. I am excited about our green summit coming up. If you want information about how to possibly participate in our green summit on September 12, please contact Chelsea Albucher at albucherc@ci.newark.nj.us.

Finally, a huge shout out to the Lower Shepard Avenue folks who held one great block party. It was so great to see so many kids out yesterday and I loved the entertainment they had - Cynthia “Lady Rose” Roberson. She is an old friend who brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard her sing years ago. I was excited to see this local Newark artist had a children’s program and books (I bought three). Check her out at www.readingwithritta.com.

Due to the rainy weather, many block parties in Newark were cancelled vtoday and the storm has my emergency services people on high alert. I’m really proud of Keith Isaac, Director of Emergency Management, a native Newarker who loves the City so much.  If there is so much as a storm warning, he is 10 steps ahead of most with his planning.

So far, despite all the rain, beyond some tough road flooding, all seems okay.

While the cloudy sky, rain and storm resulted in the cancellation of the block parties,  the Obama rally today went on as scheduled. All of Newark’s political leadership was there and, more importantly, so were hundreds of Newark residents and people from all over New Jersey.

The guest of honor was Governor Bill Richardson. He told a hilarious story about seeing Obama’s character during the debates. Governor Richardson was asked a question and wasn’t paying attention because of a sidebar conversation.  With the spotlight on him, national TV glaring down, he said he felt like a deer in headlights.  Suddenly he hears Obama whisper “Katrina, Katrina” and Governor Richardson launched into his Katrina position, barely missing a beat and making great points.  Governor Richardson was happy to tell us all that “Obama didn’t throw me under the bus”.

Well, it is good to see everyone there today on the same bus all heading to a Newark and New Jersey victory for Obama!

As Director Isaac and I continue planning for any eventual emergency, be it natural, human accident or an act of terror, I’m looking forward to an even stronger partnership to keep Newark and all of America safe and secure.

And if you are driving tonight (I recommend staying in) avoid Routes 1 and 9 and 22 in Hillside due to severe flooding and there was a car accident on the Parkway around exit 143 backing everything up.  Stay safe.

Yesterday we broke ground on a 50+ unit affordable housing complex  in the North Ward with about 20% of the units set aside for special needs housing for people with HIV/AIDS.  Our pace of affordable housing production continues to increase and, in the two years my administration has been at work, we have now doubled the production of affordable housing. 

Yesterday’s groundbreaking marks a big collaborative step in building the right kind of housing - it will be built with local labor, it will include mentoring programs for our youth and it will be a first class project in so many other ways (a green building and a 2500 square foot community center).

This project began with a dinner almost 18 months ago with me, Jon Bon Jovi, Maria Cuomo Cole, Kenneth Cole, Bari Mattes from my team and others.  Bon Jovi and Maria really wanted to do something to help our mission here in Newark beyond the great commitment that Bon Jovi made to launch the opening of the Prudential Center with 10 concerts (Jon gave up more lucrative offerers to go elsewhere).

So yesterday was indeed a celebration.  The Governor - without whom we couldn’t have done the project — and a host of community leaders all gathered together around something we can all believe in and support.  Newark is charging back but in the right way. 

We have a great new arena in our downtown but are also building or reclaiming 20 parks and at least 10 athletic centers or recreation centers. 

We are drawing businesses to our City but are also launching home grown businesses through our minority, small business loan fund and finding ways to partner with local businesses, unions and workers that are very exciting.

We are leading the nation in violent crime reduction and innovating on and building prisoner re-entry programs so we cut off the supply of people going to our prisons in the first place.

But as yesterday shows, no progress is made in a vacuum.  It takes a host of people, united and committed to a larger vision of our City, our state and our nation.  People who not only have great sight but also have a true commitment to do what is necessary to get things done. I am inspired by so many people in Newark who demonstrate that every day.  I am also grateful for Jon Bon Jovi, Kenneth Cole, Maria Cuomo Cole and others who are the kind of folks who are committed to seeing Newark and America reflect the best of our values and ideals.  They do this not just in words but their committment is shown through their willingness to role up their sleeves, invest their time and resources, and stick with it until results are seen.

I am grateful.