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Editor, Caroline C. Pozycki
Thursday December 10th, 2009 Issue 23 |
SCI Report Shows Abuse, Opportunities for Local Cost Cutting
It
has been reported that New Jersey has the highest average property tax
bill in the nation, the majority of which funds local employee salaries
and benefits. In line with our effort to empower citizens to reduce property taxes by cutting municipal waste, the Citizens' Campaign is sharing the link to the new December 2009 New Jersey State Commission of Investigation (SCI) Report which found waste and abuse in 75 municipalities related to "wasteful and excessive" public employee benefits. To find out what your town is spending, please visit the searchable Data Universe database of NJ public employee salaries provided by Gannett New Jersey.
Citizen Legislator Class Teaches Citizens to Pass Local Cost Cutting Proposals
Rather than resign the taxpayer to the sidelines and wait for the
legislature to address the property tax crisis, the Citizens' Campaign
is leading the effort to cut costs and reduce municipal spending by educating regular citizens to become "Citizen Legislators" empowered with the knowledge of how to pass local cost savings measures. The Citizens' Campaign is planning to unveil a series of local cost-cutting proposals developed by our Law & Policy Task Force, which citizens can bring to their municipal officials and get adopted. For example, one
of our models will remove health benefits for part-time elected
officials, which could mean savings of between
$12,000 and $20,000
per person.
If you've attended one of our free leadership classes, you know all it
takes is one person to speak up at a council meeting to make a
difference in the community. Stay tuned for when we give you
the tools to cut costs. Take the free Citizen Legislator Class online now and learn how to successfully get a proposal passed. |
 Refer a Friend
If each of us reach out to one person, and invite them to answer the Jersey Call to Service, we can take responsibility for making change happen in our State. Refer a friend who you think would be a good leader and who should be invited to answer the Call to Service. Thank you.
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Edison Calls Residents to Service
Hometown Call to Service Summit Set for Thurs Dec 17th 7pm
Outgoing Mayor Jun Choi and Mayor-Elect Toni Ricigliano are teaming
up with the Citizens' Campaign and the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA
to host an Edison Call to Service, an initiative to recruit a new
generation of civic leaders in Edison. It will be
open to all Edison residents, with special emphasis on those who moved into the Township in the last five years.
Citizens'
Campaign Chairman Harry Pozycki said, "The Edison Call to Service
Summit will provide an opportunity for both new and old Edison
residents to learn how to use their skills and talents to tackle the
problems facing the Township."  Mayor
Jun Choi said, "Throughout my time as Mayor I have been a strong
advocate for involving more, new voices in Edison government. As I wrap
up my tenure, I'm pleased to partner with the YMCA, the Citizens' Campaign
and Mayor-Elect Ricigliano as we invite people to take action and learn
their civic responsibilities."
Mayor-Elect
Toni Ricigliano said, "Edison  residents are ready for the Call to
Service, our township has much to gain from the vast amount of talent,
skill and leadership in the community. I thank Mayor Choi for joining
me in the Call to Service, and look forward to working with the YMCA
and the Citizens' Campaign to cultivate new leaders."(read more) Edison Hometown Call to Service Summit
Thursday December 17, 2009 7pm
Council Chambers, 100 Municipal Blvd, Edison
RSVP to Lauren Skowronski (email) or call 732-548-9798 x2
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Citizen Journalism Conference Video
Monmouth University
Watch the Opening Panel
 Watch the video of the Citizen Journalism Conference Opening Panel: How the Internet is Transforming Journalism and its Impact on Local Government & Politics. Panel pictured from left to
right Harry Pozycki, Citizens' Campaign Chair, M. Delli Carpini-Dean of
the Annenberg School of Communication, Moderator, Dick Benfield-
NYTimes Editorial Writer, Mike Shapiro-owner TheAlternativPress.com, Ted Mann-
Gannett NJ Digital Development Director. |
New!
Done With Your Online Classes?
Please use the convenient online class reporting form
to tell us what you have taken. The form
will ask you to first please use your site login information. If you have not taken
any classes yet, we invite
you to return to the website and
take one of the free online ½ hour
classes. To remind you, we
offer free online classes in;
Appointed Office Service
Citizen Legislator Service
Political Party Service
Citizen Journalism
Coaches will be assigned to those who complete classes.
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Answer the Jersey Call to Service
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Citizen Leader Profile
Barbara Davis had never been more involved in politics, than
to vote in elections, send in the occasional Letter to the Editor and complain
to others about corruption and unresponsiveness in government. One of her friends in Cherry Hill invited her to become
involved in a Citizens' Reform Committee and then became hooked on opening up
her township government to the taxpayers and making it more transparent and
honest. With the help and advice from
the Citizens' Campaign, she and a handful of Cherry Hill residents began to
attend Council meetings and ask questions and make proposals. They were
successful in getting the Town Council to pass five new ordinances, including
the Citizens' Campaigns model Pay to Play reform law.
"This has been a rewarding adventure for me channeling my
negative feelings about our institutions and 'public servants' into positive
action. Another benefit has been getting
out and meeting my neighbors, finding common ground with those of differing
political views and encouraging friends and neighbors to get involved as well," Barbara said.
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Participate in the Jersey Call to Service!
Join the Citizens' Campaign. Fill out the online application now.
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 The important work of developing new leadership for New Jersey
is made possible by your support!
Thank you!
New Feature! Set up monthly recurring donations.
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Spread the Word
Suggest to a Friend to Become a Fan!
Citizens' Campaign is on Facebook! |
What People Are Saying-
Listen to The Citizens' Campaign
New Jersey has an idea factory for vibrant civic engagement and good
government. They're about clean, fair politics, and they have the
sharpest tools in the toolbox to get us there. They don't work for you
- and that's good - but they have all the answers. Same suggestion, by
the way, for my GOP brothers and sisters.-Rosi Efthim, Blue Jersey Blogger
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