Gov. Promises Assistance for Camden

A bill to revive Camden will be developed by May and passed by June, Gov. James E. McGreevey promised about 1,000 residents during a town meeting Thursday night. He said he would develop the plan with city leaders and legislators, and would return to Antioch Baptist Church in two months with details.

Rosa Ramirez, a member of Camden Churches Organized for People, interrupted his speech and said, "You said you would be back in 60 days and we will hold you to that."

McGreevey also pledged to send state troopers into Camden Friday to help fight crime. Before he was sworn in, McGreevey put the brakes on a plan that would have infused $181 million of state money into the city to repair infrastructure, expand local hospitals and universities, train workers and knock down vacant buildings. McGreevey said then he preferred tax incentives rather than cash to boost the city with the nation's second highest poverty rate. Local leaders have said that is not enough.

While the waterfront along the Delaware River is becoming a tourist destination, the rest of the city shows few signs of hope.

About one in five homes is vacant. The city's Woodrow Wilson High School had a dropout rate of 47 percent last year, the highest among the state's traditional schools. And the last mayor left office and went directly to federal prison on a corruption conviction.

McGreevey came to the meeting armed with charts showing the state's budget problems as he made his first appearance in Camden as governor.

"We need to bring all of us to the table to get things done," McGreevey said. "Not everyone will be happy...but I'm not in the happy business. I'm in the get things done business," McGreevey said.

Residents such as Emma Neal talked about the reality of living in one of the nation's poorest cities. "It's impossible to raise a child here in Camden," she said. "Yet somehow we do."

Her solution: "We need money for the city of Camden."

McGreevey had planned to attend a town-hall style meeting in Camden on Feb. 5, but canceled after he broke his leg a few days before the event.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP