Camden Revitalization Moves Forward

Governor James E. McGreevey announced Friday that John E. McCormac would chair the newly created 16-member Economic Recovery Board (ERB). The ERB, which met Friday for the first time began laying the groundwork to implement the Municipal Rehabilitation and Recovery Act. The Act created a subsidiary corporation within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and is charged with implementing a comprehensive strategy of revitalization for qualified municipalities, such as Camden.

"I am pleased with Treasurer McCormac’s readiness to play a vital role in Camden's journey to renewal," said Governor James E. McGreevey, who signed the Act creating the new Board and authorizing the Camden recovery plan involving over $175 million in financing through the EDA.

"I am confident that the road leading to Camden's rebirth will have a charted course of success under this plan which has been crafted meticulously by city, county and state officials who are truly committed to the city's future."

Economic Recovery Board action today included the adoption of Board bylaws and the approval of an agreement to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the EDA for administrative and professional services.

“I look forward to working in partnership with all of the distinguished members of the Economic Recovery Board,” said McCormac. “I know that with hard work and dedication we will make giant strides in implementing this plan to revitalize the City of Camden.”

Other public members of the new Board appointed by the Governor include: William Hosey of Haddon Heights, the business agent and president of Local 351 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Rev. J.C. Jones, pastor of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Concerned Black Clergy of Camden; Robert Milner, a Cherry Hill resident who owns a dozen pharmacies, four of which are located in Camden; Rosa Ramirez, a Camden resident and community activist who currently serves as community school coordinator at St. Joseph's Elementary School; and Rodney Sadler, a Camden boat yard owner, founder of the Save Our Waterfront neighborhood development group, and city Planning Board Chair. The Senate Presidents also appointed public member Daniel Dalton of Gloucester City. The ERB is waiting for one additional member to be appointed by the Assembly Speaker.

Ex-officio members of the Board include: Mayor Faison; Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin; state Treasurer John E. McCormac; EDA chairman Anthony R. Coscia; Camden County Freeholder Director Jeffrey L. Nash, and Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes.

The Governor has also appointed Kathleen Naymola of the federal department of Housing and Urban Development to serve as the non-voting member of the Board.

Joining the Board and Governor McGreevey for the first meeting were Senators Wayne Bryant and Martha Bark, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Roberts and Assembly members Nia Cruz Perez and George Geist, sponsors of the enabling legislation, and local Camden officials.

Randy Primas, who was named by Governor McGreevey as the new Chief Operating Officer of the city, provided an overview to the Board members of the strategy for implementing the responsibilities of his new office. Also in attendance were: Caren Franzini, Executive Director of EDA and Commissioner Susan Bass Levin, who also presented her vision of DCA's role in the plan.

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Author: Paul Aronsohn