ALLIANCE FOR ACTION’S GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE TO SPOTLIGHT HOW CORZINE’S FISCAL PLAN WILL IMPACT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
The Alliance for Action’s 5th Annual Governor’s Transportation Conference will focus on an issue of special interest to Alliance members --- what Governor Corzine’s fiscal restructuring plan would mean for transportation projects. Get your reservations in early for the event on Friday, February 29, in Trenton.

The Governor will be the featured speaker to review how his fiscal proposal will have “major ramifications for New Jersey transportation projects and programs for generations.”

Other featured speakers will include Bradley Abelow, the Governor’s chief of staff, and State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri.

The Conference at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center will begin with registration at 12:30 p.m., with the program to follow at 2 p.m. To reserve your place Go Here.

FTA ADMINISTRATOR TO DISCUSS ARC TUNNEL PROJECT
A special guest speaker at the Governor’s Transportation Conference will be James S. Simpson, who has served as Federal Transit Administrator since 2006.  Simpson will discuss the ARC Tunnel, which recently received an FTA ratings boost to “medium high.”  The boost improves the project’s positioning for federal funding.

Governor Jon Corzine said:  “This rating recognizes ARC nationally as a critical transportation project.”  New Jersey’s US Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez hailed the announcement as a big step forward for the project.  Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Chairman Anthony Coscia declared “ARC is a critical link keeping New York and New Jersey competitive in a global marketplace.”

CORZINE TO DROP ROUTE 440 TOLLS FROM HIS PLAN
Governor Jon Corzine says he expects to drop the proposed addition of tolls on Route 440 in Middlesex County from his fiscal restructuring plan. He made the announcement during a town hall forum held at East Brunswick High School attended by 700 people.

The Governor’s original proposal included a 35-cent toll on Route 440, a major connecting road in Middlesex County. At the same forum, Corzine declared that the long-discussed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail line will not run through Middlesex County and will be “the MO line, not the MOM line.”

GM SELLS LINDEN PLAN SITE TO DEVELOPER
General Motors Corporation has sold its assembly plant on Route 1 in Linden to Duke Realty, an Indianapolis-based real estate developer. Duke intends to redevelop the 102-acre site as a mixed-use property and is currently planning the project with the City of Linden.

The Linden plant was among several facilities that GM has closed on the East Coast to reduce operating costs.

PSE&G WILL BUILD $150 MILLION PLANT IN KEARNY
PSE&G Power plans to build a $150 million power plant on the Hackensack River in Kearny next to an existing generating station.

The new 138-megawatt natural gas-fired plant would be available to provide electricity in 2010 in Northern New Jersey. It is the first step by PSE&G Power, a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group, in a planned expansion of the company’s fleet of power plants.

JERSEY CITY AWARDS NEW CONTRACT TO UNITED WATER
United Water said it has been awarded a new contract to operate Jersey City’s water system for the next decade. The contract will replace one that has expired and final contract terms must receive regulatory approvals from state agencies.

United Water said the new contract will not increase rates to its customers.

HARMS WILL BE HONORED BY MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
George Harms, Founder and CEO of George Harms Construction Co. in Howell Township, will be honored by Monmouth University’s School of Business Administration with its 2008 Distinguished Business Leaders Award.

The School described Harms as “one of the most highly respected heavy highway contractors in New Jersey.” It said that Harms will be recognized at a black-tie dinner on March 5 in Woodrow Wilson Hall at Monmouth University’s campus in West Long Branch for “his outstanding leadership, integrity and service to the community during his 48 years at the helm of Harms Corporation.”

HUDSON COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR ACTION SETS FEBRUARY 29 MEETING
The Hudson County Alliance for Action will meet on Friday, February 29, to hear Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise and reports on the Secaucus Transfer and the Town of Secaucus.

The meeting to be attended by business, labor and government leaders will be held at LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 350 Route 3 West, Secaucus. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m.

DeGise will speak on “Hudson County --- Exceeding Expectation.” Robert R. Ceberio, Executive Director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, will give an update on the Secaucus Transfer and Mayor Dennis Elwell will report on the Town of Secaucus.

The Hudson Alliance is one of 13 county affiliates of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, a non-partisan and non-profit statewide coalition of over 600 business, labor, professional, academic and government organizations. Co-Chairs of the Hudson Alliance are DeGise, Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President of New Jersey City University, and Eric Boyce, President of the Hudson County Building Trades Council. To register Go Here.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
-Governor Jon Corzine submitted the following nominations to the State Senate for confirmation: David Struchman as Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs; Josh Lichtblau as Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, and Valerie N. Lawrence as Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission.
-James Johnston, P.E., R.B.P. has been named President of PMK Group, a subsidiary of Birdsall Services Group.
-Robert Gerard, will serve as Chief Marketing Officer for Birdsall Services Group.
-Shawn Laurenti announced the formation of Laurenti Consultants, which focuses on personalized service in governmental affairs and strategic planning for community relations.
-Tom Moran has resigned as Political Columnist for the Star Ledger to become the Director of Public Policy at PSE&G.

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