ALLIANCE CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHTS NEW JERSEY’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Before a capacity audience of 400 and with major media coverage, a statewide conference hosted by the Alliance for Action spelled out in clear and dramatic fashion New Jersey’s infrastructure needs.

The highlight was a report card by the New Jersey Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. It awarded dismal grades to nine different types of infrastructure --- the highest was a C-plus given to energy. Bridges, highways, airports and sewers all received grades of D, dams and parks/recreation were awarded C-minus. Drinking water and ports and navigable waterways, each scored C.

Bradley Abelow, Governor Jon Corzine’s chief of staff, asserted that those infrastructure grades are “unacceptable.” State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri pointed to the bridge collapse in Minneapolis as what happens with a failure to invest in infrastructure.

To meet its infrastructure needs, Abelow declared, the state must come up with new ways to pay for them.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem was asked by reporters about increasing the state gasoline tax, and how much it would take to pay for the entire gamut of infrastructure needs outlined at the conference. He responded that it would require an increase of about 30 cents. Beachem stressed however that the Alliance awaits Governor Corzine’s funding plan or any other feasible proposals put forth to adequately fund New Jersey’s infrastructure needs.

Abelow also said a “multiplicity” of approaches will be needed to pay down state debt and invest in infrastructure needs.

Beachem concluded: “For well over a decade, legislators from both political parties have used fiscal gimmicks to pay for infrastructure investments in New Jersey. The old ways of funding these infrastructure needs must be revisited and revised by the Legislature and State Administration.”

$800 MILLION TO BE BORROWED BY SCHOOL BUILDERS
State officials approved plans to borrow $800 million to finance the ongoing public schools construction program in Newark and other needy communities. The move endorsed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will cover the school construction program’s expenses for about eight months.

When the 30-year bonds are issued in October, the schools construction program will have used all but $1.7 billion of the $8.6 billion the Legislature authorized it to borrow. The New Jersey Schools Development Authority has identified 27 projects that will consume the balance of the funds.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY WANTS PROGRESS REPORT FROM DOT
Middlesex County has pressed the State Department of Transportation for a status report on 12 major roads and improvement projects. Former Congressman Robert Roe, a consultant to the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, said many of the projects are in the design phase and “we want to see what’s being done.”

The list of projects was put together by a special committee of county planning, engineering and improvement authority personnel. They include the proposed $6.8 million widening of Route 1 in South Brunswick, a $10 million continuation of Route 18 improvements in New Brunswick and a $6.7 million upgrade to the bus station facilities and network in South Amboy.

CORPORATE ACQUISITIONS ARE ANNOUNCED
-GoAmerica Inc., a Hackensack communications provider, bought Hands On Video Relay Services for $69 million in cash and stock. GoAmerica sells services that allow deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled persons to communicate by telephone. Hands On provides similar services through the internet.

-Covanta Holding Corp. of Fairfield has agreed to a $61 million purchase of the operating businesses of Energy/Answers Corp., an Albany, NY –based waste management company.

GALE BEGINS OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN MORRIS
Construction of a new office building in Morris County has begun by the Gale Real Estate Services Company of Roseland, a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation.

The site is One Jefferson Road at the Center of Morris County campus in Parsippany will consist of a three-story office building with 100,000 square feet of headquarters-suitable space. It will be ready for tenant occupancy in the third quarter of 2008.

BINDER MACHINERY CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Binder Machinery will celebrate its 50th anniversary customer appreciation day on Thursday, October 4, 2007, in South Plainfield. The following Thursday, October 11, Binder will celebrate its 50th birthday at the grand opening of its new facility in Winslow, NJ.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
State Senator Joseph Doria will be appointed by Governor Corzine as State Commissioner of Community Affairs. He will resign from the Senate and as Mayor of Bayonne. He will succeed Susan Bass Levin, the new Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Mark J. Schiffman has joined Urbitran Associates, Inc. as Senior Vice President.

ALLIANCE IN ACTION
EAGLE AWARDS DINNER
The New Jersey Alliance for Action’s Eagle Awards Dinner will be held on Wednesday, October 17, at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick.
To register Go Here .

REGISTER NOW FOR THE ANNUAL FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC
The 4th annual Golf Classic of the Foundation of the New Jersey Alliance for Action has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 18 at Eagle Oaks Golf Club, Farmingdale.
To reserve your space, call (732) 225-1180 or to register Go Here .

To tell us what you think of our on-line news Go Here.

Back to Online News Home Page