November
2002
Trenton
Speaks: Opportunity is the name of the game for urban communities
Assemblywoman
Bonnie Watson Coleman, Chair, New Jersey Democratic State Committee
We
can look back into the recent past to review the conditions of
New Jersey's urban communities and assess the shortcomings and
problems that are obstacles to progress. As we look to the challenges
of the future to determine what needs to be done to allow urban
residents to share in the new opportunities that progress will
offer, we must not allow ourselves to dwell only on the problems.
We have to be open-minded and honest about the shortcomings and
needs, but we can't overlook our achievements.
We
have as much to learn from our success stories as we do from our
shortcomings. Remembering our achievements also reminds us to
be both proud and humble; proud of what we accomplished by working
together and humble in the knowledge that there is no one person
who can claim full credit. The most telling factor is that when
people are given fair opportunities for achievement and success,
they have shown the desire and ability to realize success.
As
a representative of the people in the New Jersey General Assembly,
I have a certain perspective about Trenton and its neighboring
communities, looking at the world from the same vantage point
as everyone who lives here. The fact that these good people have
allowed me to represent them in government is a privilege that
I never take for granted. This has special meaning to me because
I am following in the footsteps of my father, who served in the
State Legislature with real honor. He was an example for so many,
including me.
As
the chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, I have a perspective
that looks at Trenton, the extended communities and the state
as a whole, in terms of the economic factors. While this requires
a cold eye when evaluating finances, I don't fool myself for a
minute in the knowledge that local finances have a real life impact
on the people who live and work here.
As
the chairwoman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee I
have another dimension added to my perspective, a dimension that
is more political. I am honored to have been selected by Governor
James E. McGreevey and the Democratic Party to serve in this position.
For me, the Democratic Party is more than politics. Historically,
the party has championed noble causes and has fought for the needs
of the disadvantaged in a way that has improved the quality of
life for generations of Americans.
Then,
as a lifelong resident of the area, as someone who has witnessed
and experienced all the ups and downs of the Trenton area I have
a personal bond that is the same, I am sure, as so many others
who have made this community home. We have had so much to be proud
of in this community. Of course, we also have much that we can
do to keep alive the glory of the Trenton area.
If
there is one thing that needs to be done-if I had to pick one
word that best encapsulates what we need in order to realize the
great potential of the Trenton area and the people who live or
work here it would be opportunity.
Opportunity
in the broadest sense of the word. Opportunities that reach out
to everyone. Opportunities that extend to so many different areas
of our lives. Opportunities that allow everyone to realize their
God-given potential.
The
residents of urban communities should have the opportunity to
be safe and secure in their homes and in their neighborhoods,
free from crime and danger. We have made great strides in this
area in recent years. Police departments have been very successful
in the use of community policing, where officers are directly
engaged in the community, getting to know residents and business
people, not just criminals and victims. Local residents and civic
groups have also had a good hand in preventing crime by working
hard to bring everyone together in a real community.
The
next step for making urban communities safer is to have common
sense gun control laws. There are specific actions that will help
cut down on the proliferation of dangerous guns, such as closing
the loophole that allows for the unregulated sale of firearms
at gun shows. There is also much promise in the use of "smart
gun" technologies that can cut down on the illegal use of
guns and prevent accidents, especially those that occur with children.
I
also believe that everyone who lives in urban communities should
have the opportunity for a good job with a living wage. We have
accomplished a lot by attracting businesses to the cities with
tax incentives and through partnerships with government. The next
challenge, one that we have worked towards for a long time but
know takes on even greater significance, is educational opportunities.
New technologies, an international economy, information-based
businesses and stronger competition all make educational improvements
essential. We have made real strides in improving education. But
we need to do so much more. Modern school facilities, smaller
classes, qualified teachers, more accountability for students,
teachers and administrators are all needed.
The opportunity to access health care services and, when needed,
medical treatment or prevention, tops the list of needs, but it
also tops the list of expensive things that are getting further
out of reach to senior citizens and working families. On this
issue more than any, the differences between the Democratic and
Republican parties is stark. We want a prescription drug benefit
available to all Medicare recipients and the Republicans do not.
We want to make medicine more affordable for everyone while they
side more with the drug companies. We want a "Bill of Rights"
for HMO's so that patients get the best care as determined by
doctors, not by accountants.
People
should also have the opportunity for affordable housing. We have
made strides on this, but a continued partnership with the federal
government is the key to making more homes more affordable.
We
also have to face head on the issue of "environmental racism."
Which has an impact on the health of urban residents, the ability
to revitalize cities and the attractiveness of these communities
to potential homeowners. Dumping waste materials in or around
cities and locating environmentally-damaging facilities in poorer
communities is not only unfair, it undercuts our ability to revitalize
these neighborhoods.
This past year has been a time of triumph for Democrats in New
Jersey. The Democratic Party has been more unified and stronger
than ever in its history. We elected a Democratic governor after
eight years of a Republican holding the office. We took control
of the Assembly and shared control of the Senate after a decade
of Republican dominance.
We
are going to meet the challenges before us by staying true to
the core values of the Democratic Party. We are going to live
up to the faith of the voters. And we are going to do it responsibly
and fairly.
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