January
2003
Trenton's
New Year's Resolutions 2003
Trenton and Mercer's leaders speak up on what's up for the upcoming
year
A body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by
an
outside
force. So Isaac Newton told us, and he figured it out somehow
without the aid of a ThinkPad, a PowerBook, or even a Palm Pilot.
A city in motion tends to stay in motion, unless beset by apathy
and neglect. That's Urban Development's First Law, or it should
be, so it says here. From Annapolis to Center City Philadelphia
and from Atlanta to Portland, Ore., U.S. cities have benefited
from the watchful eye of the people who work there, live there
and play there.
Baltimore
doesn't re-create itself as a tourist destination unless people
with vision hire people with vision to reorient the future of
one of the largest cities in the country. Attracting weekends
full of visitors is one way to go. Eensuring that storefronts
are filled, that new entrepreneurs and artists and chefs are intrigued,
that businesspeople and conference organizers and concert-goers
are enthralled-that's what's the business of a city that wants
to keep on ticking.
Beginning with this edition, and throughout the year 2003, the
Trenton Downtowner resolves to keep at least one eye, and perhaps
three or four, on what's going on around the capital in terms
of progress, from the promised influx of commerce on South Warren
to the mysteriously unimproved Trenton Foundry. From the American
Corners Building to the Battle Monument, we are looking for signs
that the City is on the right track, that its leaders in both
the public and private sectors have got their hands on the wheel
and gas in the tank.
This month we have asked some of those leaders from Trenton and
Mercer County to provide us with their New Year's Resolutions.
In their words, below you'll find just some of the many projects
that are on their dockets for 2003 and how they and their organizations
are going to accomplish them.
Not all of our contributors speak for all of our readers; editorially
speaking, the Trenton Downtowner does not endorse the opinions
and statements contained herein. However, we have encouraged each
writer to write in his or her own voice, speak his or her mind,
and we believe that the opening of more dialogues among the people
of Trenton will be one of the keys to unlocking the city's potential
(there, your first cliché for 2003).
This
story could easily have contained the contributions of hundreds
of people who are invaluable to Trenton; but this month, 10 are
getting the chance to share. We welcome continuing correspondence
and feedback from others with vision who have something to share
with the community.
When the complaints you hear walking the streets sound familiar,
that's the sign of a stagnating population. In cities where progress
is tangible, there's plenty of complaining going on, but the difference
is that people are grousing about new things, not the same old
problems. To change this for the better, we must all work hard
for Trenton.
Not
everyone has to play mayor, or even Good Samaritan, but even if
you never offer to help a homeless person to a shelter, you can
at least spend your $5 of lunch money at some of the local establishments.
You can get your flowers and gifts downtown instead of on the
way out of town, you can fill your prescriptions here, catch a
show here. I promise you that not a single person in Mercer County
can claim that Trenton did not host at least one event that, if
they had attended it, it would have entertained them.
The
key part of the equation is getting people to want to come and
be entertained. Believe us, they'll be rewarded well beyond a
good show, a delicious meal or a convenient stop-and-shop op.
A thank you goes to our contributors below, and a wish for a Happy
New Year for everyone in and around the City of Trenton. Let's
make this a great one. Send us e-mail at editor@trentondowntowner.com.
Dr.
James Lytle, superintendent, Trenton Public Schools
In
the coming year the Trenton Public Schools anticipate that almost
$300,000 in construction projects will begin at schools and locations
across the city. We are building new schools in the Roebling Complex,
on Hanover Street across from Mercer County Community College
Kerney Campus, at M.L. King (formerly Junior 1) and Jefferson
Schools, and at the Kilmer School site.
Trenton
High will begin a five-year, $100 million rehabilitation project
(with Mill Hill's John Hatch as lead architect), and additions
will be built at Gregory and Mott Schools. Parker School will
be closed for two years while it is completely rebuilt.
Together
these projects will change the face of the Trenton Public Schools,
and they represent the largest single construction project in
Trenton history. Working with the mayor, our legislative delegation,
local business representatives, and members of the clergy, we
want these projects to provide not only new schools, but business
and employment opportunities for the Trenton community.
Lucy
Walter, chairman, Mercer County Board of Freeholders
This
year the Freeholder Board will site a high-technology high school
in Trenton so that the youth of Mercer County can reap the benefits
of this first-class facility. We will continue to actively seek
businesses that will provide livable wages and benefits to our
residents. We will establish a County Office of Health and the
best senior transportation network in New Jersey.
We
will control tax increases by making sure money is managed and
expenditures are worth the cost. We will listen to you and be
a forum for your concerns.
Have
a happy and healthy New Year, and come to the Freeholder Meetings,
we would love to see and hear from all of you.
Cathy
Frank-White, president of the board, Mercer County 
Chamber
of Commerce
"To
grow towards our future, we must draw strength from the roots
of our past." As I plan what I want to do differently in
2003, I must reflect on my resolutions last year and see why I
did not keep my promises to myself. Professionally, as President
of the Greater Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, I want to do
more to improve the benefits to help our members. In these hard
economic times, our members need more individual assistance from
the Chamber. I resolve in 2003 to go out to the troubled businesses
and encourage them to stay afloat until we see the light at the
end of the tunnel, hopefully during the second half of 2003.
Most
importantly, I will encourage members to support other members.
Personally, I want to take more time to exercise my body and relax
my mind so that I am better fit for the next year to keep up with
the challenges that lie ahead.
Robert
Prunetti, Mercer County Executive
As
we move into 2003, Mercer County is positioned to be a leader
in re-energizing New Jersey's economy. In the coming new year,
we at the county are resolved to improving upon our strong economic
standing while providing services and protecting the character
of all our communities to ensure the best quality of life for
our residents.
This
year we will build upon our past successes in our capital city
to further strengthen our county and regional economy. Both Waterfront
Park and the Sovereign Bank Arena have worked to change the perception
of Trenton and bring new private investment back to the city.
By the end of next year, Manex Entertainment, a movie production
firm know for its work on The Matrix, will break ground on its
East Coast headquarters in the Roebling Complex and bring our
county into the billion-dollar movie industry.
Similarly,
we will continue to protect our county's quality of life by preserving
open space, maintaining a first-class park system, and working
to reduce traffic congestion throughout the county.
Our
never-ending goal is to ensure Mercer County remains attractive
for families and businesses to call home. I am optimistic that
2003 will be a tremendous year for Mercer County thanks to all
the hardworking families that continue to make our county a great
place to live and work. On behalf of all county employees, let
me wish you a happy and healthy New Year.
Dr.
George A. Pruitt, president, Thomas Edison State College 
Throughout
its history, Thomas Edison State College has been committed in
its support of the City of Trenton. The College was a founding
member of the Economic Development Corporation of Trenton, and
more recently has sponsored many Trenton-centered initiatives
through its John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy. Chief
among these are the Institute's work with the New Jersey Urban
Mayors' Association and with Leadership Trenton, a program that
prepares individuals for civic involvement to improve the quality
of life for Trenton citizens.
The
College is also looking toward its future in the city as it contemplates
expanding its physical presence through the acquisition or construction
of yet another building in the Capital area. Thomas Edison State
College is a proud citizen of the City of Trenton, and our commitment
to our home will continue for many years to come.
Pastor
Darrell L. Armstrong, Shiloh Baptist Church
The
end of the year is always a time to reflect and project. As I
project, I try to remember the Biblical injunction that "faith
without works is dead" (James 2:20). Therefore, I resolve
to "project" my faith and "direct" my works
toward the following goals and objectives:
·
To preach, teach and live the gospel of Jesus the Christ more
fervently and pointedly and prayerfully convict more people towards
God;
· To strengthen the knowledge of, respect for and the application
of the Christian scriptures among Shiloh Baptist Church members
and residents of the Greater Trenton community;
· To increase the effectiveness and service of the Capital
Corridor Community Development Corporation, a faith-based nonprofit
which shares the mission and vision of the Shiloh Baptist Church;
· To encourage Gov. James McGreevy and the State of New
Jersey to develop a statewide initiative centering on healthy
marriage promotion and family wellness
· To partner with fellow pastors, ministers, priests, imams,
rabbis and other faith-based leaders in forming the Mercer County
Interfaith Council (MCIC) whose purpose will be to promote greater
dialogue and understanding among people of differing faiths
· To love my wife more profoundly and to creatively elongate
our honeymoon for another year (08-31-02 until…)!
Again,
I sincerely THANK YOU for the opportunity to submit these thoughts
and challenge your readers to love God and love their neighbor!
Matt
Bergheiser, director, Trenton Downtown Association 
Artists
and entrepreneurs are rare and special creatures with much in
common, not the least of which being that, in 2003, both groups
will be pursued with vigor by TDA for downtown Trenton. Artists
and entrepreneurs alike bring creative energy to downtown streets,
patronize restaurants and shops on evenings and weekends and,
almost by nature, cluster with other creative-minded individuals.
Cities, in general, and downtowns, in particular, thrive when
artists and entrepreneurs set up shop in previously vacant space.
In 2003, TDA and the Trenton Arts Connection will bring 20 artist
studios to a formerly vacant building on East Hanover Street.
And, working in partnership with MTAACC and the Trenton Business
and Technology Center, TDA will foster a greater emphasis on entrepreneurship
downtown by continuing to attract small businesses and by providing
counseling to start-up firms. In addition, the launch of the Greater
Trenton Entrepreneurs' Connection will bring regional entrepreneurial
networking events and nationally known entrepreneurs to Trenton.
Imagine
if we could have Trenton Small Business Week every week. What
if entrepreneurs sought out Trenton as a place to begin their
ventures? Why can't we have a dozen galleries, artist studio buildings,
and live-work spaces downtown? TDA hopes that these tangible projects
in 2003 will be catalysts for other like-minded projects, and
will continue to foster the rise of a creative class of artists
and entrepreneurs in downtown Trenton.
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