Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters will be sworn in as the new President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities on Thursday, November 21st. Walters will serve a one-year term of the state’s leading organization that presents local municipalities.
“It’s truly an honor to serve as the President of this statewide organization as government enters a very challenging year”, Walters said. “I look forward to representing Stone Harbor, Cape May County, and all municipal governments as we continue important conversations in Trenton”.
Walters is being sworn in as the new President of the NJLOM during its annual business meeting at the Sheraton in Atlantic City. She has been involved in League activities, boards, and leadership since she first was elected Mayor of Stone Harbor in 1996. Walters has served the Borough as Mayor continually since her election. Prior to becoming Mayor of Stone Harbor, Walters served on the Stone Harbor Board of Education for 11 years.
Her duties as President of the League of Municipalities will include meetings with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State legislators, and municipal officials. Walters will be making frequent trips to Trenton as she advocates in behalf of the League and local municipalities on various issues and challenges that face local communities throughout the State of New Jersey.
“There is no doubt that the number one issue facing local communities is property taxes”, Walters said. “We need to work together and share ideas on how we can overcome obstacles, like civil service, that stand in the way of consolidation and shared services. Stone Harbor has successfully negotiated shared services agreements that improve services while saving money, and statewide, we can do better”.
One of the primary focuses of this year’s annual conference in Atlantic City is the statewide recovery from Hurricane Sandy. “I think it’s beneficial for the League to have a President from a shore community in 2014 as the entire State continues its recovery from the storm”, Walters said. “Governor Christie has done a tremendous job securing various financial aid for our towns. I want to advocate in Trenton for additional tourism promotion and beach nourishment dollars that will accelerate New Jersey’s economy”.
In 2002, Walters was named the President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and travelled to virtually every county in the State to meet with Mayors in dozens of communities. She plans to visit many more communities in New Jersey to create solutions to issues facing municipal governments.
“I want to thank the Stone Harbor Borough Council, employees, and residents for their support and encouragement as I accept this challenge in the coming year”, Walters said. “It is my goal to represent the Borough and our entire county to the best of my ability as we embrace a proactive effort to reduce property taxes and improve the level of service we provide to the residents of the State of New Jersey”.
A special ceremony will be planned in December at the Reeds of Shelter Haven in Stone Harbor where Walters will receive her ceremonial oath of office as President.
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities is a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government through pooling information resources and brain power. It is authorized by State Statute and since 1915, has been serving local officials throughout the Garden State. All 565 municipalities are members of the League. Over 560 mayors and 13,000 elected and appointed officials of member municipalities are entitled to all of the services and privileges of the League.
