Tony Mack for Mayor
Press Conference
Trenton Free Public Library 120 Academy Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 January 04, 2010, 12:15pm
Mack will Bring Jobs Back The slogan "Trenton Makes, the World Takes" has taken on an alternate, much worse meaning, in recent years. Trenton makes, but outsiders do not just take, they exploit. They exploit the jobs, exploit the residents, they exploit City Hall. I am putting the exploiters on notice: as Mayor, those days will be over. I have a history of fighting outsiders and machines that take advantage of Trenton. People, who know my political background, and the fights I have fought, can attest to that fact. Today, I will be presenting four concrete steps I will take as mayor that will stop some of those who would exploit us. But these policies will have the added bonus of getting our residents back to work. And Trenton needs to get back to work; for many, it is not only a necessity, but brings with it a sense of pride that can lift up this city. Right now, 1 in 6 eligible people are unemployed in Trenton, and 1 in 5 families live below the poverty line. That cannot continue. With that, I announce these five major policy platforms:
(1) I will push the new leadership in the Governor's Office, Senate, and Assembly
to create special legislation for Trenton, given our position as the capital, which would impose residency requirements on all new hires within our Police & Fire Departments and school system. If you want to work for Trenton, you have to live in Trenton. One of the most fundamental efforts we must embark upon is to: attract, rebuild, and retain a middle class. I have the temperament to negotiate with the state government to make this happen. And as the former President of AFSCME Local 2281, I am also best qualified to sit down at the table with union leaders to make this a reality.
1
Tony Mack for Mayor
Press Conference
Trenton Free Public Library 120 Academy Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 January 04, 2010, 12:15pm
(2) I will continue to fight and resist privatization of city departments whenever
possible. More importantly, let me make myself very clear; NO PART of the Department of Inspections will be privatized. The men and women within this department provide a valuable service and turning this power over to a private company whose sole objective is profit is bad business for the City.
(3) I will end, as quickly as can be accomplished, at least part of the $5 million in
outsourcing contracts in the budget, listed as "Professional Services/Consulting." Not only are these tax dollars that goes to businesses far outside of the city, they are contracts that for so long have been traded back and forth for political capital amongst power brokers in the county and state. I challenge the assertion that there is not enough talent in these 7.5 squares miles to meet at least some of those contracts. Where there is not that talent, I will seek it out and bring them here to live. More importantly we will work with existing education institutions to provide residents with the training they need to meet the demands of local and regional businesses. That is my promise.
(4) I will work to guarantee a significant proportion of contracts and jobs for the
building and infrastructure projects that are going to happen in Trenton are reserved for Trenton businesses and residents. There has been discussion for years about rebuilding or renovating Trenton Central High School, Miller Homes, and the rerouting of Route 29. We are talking about $400 million dollars or more of future investment here. City Hall, under my leadership, will take on the mission to make these projects happen, guarantee a spot for Trenton workers in these projects, and prepare laborers and contractors for the skills they need to work at these sites.
(5) All men and women who live and work in Trenton should have an opportunity
to better educate themselves and increase their stock in the American Dream. Listen to these statistics: There are about 24,000 state employees, 3,000 Capital Health Systems employees’ 2,000 school system employees, 1,700 City employees, and 1,600
2
Tony Mack for Mayor
Press Conference
Trenton Free Public Library 120 Academy Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 January 04, 2010, 12:15pm
county employees. Within the first 100 Days of my administration, partnering with City Council, I will establish an Educational Trust Fund. The primary focus of this commission is to have serious discussions with public and private college/universities within our state about making Trenton a destination to consider as they expand their campuses and course offerings. With over 32,000 workers between our five largest employers and a surplus of abandoned commercial properties and land; I would say this is an opportunity that can not be passed by. This is an opportunity for all Trentonians that will be my top priority. With college/universities offering educational training, this will surely extend the hours of downtown, as government workers take evening classes. We will also see a dramatic reduction in abandoned properties and land as they are rehabbed to meet the needs of these education institutions. So, in closing I have a message for Trenton Residents; MACK WILL BRING JOBS BACK.
3