Courage to Connect NJ educates
the public and elected officials in New Jersey
about municipal consolidation
by merging towns into town clusters for improved efficiency and savings.

Courage to Connect NJ Celebrates Successes of 2011

and Looks Forward to a Landmark 2012

2011 Milestones

• CtoC-NJ logged 15,000 miles around New Jersey, making dozens of community presentations in 7 counties around the state, sponsored by citizens as well as county and local-elected officials.
• Gov. Christie signed legislation that made it easier for citizens to partner with local officials in an adjacent town to start a municipal consolidation campaign.
• Cherry Hill and Merchantville were granted state approval to create a study commission to study consolidation of the two municipalities.
• Citizens in Merchantville have become mentors to help  grassroots groups in other communities begin the municipal consolidation process.
• On Nov. 8^th the Princetons voted to become one town, proving New Jerseyans are willing to take bold steps to eliminate redundant government
• Scotch Plains and Fanwood became the first dual citizen groups to initiate petitions and collect enough signatures to form a municipal consolidation committee, a key step in the process.
• New Jersey’s low voter turnout in the Nov. 8^th election reduced the number of signatures required for a petition to start the consolidation process.  As few as 100 signatures may be enough in your town.  See pages 68-73 in the new Guidebook for the number.

Goals and Visions for 2012

• Scotch Plains and Fanwood will be the first consolidation application initiated by the citizens in both communities to be approved by the State.
• Four groups around New Jersey will take the first steps toward consolidation.
• The first multi-town consolidation effort will be initiated.
• New Jersey will spark consolidation movements in states across the country.

Be a part of the change.  Be a part of the solution.

Gina Genovese, Executive Director, Courage to Connect NJ

This video  ’Can New Jersey Connect?’ introduces the concept of connecting communities where multiple distinct towns share an administrative structure.  Mayor McCormac of Woodbridge Township explains how the ten towns in his township function under one government but they each maintain their own sense of community.  Interviews with residents of the township show how each neighborhood retains its own name and feel.  The film takes you to the stores of Iselin, the streets of Colonia and the Tide Watchers Club in Sewaren to show the richness and diversity of New Jersey and how we can keep that diversity without separate costly governments.