South Jersey Magazine - Moorestown / Mt. Laurel

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SJM 324 The Big Idea - FINAL_SJM Feature 3 / 25 / 24 11 : 44 AM Page 2 MORE THAN A DECADE AGO , we asked dozens of people from across the region to tell us what one thing they would do to help change South Jersey for the better . A lot has certainly changed since then , and so we wanted to revisit this topic to find out what may be the “ next big thing ” that could make a lasting impact in our community . We spoke with politicians , business leaders , heads of nonprofits and more to get a wide range of hopes and dreams for the future . The answers were thoughtful , detailed and aligned by the desire to improve the quality of life in this beautiful area we call home . T H E R E S P O N S E S “ Going to a traditional four - year needsand the needs of their loved foodinsecurity and building long - college is not the only way to make it ones . This is a big lift , but the more we termsustainability for South Jersey . By in America , and we need to end the can make South Jersey amenable to embracinga community - led vision , stigma that working with your hands is help our seniors ‘ age in place ’ , the bet - basedon mutual respect and our less important than other careers . We ter all of our communities will be . ” desireto always learn and be better , should be guiding our children to path - wecan build a thriving environment — JACLYN VEASY , MAYOR OF EVESHAM ways that fit their interests , and that for all . As we look to continue to build starts with programs like apprentice - “ Thecontinuation of efforts to thatcommunity - led vision , it’s impor - ships and pre - apprenticeships . provide a good transportation tantto elevate the voices of everyone “ Expanding registered apprentice - network , particularly public trans - inour communities — particularly ship programs in South Jersey will not portation is important . The Glassboro - thosewe serve . We’ve tried to do that only connect thousands with good - Camdenlight rail line is a good place to throughregular listening sessions paying , in - demand jobs , but will also start.Equally important is the withour neighbors . ” build out and enable our local work - enhancementof existing bus and rail — FRED WASIAK , PRESIDENT AND CEO , force to take advantage of billions in service.Similarly , a network of quality THE FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY new federal investments coming into roadsand highways is imperative . our community to rebuild roads , to “ Overall , a smart transportation “ SouthJersey is a fantastic place replace lead pipes , to build our green network will enhance economic com - tolive and work , and it could be energy economy and more . ” petitivenessin South Jersey , will pro - evenbetter if we work together to vide transportation for a growing increaseaccess to health care services . — REP . DONALD NORCROSS workforce , for college and university I’mparticularly aware of the need to “ An investment in South Jersey’s students , and will provide easy access enhancespecialized care for adults transportation networkwould tomedical resources , recreation and withspecial needs . We have the benefit the environment and the culturalactivities . ” opportunity — andthe responsibil - region’s economic growth . Imagine ity — to advocate for those who can - — MARLENE ASSELTA , PRESIDENT , SOUTHERN what could be accomplished if a light notadvocate for themselves . ” NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL rail system was extended from Cam - — DENNIS PULLIN , PRESIDENT AND CEO , den to Glassboro and even further … “ Thebiggest factor holding the VIRTUA HEALTH such as to Manhattan or D.C . Or if we regionback from future growth is extended Route 55 to the Shore , for thelack of public transportation . All “ Oneidea to change South Jersey example . The future possibilities are SouthJerseyans are forced to be forthe better ? Let’s bring the limitless , but can only be achieved relianton cars to get from point A to HadrosaurusFoulkii back to her home through smart planning . ” point B , which is getting more costly inHaddonfield . This would generate as gas prices — and potentially the gas culturaland historic tourism for the — DR . ALI HOUSHMAND , PRESIDENT , tax — rise . Rail lines are scarce and region , and link both Philadelphia’s ROWAN UNIVERSITY those that exist are rarely utilized . Bus museumssuch as The Academy of . “ Ithink if we could set up a better routesare limited and do not take res - NaturalSciences with Rowan Univer - com supportsystem for our seniors , identsto the areas needed most — job sity’sEdelman Fossil Park . In fact , tock.why thatwould make South Jersey better . sitesand tourism destinations , to notcreate an entire historic trail , utiliz - tters … As our population continues to age , name a few . The region needs new ingexisting and future transit to Shu weneed better transportation sys - masstransit options and better trans - encourageexploration and collabora - / 5 tems , better recreational opportuni - portationinfrastructure in order to tionfor the arts , culture and el71science ? ” ties , better entertainment locations , continueto grow and aprosper . ” — COLLEEN BIANCO BEZICH , ich andmore affordability of food Mand — CHRISTINA RENNA , PRESIDENT AND CEO , MAYOR OF HADDONFIELD by daily living needs due to rising fixed CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW hotoJERSEY incomes.In addition , we need sup - “ Oneidea to improve South Jersey p sit port for the caregivers of the seniors “ Strengtheningthe communities couldbe to invest in sustainable infra - Tran asthey continue to balance their own weserve is importantto reducing structureand green spaces . By NJenhanc - S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 1 2 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . 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SJM 324 The Big Idea - FINAL_SJM Feature 3 / 25 / 24 11 : 44 AM Page 3 T H E B I G I D E A : T H E R E S P O N S E S ing public transportation options and “ In the last 10 years , our region , those interested in health care profes - increasing areas dedicated to parks and [ Camden County ] in particular , sions . … I’m grateful to all our part - and recreation , South Jersey could has been a hotbed of economic activ - ners for their commitment to a reduce environmental impact , pro - ity , with large corporations and busi - healthier South Jersey . ” mote healthier lifestyles and increase nesses expanding regionally , thus cre - — AMY MANSUE , PRESIDENT AND CEO , community well - being . Such initiatives ating thousands of jobs for our resi - INSPIRA HEALTH would not only make the region more dents . In fact , to underscore this environmentally friendly , but also point , I was just notified that Lock - “ Weneed to preserve the pockets improve the quality of life for its resi - heed Martin is moving another 300 ofinterest and charm that each town dents by providing more accessible employees into the county in April . A in our region already has . Great winer - and enjoyable outdoor spaces . ” thriving economy and job market ies , restaurants and breweries , awe - contribute greatly to the overall well - some Main Streets , art galleries and — FOZIA JANJUA , MAYOR OF MOUNT LAUREL ness of our region and that is where I open space ; that’s who we are and “ During my time in South Jersey , I believe we should continue investing why we love living here . All of that in have had the privilege to meet so many our time , money and resources into to close proximity to the city or the people who put their concern for oth - enhance South Jersey . ” beach . That’s why the best idea for ers into action as essential workers , South Jersey , in fact all of New Jersey , — LOUIS CAPPELLI JR . , CAMDEN COUNTY public servants and volunteers . My is for Trenton leadership to finally COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR vision for our region is that we develop address the ridiculous property tax even more of an infrastructure for giv - “ Investin public education and issue in our state and make this won - ing back , so that South Jerseyans can trust educators . We have the best pub - derful place to live more affordable . channel their kindness and compas - lic schools in America … [ and ] The children we raise cannot afford to sion into efforts that successfully lift up thoughtful investment is how we give settle here to raise their family . And our communities . The faculty , staff and students access to the resources and our retiring generation is leaving the students of Rutgers – Camden are hard support they need . It’s how we attract a state in record numbers and taking at work to ensure access to affordable new generation of educators and retain their disposable income with them to education , quality health care , food / the talented professionals we already spend in another state . ” shelter security , social support and have in our schools . In addition to — LOU MANZO , MAYOR OF HARRISON TOWNSHIP charitable giving are all part of South investing in education , New Jersey Jersey’s future . ” needs to respect educators enough to “ Inthe past decade , South Jersey let us do our jobs . We got into this pro - has seen significant economic growth , — DR . ANTONIO TILLIS , CHANCELLOR , fession to make a difference in the lives yet the fight against poverty and RUTGERS UNIVERSITY – CAMDEN of students , and too often unnecessary inequity persists . In today’s intercon - “ Providing additional programs paperwork and bureaucracy gets in the nected world , access to quality jobs that help address social equity issues , way.When we have the time and and career opportunities is vital for such as fair access to housing , educa - resources we need to do that work , financial stability , personal fulfillment tion and health care . We continue to there’s almost no limit to what our stu - and economic growth . Overcoming do our part in providing access to dents can achieve . And when students barriers like digital literacy , trans - integrated care that takes into consid - achieve , communities flourish . ” portation and connectivity is not just eration a person’s physical , mental , a convenience but a necessity . — SEAN SPILLER , PRESIDENT , NEW JERSEY behavioral and social needs . I believe Together , by addressing these chal - EDUCATION ASSOCIATION it’s important to be purposeful lenges , we can unlock the potential of in reaching community members “ Wecan create a healthier South individuals and families , enhancing ‘ where they live , ’ so to speak , with Jersey ! With a common purpose , and their quality of life and investing in programming that includes incen - shared commitment to make incre - South Jersey’s promising future . ” tivized free vaccines , and health edu - mental steps , we can make progress . — BILL GOLDERER , PRESIDENT AND CEO , cation programs for those with lim - No single organization can do this UNITED WAY OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA AND ited English proficiency . ” important work alone , but when SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY health systems , nonprofits , busi - — AARON CHANG , PRESIDENT , nesses , academia , clergy and elected “ I’dreally like to see more walka - JEFFERSON HEALTH – EAST REGION ( NJ ) officials work together , we can suc - bleand bikeable development in “ I believe fostering a strong sense ceed . It all starts with meeting people’s South Jersey , with public gathering of community engagement , most basic needs — food , water and places at the hearts of our communi - investing in sustainable development shelter . Next , access to education and ties . Despite the growing emphasis on and preserving the rich cultural her - job training will inspire hope and con - clean energy in our state , so much itage of South Jersey will not only fidence . Then we focus on nurturing development is still centered around make it a better place to live , work and healthier lifestyles by improving cars , and ultimately , that kind of devel - stay but also create a harmonious access to nutritious foods and safe opment is just not sustainable . As a environment where residents thrive opportunities for recreation . step in that direction , we’re working to and visitors feel welcomed . ” “ Our region’s eds and meds corri - develop the Moorestown Mall into a dor has achieved tremendous success , walkable town center with residential , — LAURIE BURNS , MAYOR OF increasing access and affordability for retail , entertainment and medical WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 3 2 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 1 2 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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