An elected Committeewoman in the Township of Edgewater Park since 2010, Aimee Belgard also serves as liaison to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee and on the Edgewater Park Planning Board. Aimee is a trial and appellate litigator and practices law throughout New Jersey. She is the Second Vice President of the Board of the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division and a Board Member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network where she has served on the governance and income development committees. Aimee is also a member of the Riverfront Advisory Board of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. She is also an active member of Neighborhood Watch. In 2006 Aimee was named “One of Ten People Who Made a Difference in Burlington County” by the Burlington County Times. Recently, Aimee was presented with the Capitol Dome Award by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for her outstanding public policy achievements and leadership on legislative issues in the fight against cancer and in 2012 the New Jersey General Assembly recognized Aimee as an Outstanding Woman for her volunteer leadership and achievements. She resides in Burlington County with her husband Bill, a small business owner, and their two school-aged sons.

A semi-retired healthcare administrator living in Southampton, Joanne Schwartz has been an active volunteer for a large number of community agencies and services. She was an Emergency Medical Technician for 20 years with both the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad and the Mt. Laurel Emergency Squad, the latter of where, she held the distinction of having been named a life member. She was elected Commissioner of the Mt. Laurel Fire Department and served  as its President, Vice President and Clerk. She is committed to serving the needs of the elderly and developmentally disabled and is a long-time volunteer of the New Lisbon Developmental Center where she also serves as Vice President of its Board of Governors. During her long career, she has been an active member and officer of many community agencies which service the poor and disabled. She has received numerous community service and volunteer awards. She has also been an adjunct faculty member of Burlington County College and Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and was a CPR Instructor. She currently serves as a member of the New Jersey Dietary Managers Association and is on a committee of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. She has been a speaker to area groups on issues facing Caregivers.

This annual event is a great opportunity for democrats from across the county to gather, connect, and get energized about the upcoming election cycle. With President Obama’s re-election campaign, and the candidacy of Shelly Adler, there’s even more to be excited about.

This year, the dinner will be hosted by The Merion Caterers at 1901 Route 130 South in Cinnaminson, NJ 08077. Cocktail Hour (cash bar) will run from 6 to 7pm, followed by the buffet dinner from 7pm to 10pm.

The cost $50 per person and please make Checks payable to:

Burlington County Democratic Committee
C/O Jefferson Jackson Dinner
P.O Box 921
Delran NJ 08075

For any questions, please contact Gail Cook at: drggcook@comcast.net

We look forward to seeing you there!

Among the nearly 150 municipal, business, nonprofit and civic leaders who attended the “Forum on First Suburbs, Inclusion, Sustainability and Economic Growth” on Monday at the White House were Gail Cook, mayor of Beverly and a Democratic candidate for the 7th District Senate; Willingboro Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Jennings; and Pemberton Township Councilwoman Diane Stinney.

“It was inspiring,” said Cook, who was invited to attend the forum by a representative from the Collingswood-based New Jersey Regional Coalition.

“This started out as a grass-roots effort, but now we’re really working toward doing something about these issues,” she said.

The participants arrived Sunday at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel for a reception and on Monday took part in a half-day forum featuring national experts, including John Powell, executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University; Ray LaHood, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation; David Rusk, author of “Cities Without Suburbs”; and Myron Orfield, executive director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Race and Poverty and a fellow at the Brookings Institute in Washington.

The forum focused on rejuvenating “first suburbs,” which are older, developed communities grappling with issues associated with urban disinvestment. Panel topics included immigration, local government, race, schools, business, jobs and the environment, and local leaders discussed what they are doing to build coalitions to advance sustainability and economic growth.

Willingboro and Beverly were among the “first suburbs” that Orfield mentioned in his presentation, which struck a chord with both Jennings and Cook.

Jennings said that while things like unemployment are beyond her control, the township has tried to handle challenges through foreclosure workshops, individual counseling, neighborhood stabilization efforts and home rehabilitation programs.

“We’re doing so many things to make sure that, through bad economic times, Willingboro continues to grow,” she said.

State cutbacks are straining the quality of life and making budgets a “yearly struggle” for small cities such as Beverly, according to Cook.

She said the city has had to “do more with less” and has cut spending to maintain critical services for residents.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43842991/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_pa_nj/t/local-municipal-leaders-included-white-house-forum-older-suburbs/?fb_ref=story_text&fb_source=home_oneline

For more information, contact 856-757-5353.  Please RSVP by email to richard_locklear@menendez.senate.gov

Tickets are $100, and include gourmet buffet, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Advance sales only, and tickets are limited, so visit City Hall,
525 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
or call Lisa Schiller at 609 386 0200, Ext. 114.

To purchase tickets on-line (with convenience fee), please click on the following link: Tickets.

Make checks to City of Burlington (in memo line, please write Recreation Trust).

Proceeds benefit the City of Burlington’s Great Adventure Summer Work Program.Even if you can’t attend, donations are appreciated for this vital program.

Wisniewski addressed the faithful at the annual Burlington County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Cinnaminson.  See video here and read more at BlueJersey.com:

(Mt. Laurel) Burlington County Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Andl announced that Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart will seek re-election running with candidate for Freeholder Machell Still-Pettis and candidate for Surrogate Sander Friedman.

From Shamong Twp, Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart has served the people of Burlington County since her election in 2008 and as a township committeewoman served the people of Shamong Township for 14 years.  As Freeholder, she served as the Director of Health and Human Services, Board of Social Services, Buttonwood Hospital, Advisory Council on Women, HazMat and the Medical Examiner, currently serves as the Director of Buttonwood Hospital and Medical Services, Board of Elections and is a member of the County’s Community Emergency Response Team, in addition to her many government certifications, she holds both a private detective and real estate license.

“I am proud of the work that has been done standing up to provide a voice for those that are often not spoken for and look forward to continuing the fight to make Burlington County more accountable, affordable and accessible.” said Reinhart.  “Our team recognizes the need to be responsible stewards for the taxpayers, county employees and explore cost savings while still delivering quality services for the residents,” said Reinhart. “We need to push for greater transparency, to shine a light on and expose how the Republicans are operating an un-elected shadow government in Burlington County.”

Machell Still-Pettis of Westampton serves as the Program Director of Extended Hand Ministries in Mount Holly and the Founder/Commissioner of the RV Chiefs Youth Football and Cheerleading Program of Westampton. Her experience in law enforcement, business management and non-profit organizations provide her with a unique perspective to not only recognize and repair the cracks that exist in our government, but determine how to assist those who have already fallen through them in Burlington County.

“Our team recognizes the need to be responsible stewards for the taxpayers and explore cost savings while still delivering quality services for the residents,” said Still-Pettis. “We need to push for greater transparency, to shine a light and expose how the Republicans are operating government in Burlington County.”

Sander Friedman of Medford is an accomplished general practitioner who has worked in and around Burlington County since 1994. Mr. Friedman was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Lawyers of the Year for 2010 and will seek the position of County Surrogate.

“We must be creative and innovative in identifying new methods to deliver the services our residents need in these times of budget tightening,” said Friedman. “The office of the Surrogate is not immune from the economic realities we face. We must become more efficient and effective in assisting the people of Burlington County.”

Chairman Joe Andl:

“John was a wonderful and intelligent man who loved his country and his family.  He answered the call and served the people tirelessly with integrity and honor.  He was a statesman, a friend, and will be missed.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

State Party Chairman John Wisniewski:

“John always fought for what he believed in and I was proud to have called him a colleague, a friend and a fellow Democrat. His commitment to his community and our state was beyond measure and his legacy will live on through his good works. His passing has to make you stop and think about the pace at which we all live and the life we miss while doing it. He will be sorely missed.”

Congressman Rob Andrews:

“Camille and I and our entire family are deeply saddened by the news of John’s passing,” U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, D-1st of Haddon Heights, Adler’s former congressional colleague and friend since high school, said Monday after the news broke. “Our prayers and thoughts are with his devoted family. His love for public service made a positive impact on our community that will far outlast his years with us, which were far too short.”

The event will be held on April 28, 2011 at Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson at 6pm.

Our Guest Speaker for the event is NJ Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski

Join Burlington County Democratic Chairman Joseph Andl with Congressman Rob Andrews,
Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Assemblyman Jack Conners and Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart.

Our Guest Speaker for this event will be New Jersey
Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski.

6pm-7pm Cocktail Hour (cash bar)
7-10pm Buffet Dinner
Cost $50 per person

Dinner Sponsor: $2,500
Includes 4 tickets plus advertisement

Please Make Checks payable to
Burlington County Democratic Committee
C/O Jefferson Jackson Dinner
P.O.Box 921
Delran, NJ 08075