Some League sessions were SRO: Former governors sharing their thoughts on Christie. Jon Bramnick doing stand up comedy. Legislative leadership being taken down by Jersey Shore mayors on lingering Sandy issues.
The 2014 NJSLM conference certainly lived up to its rep and theme: Partnership for Prosperity.
However, some sessions were not so well attended.
Whether it was the location (small room on sixth floor) or subject matter or the personalities on the panel. These sessions drew crowds like the panelists had just returned West Africa or were the Mets playing an intra squad game or they were showing an Abe Vigoda Film Festival: Top Ten Least Attended League Conference Sessions.
10- So, You Think You Can Govern?
Panel includes Peter Shapiro, Ray Bateman, and Barbara Buono sharing their advice on what they would have done had they won the keys to Drumthwacket.
9- One on One on One with Steve Adubato
The pseudo-popular NJTV host interviews himself in this sit-down show with tough probing questions, snappy comeback, and amusing <yawn> anecdotes.
8- Last Washington Standing!
Mayors of all the New Jersey towns, townships and boroughs named after the first president compete to see who will be able to keep the name. The winner will go on to compete nationally on the new reality show, “Washington Slept Where??”, starting in 2015 on Bravo.
7- Hey, Abbott!
Christine Costello (daughter of the famous Paterson born comedian) and the Lou Costello Statue from Paterson talk at length about Abbott districts in New Jersey and Bud Abbott.
6- Let’s Spend the Night (and Day) Together: Did merging help your town cut municipal costs?
Panelists include mayors from the newly merged towns of Wayne-Newton; (Wayne & Newton)
Ho-Ho-Ho (Hoboken & Ho-Ho-Kus); Garth-Brooks (Applegarth & Boundbrook) and Hil-Airy-Clinton (Hillsborough, Mount Airy & Clinton).
5-Here Comes Canadian Boo Boo:
What can New Jersey mayors learn from Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? The former mayor from the Canadian Queen City joins us on a special presentation. [BYOB].
4- A Case Study of Towns: Metuchen, Hardwick, Long Branch, Bay Head, Fort Dix, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Mount Olive and Succasunna.
Do sexually suggestive town names help lower your property taxes? Students at the
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy spent the last year researching this very important issue,
and report the results. Clothing optional.
3- Reality Bites Back: Is your town ready for its own TV reality show?
From the Jersey Shore to Cake Boss to The Real Housewives of New Jersey to Jerseylicious, The Garden State is becoming an oasis for reality shows. Learn how the unique happenings in your town can be monetized on TV.
2- A Special Session on New Jersey Ethics: Historic Reenactments of NJ Most Corrupt Politicians.
Live Actors play Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague, Newark Mayor Hugh Addonizio, and special guest Boardwalk Empire’s Nucky Johnson in a rollicking and fun Q & A.
1- The Smells of Garden State: From the Delaware River to the Elizabeth River.
New Jersey’s top polluting corporations bring smell samples for audience members to experience. Close your eyes and enjoy the pungent scents near Elizabeth on the NJ Turnpike or the sewage plants on the Delaware River in Camden.
