First Suburbs Unite

From the Star Ledger:

'First suburbs' are finding strength in numbers

They are described as the "first suburbs," towns that sprang up along the borders of New Jersey's cities in the past century and a half.

They include West Orange, Caldwell, East Orange, Maplewood, Rahway, Franklin, Parsippany and over 90 others. Half of the state's population lives in these towns or in the neighboring cities.

Most are fully developed and tax-stressed. Their school systems are financially strained, their housing, roads and sewers are aging, their business districts fading and their population is becoming increasingly diverse racially and economically.

What they do not have, in the view of people who want to see these towns prosper, is one voice. A voice that can shout for the attention of the state and federal government and business.
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"For decades, the state has concentrated on developing rural and exurban areas and on redevelopment in urban areas," said Michelle Loxton, an OPEN Society spokeswoman. "Comparable public sector reinvestment has not been focused on older developed communities."
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He said first suburbs cannot dig themselves out or stop the cycle of decline once it begins.

"They simply do not receive the attention the center cities have justifiably deserved in this country for sometime," Puentes said. "They do deserve attention because they do need assistance."
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Among the towns that are either joining the coalition or have been asked to consider it are: Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Montclair, Nutley, South Orange, West Caldwell, Highland Park, Spotswood, Clark, Cranford, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Plainfield, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Hamilton, Hightstown, Hopewell Borough and Pennington.