By Tom Critelli
NJBA President

As a homebuilder, I know first-hand that our industry has been faced with uncertainty, opposition and adversity. Layers of regulation and some questionable policy decisions have caused many of our peers to leave the industry and/or leave New Jersey – taking their jobs with them.

Our state is at a crossroads. We are experiencing high unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and record budget deficits. It is time to end this downward spiral and get NJ moving forward again. The homebuilding industry in New Jersey can lead the way out of this crisis, putting people back to work and generating positive and long-term economic growth.

Our industry is also at a crossroads. As your President, I intend to affect change so that our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities we had growing-up here in New Jersey. Homeownership is the American Dream, and as homebuilders, we facilitate that dream and provide that opportunity.

Two of my primary goals this year are to rewrite the State Plan and to be front and center on COAH reform so that future generations have an opportunity at the American Dream, and to protect the rights of all citizens so that they have the opportunity to live where they choose.

I am committed to working with our coalition partners and elected officials in Trenton to affect positive change, and I will seek to reverse a decade of unnecessary and duplicative regulations that impair the housing industry, strangle job growth, and drive-up housing costs.

Over the past two years, the NJBA has successfully introduced and lobbied for the passage of several significant pieces of legislation that will help all of our members as the market recovers. As NJBA President, I will continue to work with our elected officials to support initiatives that will help put our industry – and the state’s economy – back on its feet.

Last year, Mike Karmatz said that one of his goals was to pass “Time of Decision” legislation. Many said this would never happen. Well, thanks to Mike’s leadership, that bill became law when the Governor signed it on May 5, 2010.

Two years ago, Steve Patron suggested that with a ten+ year supply of senior housing in the market and in the pipeline, we should seek to allow some of those age restrictions to be lifted. Several people suggested that Steve’s idea was a long-shot. Well, as a result of Steve’s vision and commitment, “55+” is also law, and approvals for the lifting of age-restrictions are being granted in communities throughout the state – providing opportunity where it may not otherwise exist.

These are just a few examples of the sort of “out of the box” thinking that we do every day at the NJBA, and that challenge me as NJBA President to continue this great legacy. I am excited about the opportunities that exist for our industry and our Association. I am energized and looking forward to working with the talented group of officers assembled to work with me.

The tides are changing…and with your support and involvement, we will soon see better days. This is a new beginning for our industry and our Association, and I am honored to serve as your President.

I look forward to working with – and on behalf of – all of our members this year. We must continue to make the NJBA the face of the home building industry in New Jersey for generations to come.

Thank you, and thank you for your support.

By Tom Critelli
NJBA President

As a homebuilder, I know first-hand that our industry has been faced with uncertainty, opposition and adversity. Layers of regulation and some questionable policy decisions have caused many of our peers to leave the industry and/or leave New Jersey – taking their jobs with them.

Our state is at a crossroads. We are experiencing high unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and record budget deficits. It is time to end this downward spiral and get NJ moving forward again. The homebuilding industry in New Jersey can lead the way out of this crisis, putting people back to work and generating positive and long-term economic growth.

Our industry is also at a crossroads. As your President, I intend to affect change so that our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities we had growing-up here in New Jersey. Homeownership is the American Dream, and as homebuilders, we facilitate that dream and provide that opportunity.

Two of my primary goals this year are to rewrite the State Plan and to be front and center on COAH reform so that future generations have an opportunity at the American Dream, and to protect the rights of all citizens so that they have the opportunity to live where they choose.

I am committed to working with our coalition partners and elected officials in Trenton to affect positive change, and I will seek to reverse a decade of unnecessary and duplicative regulations that impair the housing industry, strangle job growth, and drive-up housing costs.

Over the past two years, the NJBA has successfully introduced and lobbied for the passage of several significant pieces of legislation that will help all of our members as the market recovers. As NJBA President, I will continue to work with our elected officials to support initiatives that will help put our industry – and the state’s economy – back on its feet.

Last year, Mike Karmatz said that one of his goals was to pass “Time of Decision” legislation. Many said this would never happen. Well, thanks to Mike’s leadership, that bill became law when the Governor signed it on May 5, 2010.

Two years ago, Steve Patron suggested that with a ten+ year supply of senior housing in the market and in the pipeline, we should seek to allow some of those age restrictions to be lifted. Several people suggested that Steve’s idea was a long-shot. Well, as a result of Steve’s vision and commitment, “55+” is also law, and approvals for the lifting of age-restrictions are being granted in communities throughout the state – providing opportunity where it may not otherwise exist.

These are just a few examples of the sort of “out of the box” thinking that we do every day at the NJBA, and that challenge me as NJBA President to continue this great legacy. I am excited about the opportunities that exist for our industry and our Association. I am energized and looking forward to working with the talented group of officers assembled to work with me.

The tides are changing…and with your support and involvement, we will soon see better days. This is a new beginning for our industry and our Association, and I am honored to serve as your President.

I look forward to working with – and on behalf of – all of our members this year. We must continue to make the NJBA the face of the home building industry in New Jersey for generations to come.

Thank you, and thank you for your support.