News to Note: President’s Message to the UTCA - October 2004

As the newly inducted president to the UTCA, I’d like to start off by congratulating the organization for another stellar convention. Our 39th Annual Convention was held at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino from September 16-19, and the popularity was evident at every turn. The exhibit areas sold out well in advance and had a large amount of foot traffic throughout the convention, the dinner dance was at maximum capacity and the events in between were all well attended. The 2004 convention marks the largest participant base of members and associate members in the past six years!

The convention featured speakers throughout the days who moved and informed. Richard Picciotto, the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse and the last fireman to escape the devastation, gave a moving account of the events he experienced. New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski, chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, gave a positive speech on support for an increase in our state motor fuel tax. Richard Raczynski, chief engineer for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, spoke to the Board of Directors about upcoming Turnpike and Highway work – always a good thing to hear about!

Award presentations were also given during the convention. Congratulations to Janet Krawtschenko, 2004 Larry Gardner Memorial Award recipient and Denise Cruz-Serpico, 2004 William Feather Memorial Award recipient. Both women have provided exceptional service to the UTCA and our industry. Presented during the convention, they are very deserving award recipients.

In addition, the UTCA presented Safety Awards during the convention to Vollers Excavating& Construction, D'Annunzio & Sons, Carr & Duff, Marsellis-Warner, American Asphalt, Kevco Electric, Hutton Construction, G. Helmer Construction and Coastal Steel Construction. Safety is an integral part of our industry. Our employee’s go to work each day in one of the most dangerous occupations around. It is management’s responsibility to ensure all of its employees are provided a safe environment. These awards recognize and highlight this vital aspect to our everyday operations.

Our convention committee is due many thanks for their hard work and dedication. It is obvious from its success that it was well worth the effort they invested.

As your new president, I’m looking forward to advancing our organization’s agenda – especially in the area of enhancing new transportation construction revenue. As has been highlighted in this magazine many times, New Jersey’s Transportation Account is under funded. To counteract this, the UTCA is calling for an increase in the motor fuel tax to enhance the transportation fund. Obviously this is not a major campaign point during an election period, but it must be recognized and addressed. The UTCA is working diligently to make our position known throughout the halls of Trenton to gain support for this issue. It’s apparent that if our legislators do not counteract the under funding, the current situation will only be compounded.

New transportation construction revenue is an issue the UTCA has worked on tirelessly under Jim Reid’s leadership. Over this past year, he brought hard work and quick wit to his entire tenure. Under Jim’s leadership, legislative leaders increased road and bridge construction funding in the new budget by $90 Million for construction. The association enrolled 81 new member firms, initiated two important pieces of legislation. Thank you, Jim for your dedication to the UTCA and your service as president.

Although they are large shoes to fill, I intend to pick up where Jim left off. I am proud to serve as your new president, providing leadership and service for our 1100 + member firms. For the UTCA to be effective, to identify and solve problems inherent in our industry, our members need to be involved. If you don’t already, I ask you to take an active role. Join a subcommittee, broach concerns you feel need to be addressed - on a local or national level – to the Board or UTCA Administrative staff. The UTCA cannot act on behalf of our membership unless we are aware of the problems that affect you directly. Again, I look forward to working with the UTCA staff and members in the coming year.

~ James E. Johnston, Jr.