Cory Booker is deeply involved in the day to day life of Newark, NJ. He works on improving the city via big issue topics like improving education, getting guns off the streets of Newark, and developing programs to help those struggling to pay a mortgage. He also participates in good deed acts like shoveling snow for the elderly, reprimanding those who throw trash out of their cars, and attending many events in Newark.
Mayor Booker is a part of the people of Newark. He lives in a public housing building. He understands the kinds of problems people face while living in Newark. He once pitched a tent outside a troubled residential building and went on a fast there in the tent until the drug dealers stopped causing trouble at the building.
Cory Booker is a graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School. He was also a Rhodes Scholar. His academic achievements are very impressive. His man of the people lifestyle is even more so.
Mayor Booker fights hard to help the people of Newark. He has created many innovative programs to bring better opportunities to Brick City. In an article in the New York Times, Richard E. Benfield describes Cory Booker: “Mr. Booker is the energizer and catalyst who can direct the change in a positive way. Newark has needed someone to do exactly that for a very long time.”
Building Philanthropy to Help Newark
Time magazine reports that “Booker’s national profile and endless advocacy for Newark have attracted more than $100 million in private philanthropy-money that is even more crucial for Newark in a recession.” Mayor Booker has brought in philanthropic donations to help Newark from major contributors including Bill Gates and Oprah.
Keeping Newark Safe
Mayor Booker works hard to ensure the safety of Newark. He has added hundreds of new cops to help keep the city safe, upgraded the technology used by the police to monitor the city, and lowered violent crime rates. During Mr. Booker’s time in office, rates for gun crime and murders have decreased by over 40%.
Newark recently had the first month since the 1960s where Newark was murder free. Mayor Booker is bringing crime rates down. His anti-violence programs spread the word of peace and bring serenity to Newark.
TBT magazine reports that “in 2009, the crime rate (in Newark) reached its lowest percentage since 1959. Mayor Booker’s work to bring safety to Newark has had strong success.
Keeping Newark Green
Cory Booker is also working to keep Newark full of parks so people have a place to bring their kids to play and to enjoy nature. He has worked to build or improve many parks; by the close of 2010 about 20 parks will have been created or upgraded during Booker’s time in office.
Affordable Housing
Mayor Booker has greatly increased the amount of affordable housing in Newark. During his time in office, Newark has increased by 50% the amount of affordable housing. Also, many more new units of affordable housing are under development.
Helping Kids & Education
Mayor Booker has created partnerships with businesses to provide incentive programs for students, and has developed a $20 million fund to help Newark’s charter schools. He has also developed a “Safe School Initiated” to keep school campuses safe for kids.
Cory Booker also started a scholarship program called the Brick City Scholarship Fund. The students who win a scholarship earn a total of $20,000 for their four years of college. About 18 students have already received the scholarships. This program helps students achieve their dreams of a college education.
He also has worked to bring new athletic facilities to the students to ensure that they have a place to strengthen their health as well as work on academics.
Helping Senior Citizens
Mayor Booker reactivated the Senior Citizen Commission. This program helps seniors access health and social services resources.
Keeping Recreation Centers Open & Safe
Mr. Booker has worked to ensure that families and teens have a place to go to enjoy some exercise in a pool or to socialize with other community members. He has upgraded all recreation centers to give the people of Newark a place for cultural activities and community bonding.
Bringing Jobs to Residents of Newark
Mayor Booker has worked to bring new businesses into Newark and to encourage long-standing businesses in the area to hire more Newark residents. NewarkWorks has had success in opening up 4,000 jobs for the people of Newark.
Cory Booker Has a Vision for Newark
On his website and blog Cory Booker talks about his vision for Newark. He states: “We’re Brick City because we’re tough, we’re resilient, we’re strong, we’re enduring, and most importantly, when we come together there’s nothing we can’t create.”
To Donate to Re-Election Campaign
To donate to the re-election campaign for Cory Booker go to: https://donate.corybooker.com/
To learn more about Mayor Cory Booker go to his website at CoryBooker.com.
Sources:
http://www.corybooker.com/docs/25Accomplishments.pdf
http://www.corybooker.com/docs/EveryPersonCounts.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/opinion/01tue4.html?scp=10&sq=cory%20booker%20Mayor%20of%20newark,%20nj&st=cse
http://twitter.com/corybooker
http://www.corybooker.com/docs/EsquireReformer.pdf
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1910983-3,00.html
http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/b/cory_booker/index.html?scp=1&sq=cory%20booker%20Mayor%20of%20newark,%20nj&st=cse
http://tvtbt.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/cory-booker-readies-2010-re-election-campaign/
