Frank Weeden

Alex Brown

Eric Jackson

As you know, the Capital City of Trenton has a unique colonial history as being the seat of national government power. Our established motto speaks for itself, “ Trenton Makes the World Takes.” Therefore, these and other historic property assets, such as the Battle of Monument, will be used to promote economic development in the city by first confronting the challenges of establishing Trenton as a safe, “Zero Tolerance” environment, a sought-after historic tourist destination, and a magnet ripe for new businesses. Through federal, state, local, corporate and non-profit partnerships, we will use historic properties to promote local economic development by working hand-in-hand with the local, national and global print and broadcast media outlets to build awareness, interest and change negative perceptions to positive perceptions in order to enhance the unique heritage that Trenton has to offer. These actions would, thus, create the environment to strengthen our economy, as it would attract historic tourism and new businesses to the city. Hence, new job opportunities would be created to complement a newly educated or retrained workforce of Trentonians . In short, my administration will focus on restoring the City of Trenton to the prominence it once held by focusing on the 3 Es: Economics, Education and Empowerment.

I cannot over state what I feel about our capacity to generate revenue for our city by a visionary plan to broaden how we see the historic value of our city and then market that vision as an “experience” in waiting for the world to enjoy. I unfold in some limited narrative, “my vision” of the historic renaissance of Trenton on my website: harmonfortrenton.com.

I see a comprehensive audit of all departmental operations, including our school system, to outline the details of our fiscal situation, as a prerequisite to sensible big-picture planning and responsible and rigidly benchmarked implementation of change strategies. I state this because we must break the current City Council leadership pattern of approving disjointed and spotty development contracts that don't hire or envelop our people in the meaningful experience of transforming our city from a broad historical-palette kind of perspective.

Then, I see defining all of what we are historically as the fundamental foundation to building what we can become, socially, esthetically, commercially and structurally.

I am anxious to facilitate an expert symposium of a discussion of all the “historic firsts” and “points of significance” our city and this region can accurately claim. Once carefully vetted, these facts and icons will become pillars to a new and aggressive e-commerce and marketing plan. Because of its manageable size and unique density of mixed cultures, Trenton can be and should be a story-based market center. I will make sure that happens with the coordination of as many varied community of stakeholders as will be necessary.

Not unlike the piece of geography set off downtown New Orleans renowned world wide as “The French Quarter”, or the feeling of an outdoor museum attracting millions to the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall in Philadelphia , I see our combined historical footprint as a year-round interactive experience that never stops running. From enactments to boat tours, to day-time and night-time walking tours, to carriages tracing a day in the life of colonists and a cast of military icons, to contests, mini-theme fairs and plays, and spontaneous street theatre.

**Historic preservation must be a priority.

**All development projects must be inclusive of a marketing plan that will showcase our assets.

** Educate residents, students and businesses about our resources and opportunities.

Trenton is indeed a historic community. There are numerous landmarks that are significant to the development of the city. If properly promoted, these landmarks may

provide great economic resource to the community. I would reshape the Trenton Downtown Association in a way that it would focus on our resources. Tourist who come to the city spend money in shops and restaurants. They buy gas and they patronize local businesses. Progressive marketing and promotion would serve to increase local community revenue.