"We want to minimize discussion of our problems," said JosephMaraziti, a partner in the Short Hills-based law firm of MarazitiFalcon & Healey, in his opening remarks. Maraziti is a boardmember of PlanSmart NJ, a Trenton-based regional planning group.The reference, of course, was to the negative press the state hasbeen garnering recently regarding its economy and businessclimate.

"We've talked enough about our problems," Maraziti told theaudience of government officials, planners and business leaders."We're here to talk about solutions. There is a sense of urgencyabout the future of New Jersey, we're rapidly approachingbuild-out, the margins of error are extremely narrow and it affectseverything. We need to solve our problems collaboratively andcohesively."

Economic consultant Michael Gallis of Charlotte, NC-based GallisAssociates said that "New Jersey is perhaps the best-positionedstate to take advantage of global change, but the biggest surpriseis that we're not taking advantage of that. The state is drowningin problems, and not taking advantage of its position."