PRINCETON, NJ-Some groups insist that the first step in solvinga problem is admitting that a problem exists. In a similar fashion,business leaders in New Jersey say that to plan things out, ithelps to have an actual plan. That was the mantra at an event hereon the university campus called Building ONE New Jersey, which wasco-chaired by representatives from PlanSmart NJ and the New JerseyRegional Coalition.

“We have a failure of planning,” said Lieutenant Governor KimGuadagno, referring to the lack of direction that the state givesto businesses and municipalities when it comes to economicdevelopment. Right now there are “too many people telling too manypeople to do too many disparate things.”

Many speakers pointed fingers at sprawl as a main culprit thatcreated blighted cities across the state. The state isn’t doingmuch about that, contended Guadagno, who had harsh words for theOffice of Smart Growth. “They’re not doing their job by anymeasure,” she said, promising that the entity’s responsibilitieswould soon fall under her jurisdiction.