This guest post was sent to me as part of a push by Camden Churches Organized for People. It was written by their executive director, Rev. Ed Livingston. You can find their “Contract for Camden, not Billionaires” petition here. I’m unaware of the copyright implications of reposting in its entirety, so I’ve included critical excerpts. Please read the whole thing at NJ.com: 

From the Jobs Not Jails: A Contract for Camden Facebook Page

The night before announcement of the 76ers’ deal, Camden Churches Organized for People organized an event called “Jobs Not Jail.” More than 200 city residents came together to express their desire for good jobs in Camden, and to ask elected officials to join them in support of a shared vision for job creation. Although all were invited, only one elected official — Assemblyman Angel Fuentes, D-5 —  attended. He heard the testimony of several speakers and gave his unqualified support for the “Contract for Camden,” and for this we thank him.

The Contract for Camden represents reasonable, practical and specific guideposts against which current and future policy decisions and deals could be weighed. Below are these principles:

The success of job creation policies is measured by a decrease in the unemployment rate. Through the creation of just 1,000 jobs, the poverty rate would decrease by 1 percentage point.

Gainful employment is defined as providing a living wage and opportunity for advancement. The living wage for a family of three with one adult and two children in Camden County is $25.71 per hour.

Business attraction efforts and allocation of incentives should be guided in part by the number of low-skilled or unskilled living wage jobs being created.

Efforts to assemble and remediate land should be reserved for small to large employers committed to bringing low skill/unskilled jobs to Camden.

 – Resources shall be allocated for job training and career development

 – The success of incentive programs for job creation is measured by the number of long-term permanent jobs over short-term construction jobs.

– The success of economic development policy is measured by a decrease in the number of individuals living below the poverty line. With the creation of one living-wage job, one person has the potential to move out of poverty.

– Strategies will be created and resources allocated to connect the unemployed to jobs outside of the city.

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