Paterson Metropolitan Region Research Center at William Paterson University to Hold Conference on Interconnections Among Cities and Suburbs, Including Issues Such as Land Use and Health Care on April 15 An all-day conference focusing on the interconnections among cities and suburbs in the Paterson metropolitan region—as well as interrelated environmental and public health considerations—will be held at William Paterson University in Wayne on Friday, April 15. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the University Commons Ballroom on campus. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Sponsored by the University’s Paterson Metropolitan Region Research Center, the conference will bring together a broad spectrum of participants and attendees. Among them will be numerous experts, local and county officials, agency and organization leaders, interested residents, researchers, students, faculty and academic administrators. “We’re hoping to increase awareness and understanding about regional issues that cross local boundaries,” says Vince Parrillo, William Paterson University professor of sociology and director of the Paterson Metropolitan Region Research Center. “With such an outstanding array of experts, this promises to be a highly interesting and informative conference.” The morning session, which begins at 10:15 a.m., will set the general theme of thinking regionally. The expert panel includes Prof. Stuart Meck, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University; Deborah Hoffman, director, Division of Economic Development, Passaic County; Michael La Place, director, Planning and Economic Development, Passaic County; and Courtenay Mercer, New Jersey director, Regional Plan Association. Prof. Arnold Lewis from the William Paterson University Department of Political Science will serve as moderator. The first afternoon session, scheduled for 1:15 p.m., will focus on health and health care considerations among diverse populations in Paterson and surrounding communities. Panel participants are Joanne Green, executive director, Mental Health Association, Passaic County; Charlene Gungil, director, Passaic County Department of Health; James Pruden, MD, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; and Francine Vince, administrator, Passaic County Mental Health and Addiction Services. The moderator will be Prof. Marianne Sullivan, William Paterson University Department of Public Health. Environmental considerations, more specifically the impact of changing populations on land-use policy in Paterson and surrounding communities, is the emphasis of the second afternoon session at 2:45 p.m. The panel includes Zenobia Fields, director of planning, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority; Jennifer Papa, executive director, City Green; and Jason Simmons, senior environmental planner, Planning and Economic Development, Passaic County. Serving as moderator will be Prof. Nicole Davi, William Paterson University Department of Environmental Science. The conference is in keeping with the Center’s mission to promote greater understanding of the historical and contemporary relevance of the Paterson metropolitan area to northern New Jersey and its citizens. For additional information or to register for the the conference, please visit the William Paterson University School for Continuing and Professional Education at 973-720-2354 or visit wpunj.edu/cpe. 03/10/16
