Cape May Court House, N.J. – Middle Township Committeeman Jim Norris is calling for the establishment of the Rio Grande Community Partnership to tackle challenges facing that area of town.

Norris envisions a committee that brings together Rio Grande residents, business owners, social-service agencies and local government to address the ongoing quality-of-life concerns in the Township’s southern business district.

“I grew up in Rio Grande and the area has certainly changed in my lifetime,” Norris said. “Many of those changes have been positive, but we need to recognize that we face growing issues related to the social ills affecting our entire country. We must come together to seek smart and innovative solutions to the challenges presented by homelessness, petty crime, drug use and an ongoing housing shortage.”

Norris will propose a resolution, to be voted on by Township Committee on Aug. 15, to create the Rio Grande Community Partnership as an official nine-member volunteer board. The Board would consist of Rio Grande area residents and business owners as well as representatives and advisers from local and county government and the Middle Township Police Department. The Township would appoint a staff member as secretary to the board and provide legal counsel from the municipal solicitor.

“I hear the frustrations of the businesses and residents in the Rio Grande area,” Norris said. “They have deep concerns for this community that they care so much about. The challenges we face here are not unique to Middle Township but we will address these concerns in a Middle Township way, by bringing good people together on common ground to work to continually improve our quality of life.”

Residents and business owners interested in serving in the Rio Grande Community Partnership may email Committeeman Norris directly at jnorris@middletownship.com.