Jon Erickson

Born in Seattle and raised primarily on the Oregon coast, I came to New Jersey to go school and have stayed on. I have my BA and Master in Urban Planning from the University of Oregon and a PhD in Planning and Policy Development at Rutgers . Since 1971, I have held a variety of planning and economic analyst positions in Oregon and New Jersey including stints at the New Jersey State and Local Expenditure and Revenue Policy Commission, the Public Advocate, New Jersey Future and the Department of Environmental Protection.

In addition, I have held teaching positions at the University of Texas at Arlington , Portland State University , NYU, Baruch College and now Kean University . I am currently an Associate Professor at Kean University where I teach courses on environmental management, urban planning, fiscal policy and research methods. Over the years I have conducted research on homelessness, fiscal stress, state and regional planning, economic and fiscal impact analysis, racial segregation and financial management. I am currently working on research related to smart growth planning and shared services.

I was elected to the Borough Council 2002 and chair the Health and Welfare Committee. I also serve on the Economic Development and Finance committees and am the Council representative to the Board of Education, the Library, Municipal Alliance, the Housing Authority and the Commission for Universal Access.

I am married and have a daughter in the Highland Park Middle School. Lastly, I am the chair of the New Jersey Council of State College Locals (AFT/AFL-CIO) Legislative Action and COPE Committee.