Reflections on 2010
Every Council leaves their mark on the City of Plainfield. I believe the 2010 Council will be remembered for its focus on fiscal policy, movement towards long-term planning and efforts to reconnect elected officials with residents across the City.
The 2010 Council accomplished a number of items and I have highlighted a few below. I must recognize each and every Councilor for their contributions. This was a collective effort. I particularly want to thank Chairman Mapp and each of this year’s Committee Chairs – Storch, Rivers and Carter. Many of the decisions made this year started off as discussion items in Council Committees.
Accomplishments
Town Halls
In the spring, the Council visited each ward and listened to the concerns across the City. We heard concerns about issues ranging from leaf pick-up and safety to taxes and economic development. These town halls gave the Council an opportunity to hear the needs of residents and incorporate your ideas and suggestions into our discussions and decisions.
Fiscal Responsibility
The Fiscal Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility (FAIR) legislation package stands out as one of the most significant achievements of this Council. Three resolutions and two ordinances were approved and enacted that improve the City’s ability to responsibly manage your tax dollars. These Council actions helped fill key financial management positions, increased financial oversight and forced greater vendor competition.
Additionally, the 2010 Council was able to reduce last year’s budget by nearly 1 million dollars. Although the savings were great, the timing was not because the budget was not adopted until February of this year (FY ending June 30th). For this budget year, the Council and Administration were able to introduce, amend and adopt the budget in December. This timing improvement is valuable because any reductions in the budget are felt sooner and for a longer period of time.
Information Technology
The movement towards and investment in Information Technology is also an accomplishment. During this year’s budget deliberations the Council proposed a number of questions to each division head that presented. One of those key questions was: How can the Council empower you? The majority of all presenters expressed a real need for IT – either upgrades, software or training. Last year the Council approved the creation of an IT Manager. This year, the Council formally created an IT division within the City’s structure and approved an IT shared services agreement with the Board of Education. This 6-month agreement will allow the City to move into the 21st century in a cost-efficient manner.
Economic Development
The completion of the Rutgers NJIT Visioning Study has provided the Council and Administration with an understanding of development opportunities along the rail corridor - a valuable part of Plainfield’s marketable assets. Additional studies being put in place now will help shape conversations about economic development for years to come.
Thoughts for 2011
I was honored to be selected by my colleagues to serve as the 2010 Council President and look forward to continuing in that capacity for 2011.
As the City faces continued financial challenges, improved fiscal policy must remain a priority. Managing limited funds and resources well is half of the budget battle. The other half of the battle is improving our tax base through redevelopment. Redevelopment as part of a broader economic development discussion must become part of the long-term planning that the City is moving towards.
Just as we focused on a directed a path towards financial responsibility, so too must we make a commitment to understanding and improving the public safety needs facing our community. How can police and fire operate more effectively? What legislation – locally or otherwise – needs to be explored and advocated for? How do we ensure that Plainfield youth grow up in a healthy, safe environment? These questions and others need to be answered.
We must continue to work with colleagues, old and new, as we advance key agenda items for the City of Plainfield. In 2011 the Council will continue to put Plainfield First and work towards Positive Change.
Happy New Year!
.
10 comments:
Thank you for working so hard to reduce the budget. While you were reducing it in the city, the PMUA has increased their budget. The property owners need the council to tackle this issue. Plainfield will not attract businesses and keep families in Plainfield if the PMUA continues it's abusive power and financial drain on property owners
Annie, we are happy that you will continue as Council President. Only one request, make the meetings public friendly time wise.
I second Doc's motion. Please consider going back to two meetings a month--one per month is just too long between meetings, so things pile up. Then the public is turned off by the length of the meeting and public input is severely limited.
And happy new year to you and yours!
I am so grateful for your leadership and style of leading. I am confident if anyone can make lemonade out of the lemons you have to deal with - it's you. You need to know how grateful so many of us are.
Please add zoning enforcement and quality of life issues to priorities for 2011.
Quality of life issues will directly affect crime rates.
Zoning enforcement will directly affect the looks of the town and can only help were there business considering opening in Plainfield. Approach zoning enforcement in downtown like they go after uneven sidewalks throughout the residential areas of the city and you will see a REAL improvement in the looks of downtown.
Thank you for your quality service you provided the taxpayers of Plainfield in 2010 Annie.
My best...
Rob
Hi Ms Mcwilliams just wanted to make you aware that both the director and his secretary are out in the recreation department today. This happens all the time but nothing is ever done. The information was bought out at a council meeting but Mr. Jacque covered it up as he was told to by the Mayor and the acting city administrator. Please help our City. Some employee's get help and some continue to get away with everything
Good morning council just wanted to inform you of the politics beingplayed in city hall and pmua. They are moving David Spaulding to pmua to save him a job and moving dolly hamilton from tracey brown church who works for purchasing at pmua to the clerks office to assist AJ. I hope council can put a stop to the bad politics played in this great city of plainfield i finally have hope now
Annie, please continue updating your blog instead of just posting on Facebook. Many of us don't do Facebook and look in vain for updates on your blog, which is very well done. I hope you can find the time to do this!
Council Presidents good job on the press conference that was the best thing you could have done for plainfield. Its time for the residents of plainfield to know the truth and you set the record straight. I take my hat off to you. Now the Plainfield knows the truth it is hard for the mayor and her gang to continue to spread lies keep up the good work. I say again the press conference was the best thing anyone have done to get the truth out. Now I know you have the residents of plainfield best interest at heart. Thanks for your hard work
Annie, please keep blogging. Some of us aren't on Facebook and would like to keep up with what you're doing.
Thanks--
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