Council President Annie McWilliams is holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss the recent rash of burglaries. Police Director Martin Hellwig and members of the Plainfield Police Department will attend. Please bring any questions or concerns to the meeting.
Date: Sunday, December 4th
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Address: 1341 Prospect Avenue
New Jersey American Water today issued a boil water advisory for customers in the following communities: West Orange, Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, Irvington, Springfield, Summit.
Due to flooding related to the impact of Hurricane Irene, our Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn has been inundated.
For updated information, customers can visit Jersey American Water’s website at www.newjerseyamwater.com , under the Alerts Notifications section.
Please note that this is a standard procedure whenever a treatment failure occurs which may compromise the quality of your drinking water. New Jersey American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requires us to issue the following advisory:
The Department of Environmental Protection has determined that a potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to you currently exists. Therefore until further notice, bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow to cool before using for consumption; drinking, ice cubes, washing vegetables and fruit, and for brushing teeth. Please continue to boil your water until you are notified that the water quality is acceptable.
New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:
Please be advised that the company is doing all it can to make sure water is of the highest quality. New Jersey AmericanWater Company will notify customers as soon as the advisory is lifted. If customers have any questions they may call 1-800-652-6987.
As has been blogged about, a vote for Shotspotter is coming up on Monday. I plan to support this initiative and urge my colleagues to do the same.
We have been discussing this item for more than a year. When the proposal first came before the Council last summer, it was rejected. The causes of concern were cost and length of commitment. The initial cost would have been nearly one million dollars and would have required agreement to a multi-year contract. Councilmembers suggested that the Administration look for a less expensive alternative or grant funds to subsidize the cost and that City Hall re-negotiate the terms of the agreement. Although unwilling at first, the Administration has done exactly that.
The price is now just $169,000 to lease equipment for one year. In addition, the City has been awarded a $250,000 public safety grant that must be used for technology purposes. Those funds will be used to pay for camera installation and monitoring. We are only contractually obligated for one year. If we find that the equipment is not meeting our needs and expectations, we can end the relationship. If we decide to renew, City funds may be needed to pay for next year’s lease.
There have been questions posed by my colleagues about the efficacy of the technology. While these are legitimate concerns, I have not yet heard from any municipality that the equipment is not effective or not worth the investment. I have seen positive reviews and heard other elected officials speak to how they have implemented this technology in their own municipalities. I don’t see why Plainfield should have to wait.
Additionally, and more importantly, our Public Safety Director and officers have continually made the case that an upgrade in technology would empower our police force. With a rise in crime, and budgetary constraints around police manpower, Shotspotter provides a low cost opportunity for the City.
It is important to keep in mind that a technology upgrade is just one piece of our public safety puzzle. Continued conversations and meaningful solutions have to be considered in other enforcement areas such as manpower and structure. We also have to address preventative measures such as youth programs and re-enty solutions before we will see the results we desire and deserve – a safer Plainfield.
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We need council members who are able to balance the urgent need to enforce financial oversight and foster economic development with the ongoing responsibility of protecting those who are most vulnerable through public safety, job creation and youth development. That's why I support Councilman Cory Storch and candidate DeLois “Dee” Dameron for the Plainfield City Council.
I'm proud to support Storch for the second ward council seat. Councilman Storch has been a powerful advocate for the residents of the second ward. A vital member of the council's Finance and Administration Committee, he helped to create the Financial Accountability, Integrity & Responsibility (FAIR) legislation package—a set of ordinances and resolutions designed to strengthen financial controls and council oversight. The FAIR package was adopted last year with the help of Councilman Storch, despite veto attempts by the mayor.
Cory has continuously been the lead advocate for most major economic development initiatives in Plainfield. He knows that Plainfield must become a place where people can live, earn and spend. He is the sponsor of the Transit Village Visioning Study, which brought in experts and development leaders to work with residents in designing the Plainfield of tomorrow. He is also the lead advocate and co-sponsor of the Rutgers Economic Development Study which is currently underway. These studies will provide the blueprint for residential development, commercial development and job creation.
As we all know, the economy's collapse halted most major development across the country. Instead of sitting idly by, Councilman Storch devised a plan of action, ensuring that when the market turns around, the Queen City will be prepared to take advantage of new opportunities.I am also proud to support DeLois “Dee” Dameron for First and Fourth Wards Councilor. Dee understands that residents in the first and fourth wards are concerned about their taxes, safety and quality of life. An active volunteer on the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee, Dee knows the budgetary concerns cities are dealing with and she never lets the council or mayor forget the financial squeeze that residents are feeling. She will fight for the rights of every resident to live in a home they can afford without being suffocated by taxes.
Dedicated to the senior citizens and youth of this city, Dee will be an advocate for those who need a strong voice on the council. She will listen to the needs of her constituents and speak up for all.
Local elections can be difficult because we have to select just one candidate among several friends and neighbors who are on the ballot. We must remember, however, that each seat is held for four years. We can't just elect people we like, but also people who are independent and who are strong enough to vote for what's right.
Vote wisely this June. Vote for Councilman Cory Storch, candidate for Second Ward Councilor, and Dee Dameron, candidate for First and Fourth Wards Councilor.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Plainfield over the past few years. As Councilwoman At-Large, representing the entire city, and in my capacity as Council President, I have come to recognize and value the type of leadership that is needed on the Council. We need independent, balanced judgment and honest, ethical representation. That's why I support Councilman Cory Storch and candidate DeLois "Dee" Dameron for the Plainfield City Council.
