Positive Change

Public Safety Meeting - All are welcome

2011-12-03T17:19:00.001-05:00

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 4^th

Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Address: 1341 Prospect Avenue

Plainfield Public Library Open!

2011-08-29T19:34:00.002-04:00

Please see the below information from Library Director, Joseph Da Rold:

The library came through the hurricane without loss of power. The public Internet computers are accessible, and a separate area has been set up as a charging station for those who have no power at home.

Wireless is functional, but so many people are on the network that some users have been experiencing delays with connectivity.

Regular hours are expected to be maintained through the rest of the week.
Tu-Th: 9am to 9pm
F-Sat: 9am to 1 pm

For more information:
http://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/
(908) 757-1111

.

PSE&G Electrical Concerns

2011-08-29T19:30:00.002-04:00

Please note that nearly 400,000 people are without power. PSE&G is warning that it could take up to 7 days to restore power. Here are some important phone numbers:

Emergencies
Downed power lines, gas leaks and other urgent, safety related requests.
Available 24 hours / 7days.
800-436-PSEG (7734)

Power Outages
To report an outage or check on the status of restoration.
Available 24 hours / 7days.
800-436-PSEG (7734) -or- 800-350-PSEG (7734)

Streetlight Outages
Report a broken streetlight online or by phone.
800-436-PSEG (7734)

.

NJ American Water Issues Boil Water Advisory

2011-08-29T19:28:00.001-04:00

New Jersey American Water Issues Boil Water Advisory in Parts of Essex & Union Counties

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:

Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory;
Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;
Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle.
Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms;
Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.

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.

Shotspotter: A Low Cost Opportunity to Empower Plainfield’s Police Force

2011-08-12T17:11:00.000-04:00

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.

The Case for 4 More Years

2011-06-06T10:21:00.002-04:00

The slogan, “Eight is Enough”, sounds good on paper, but let's really dissect what that means.

8 years ago, during Cory Storch's first term on the City Council, he was working with my father, the late Mayor Al McWilliams. There was a period during the previous Administration when Plainfield made significant and visible strides, and was even cited by NJ Monthly as being one of the Top 10 most Livable Cities. Cory Storch can take credit for many of those advances during that time period. For example, if you have lived in the City long enough, you know that the center of downtown was once a giant brownfield - neither aesthetically pleasing nor economically useful. Cory was able to work with my father to change that by bringing in the most meaningful commercial development we have had in the City to date.

Now let's fast-forward a few years. With the change of Administration, Cory played a different but crucial role. Although he initially attempted to work with the current Administration, wanting to trust their vision, he eventually became the lone voice of reason in City Hall. For several years, he was the only Councilor to vote against poor financial decisions and short-sighted economic development plans.

With the election of Adrian Mapp, Rebecca Williams and I, the Council has morphed into a different entity - one that is more thoughtful, more intent on planning, and certainly more willing to say NO to bad Administrative decisions. This Council has emphasized the need for quality appointments to a variety of positions, has initiated financial reform, and has demanded economic development improvements. This year, for the first time in a long time, the Council has a majority that can reliably serve as a voice for good in City Hall.

The outcome of this election could change that. Without Cory, there simply will no longer be a majority on the Council who care about the economic future of this City and understand the strength that is needed to move Plainfield forward.

So in thinking about the past 8 years, I know that eight is NOT enough. We should reward strong, proven leaders with the privilege of serving again. And we should certainly not stop the momentum that the Council has finally gained.

A vote against Cory Storch is a vote against a strong Council. When I ran for office 3 years ago and asked for your support, my slogan was Positive Change. I still believe that we can accomplish great things over the next few years and I know that Cory Storch is a crucial piece of that future.

I hope you will join me in voting for Column C tomorrow. Please support Cory Storch and DeLois "Dee" Dameron for City Council.

.

Why I Support Storch, Dameron

2011-05-26T07:17:00.003-04:00

Below is the Letter to the Editor that appeared in yesterday's Courier News. If you'd like to see it online, click here: In Plainfield, vote for Storch, Dameron

___________________________________________________________________

Plainfield is a wonderful community that is full of potential. If we are to put this city on the right track, we must elect dedicated community members whose votes will reflect the diversity of viewpoints that make this city so great.

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.

Councilman Storch has many other accomplishments that I could focus on but the most important qualities he has are independence and a servant's heart. You don’t have to guess whether Cory will vote with integrity—he's not beholden to anyone and always has the needs of residents in mind. He's the type of elected official that we need more of on our City Council.

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.

Storch & Dameron for the Plainfield City Council

2011-05-19T16:10:00.012-04:00

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.

Councilman Cory Storch is running for the Ward 2 Council seat. DeLois "Dee" Dameron is running for the Wards 1 & 4 At-Large seat. Both are running as New Democrats for Plainfield.

Over the next few weeks, you will hear more from me about why I support these candidates. In the meantime, I hope to see you soon at the New Democrats Headquarters located at 508 Watchung Avenue (across from City Hall, between Blackberry's and City Hall Annex).
.

2010 Year in Review

2010-12-31T10:48:00.002-05:00

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!

.

On the Removal of the City Administrator

2010-12-16T10:27:00.001-05:00

As has been widely reported, a letter from the Mayor was filed with the Clerk's office shortly before 5:00 pm yesterday advising City Administrator Bibi Taylor of her separation of employment with the City of Plainfield.

The Council's main concern is the efficient and uninterrupted management of Plainfield. The City Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City. Considering that the recent resignation of the Director of Public Works & Urban Development has left that role vacant and bearing in mind that the recently appointed Director of Administration & Finance and Certified Financial Officer are new in their roles, the City's management team is not yet positioned to run effectively. Furthermore, we have not yet adopted the budget and have relied heavily on the City Administrator's office in moving through this crucial process.

Plainfield needs now, more than ever, consistent and stable management. And we have always deserved the best. Mrs. Taylor has proven to be a true professional, very knowledgeable and thorough. To lose her at all, especially at this time, does not seem to be in the best interest of the City. However, this position is a Mayoral appointment. Understanding that, the Council has invited the Mayor to explain her decision and provide us with a plan of action. We need to understand why this action was taken and how the Mayor plans to meet the needs of residents without Mrs. Taylor as City Administrator. Based on the outcome of that discussion, the Council may consider a resolution disapproving of the Mayor's decision. If that resolution passes with 2/3 majority (5 or 7 Councilors), then Mrs. Taylor will be reinstated as City Administrator.

.

Youth Master Plan

2010-11-25T09:01:00.003-05:00

Our nation is facing an epidemic - young people are losing their lives to violence at unprecedented rates. Children are living in broken homes and learning in broken school systems. They live in a world that is short on love and long on empty promises. As a result, they are turning to gangs to provide the shelter, sense of belonging and opportunity that our community does not offer. This horrific national trend is being felt in our own backyards with the recent murders of two young men. The tragedy is that two lives were lost, the reality is that even more have been destroyed - as two coffins were made, two jail cells were prepared.

The challenges that our children are facing must be dealt with at a national level. Systemic overhaul is needed to ensure that every child - regardless of their background - has equal access to educational and economic opportunities. President Obama must take on this fight if we are to see large-scale change. However, local government is not powerless. We can take the necessary steps to save our children and the future of this City.

I have proposed that the Council spearhead an initiative to sponsor a Youth Master Plan (YMP). This has been done in communities across the Country and is considered a best practice. The YMP will bring together stakeholders at all levels - government, schools, non-profits, Churches, parents and youth - to set a vision for our City's young people. It will provide an evaluation of our current resources and set a strategy for how the City can best address the needs of our children going forward. In addition, it will arm community organizers and local officials with information on state and national legislation that best addresses those challenges unique to Plainfield. I will be working with the City Council and all of Plainfield's elected officials to pull together a strong team of community members who will lead this effort. In order for this to be successful, the entire community must work together - devoting time and talent for a shared goal. All stakeholders must unite for a worthy cause and invest in our most precious resource - our children.

Several years ago, my mother wrote a song entitled, "The Child Belongs to Me". This title is so timely and I had to share the song here. The words remind me that we can only help our young people if we take responsibility and take action:

Details and deadlines for the YMP will be spelled out soon.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

.

Election Day

2010-11-02T09:47:00.002-04:00

Be sure to vote today! The future of our Country depends on it!

I am voting for the party that will support our President -

Democrats (Line A):

Congress - Frank Pallone

Freeholder - Linda Carter

Council - Rebecca Williams and Bill Reid

and the rest of the Democratic slate.

2010-10-29T09:14:00.005-04:00

Below is some information about an event that Plainfield PAL's Youth Exposure is holding tomorrow (Saturday). Alrick Brown, a Film Director and rising star in the film industry, will be addressing Plainfield youth to talk about the challenges he faced growing up, his goals and his success. Alrick attended NYU Film School and his short films have been recognized internationally. Alrick was raised in Plainfield and has even filmed some of his work here. He is about to release his first feature length film called Kinyarwanda. This movie tells the story of Muslims that protected Christians during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Not only is this a timely film, but it's an inspiring story.

Alrick has shown his support of Plainfield by taking time out of his worldwide promotional tour to speak with our kids. It's critical that our community take the time to support him. One way to do that is by attending this event. The more attention that is brought to this event, the more coverage his film will receive.

________________________________________________________________

Contact: Lucy Sanchez-Abreu
Tel: (732) 397-4693
Email: youthexposure@gmail.com

FILM DIRECTOR ALRICK BROWN TO SPEAK AT PLAINFIELD PAL YOUTH EXPOSURE EVENT

“Plainfield’s Promise” Speaker Series to be held Oct. 30, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Washington School

Plainfield PAL’s Youth Exposure will host the first annual “Plainfield’s Promise” Speaker Series with Film Director Alrick Brown on Saturday, October 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Washington Community School in Plainfield, NJ. Alrick will show clips from his soon-to-be released movie Kinyarwanda, a tale about the complexities in Rwanda during the era of war and genocide. He will also share his insight regarding his journey to success. This event is co-sponsored by Wazito Freestyle and Omega Psi Phi Omicron Chapter. Performances will be made by En Pointe School of Dance and the Wazito Freestyle karate school as well. Local residents and film enthusiasts are invited to attend this exclusive and FREE event.

This event is geared to showcase success stories with Plainfield roots that have, and continue to make an impact on the community locally and globally. In addition, an invitation has been extended to local youth and community organizations to collectively “protect our youth, provide for our youth and prepare our youth.” Hence, on the stage and in the audience, organizations will be partnering to make a difference for the youth in Plainfield with our combined resources and wealth of knowledge.

Alrick Brown’s collective work has screened in over forty film festivals, national and international, and received numerous awards. He has written, directed, and produced narrative films and documentaries often focusing on social issues affecting the world at large. He and his co-producer, received the HBO Life Through Your Lens Emerging Filmmaker Award to produce their critically acclaimed documentary Death of Two Sons. In 2004, he was one of four NYU students featured in the IFC Documentary series Film School, produced by Academy award nominee Nannette Burstein.In 2007 he addressed the Motion Picture Association of America on C-SPAN. In 2009, he directed his first stage play “A Raisin in the Sun,” which was featured in Plainfield, NJ. At present, he is in post-production on his first feature film, Kinyarwanda shot on location in Rwanda and writing a feature thriller titled, The Shadows.
Alrick is a native of Kingston, Jamaica and was raised in Plainfield, New Jersey where he graduated from Plainfield High School in 1994. A fluent French speaker, he graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in English and a Masters in Education. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cote d’Ivoire. He has a MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Plainfield PAL’s Youth Exposure is a mentoring and enrichment program for middle school students established in Plainfield, NJ. Founded in 2007, Youth Exposure’s mission is to empower middle school students, encouraging them to strive for high levels of success through pursuit of education, leadership development and community service. Mentees are youth, ages 11-14, enrolled in the Plainfield School District. Mentors are young professionals who are dedicated to their community. Youth Exposure’s vision is to create a village of supporters for these students by organizing a locally-based network of mentors and like-minded peers. Through mentoring, tutoring, exposure to new activities, and support for scholarships and job opportunities, Youth Exposure provides a wide net of guidance and avenues for personal enhancement.

Youth Exposure is able to offer this program at minimal cost to community members through Plainfield Police Athletic League (PAL). Plainfield PAL is proud to announce a grant award in the amount of $20,580.00 in support of the Youth Exposure Program for the 2010-2011 program period. Funding has been made possible in part by a sub-grant from the Police Athletic League of New Jersey Afterschool Initiatives, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Washington Community School is a key partner with Youth Exposure, offering space and support for our activities.

Youth Exposure meets every other Saturday at Washington Community School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless there is a scheduled trip. There is a one-time fee of $50.00 for participating, however scholarships are available. Transportation and admission fees for all trips are free-of-cost. Breakfast and lunch is provided. There is limited enrollment.

###
For more information please contact Nancy Jordan of Plainfield PAL (908) 753-9281 or visit our website at http://www.youthexposure.org/.

To learn more about Alrick Brown’s upcoming movie Kinyarwanda please visit the site at http://www.kinyarwandamovie.com/ .

BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR PROUD SPONSORS

Budget Deliberations: Logistics + Structure

2010-10-25T17:03:00.005-04:00

LOGISTICS

Budget Deliberations will begin this week. Dates were advertised this weekend. Here is some additional information:

Tuesday, October 26th, 7:00 PM, City Hall Library
Public Safety (Police & Fire), Signals, Traffic

Thursday, October 28th, 7:00 PM, City Hall Library
Inspections, Municipal Court, Corporation Counsel, Engineering

Wednesday, November 3rd
Public Works & Recreation

Thursday, November 4th
Social Services (Plainfield Action Services, WIC, Bilingual Daycare), Health

Monday, November 8th
Tax Assessor, Collector, Audit & Control, Purchasing

Tuesday, November 9th
Library, City Clerk, IT/Media

Thursday, November 11th
Capital Budget, Planning, Economic Development

**Times and locations for deliberations to be held after October 28th, will be announced shortly

STRUCTURE

I was not satisfied with last year's budget deliberations. The focus of the deliberations should be on goals and numbers. Poorly articulated goals, unavailable performance measurements and missing data are unacceptable. While I understand the effect that shrunken resources has had on City Hall, the Administration must be prepared so that the Council can make informed budget decisions.

I have requested that presentations be organized differently. Each division head has been asked to address a specified set of questions (see below) at the beginning of their presentation. I believe the answers to these questions will provide the Council with the data they need to make decisions and open up a dialogue on how we can do more with less in these economic times. I will grant an additional 5 minutes for any other information to be shared. Councilors and CBAC members will then have an opportunity to ask their questions. The public will also have an opportunity to address the Council.

1) Overview
What services do you deliver to the residents of Plainfield? What are your responsibilities within City Hall?

2) Performance Measurements
What quantifiable data can you provide that will give the Council meaningful information on how well you have delivered services?

3) Goals, Objectives
What are your priorities for the coming year? What are your short-term and long-term goals? What additional personnel or resources will be needed to achieve these goals. Please provide corresponding dollar amounts (estimates are fine).

4) Shared Services
What opportunities for shared services exist?

5) Grant Opportunities
What opportunities for grants exist?

6) Costs
What are your major costs? What opportunities exist to cut these costs?

7) Revenues
Do you generate any revenues for the City? What opportunities exist to increase revenues?

8) Lay-off Plan
How will the recently approved lay-off plan affect your productivity? Be specific.

9) Improved Productivity
How can the Council empower you to deliver better results?

.**minor grammatical changes made at 9:40am

Revisiting Positive Change

2010-10-22T09:15:00.001-04:00

The blogosphere has been abuzz with views on what the Council's authority is, what the Administration's authority is and whether we are using our respective power appropriately. The underlying concern is whether we are working together and the implication is that we are not. I want to address that here.

When I ran for public office in 2008 my message was Positive Change. This message was chosen intentionally. I wanted to bring hope back to Plainfield and help move us in the right direction. I wanted to be part of a collective effort to ensure a brighter future for our community. I ran because the residents of Plainfield wanted solutions instead of promises and action instead of talk. At the beginning of this year, I was honored when my peers unanimously selected me to serve as Council President. At the first meeting, I spoke about putting Plainfield First, above political careers and above political agendas.

These messages - Positive Change & Plainfield First - have as much meaning for me today as they did at the beginning, and I hope they still have meaning for you. Today I continue to serve the residents of Plainfield, guided by these original intentions. Today I continue to carry out my responsibility as Council President, always staying true to these values and ensuring that the 2010 Council focuses on key policy issues, not petty politics.

Economic Development, Financial Management and Oversight and Quality-of-Life issues are crucial to the success of this City. Are there some residents who would rather the Council accept the status quo and just leave things as they are? Perhaps. But the vast majority have supported the priorities I identified for this year such as improving fiscal oversight, focusing on economic development and investing in our roads, IT infrastructure and youth. As the legislative branch, the Council has a responsibility and a right to pass resolutions and ordinances for the betterment of the community. As the leader of the executive branch, the Mayor has a responsibility and a right to veto items she disagrees with. This process is born out of a system of checks and balances created by America's Founding Fathers and documented in the Constitution and the Federalist Papers.

Yes, the Administration and Council have disagreed on some items, specifically Financial Oversight and Management. The Mayor has made it clear that she does not believe the Council needs anymore oversight. Some Councilors agree with her and others don't. And that's to be expected because it is a controversial, but necessary, conversation. And there will be more disagreements, especially as we move through the budget process.

This topic aside, we have worked together on most things. In fact, it is under the 2010 Council that the Visioning Study (a joint effort) was approved and took place. It is under the 2010 Council that both branches of government started real discussion on how to fund our IT improvements. It is under the 2010 Council that recent downtown development is moving forward. Even more recently, the Council and Administration have resumed discussion on how to best formulate and fill citizen committees with positive results. None of this was accomplished last year. So there have been improvements. In fact, of the 396 resolutions and 36 ordinances considered this year, 376 resolutions and 26 ordinances passed. And nearly all of those were put forth by the Administration. I believe this represents a healthy balance - a push and pull from both branches of government that steadily progresses the City at a speed we collectively determine.

I take my oath as Councilwoman At-Large and as Council President very seriously and have always considered myself a public servant, never a politician. I agree that we must continue to stray away from the blame game and strive for a more harmonious relationship. But our job is not to get along. Our job is to represent the people. The question is not, "Does the Council and Administration agree?" - we do that most of the time anyway. The question is, "Are we discussing and dealing with the critical issues that are facing our community?" I believe the answer to that question is yes. And that answer must always be yes if we are to make Plainfield the kind of City we know it can be.

Joe Black Field Dedication

2010-10-19T00:29:00.003-04:00

Several residents asked that I post the words I shared at the Joe Black Field Dedication, a wonderful event that really unified the City:

__________________________________________________________________

Good morning,

On behalf of the Plainfield City Council, I welcome you to the dedication of the Joe Black Baseball Field.

To the friends, family and supporters of Joe Black, thank you for being here.

Today is a great day for the City of Plainfield. Today we honor one man – a baseball legend and an inspiration. Although Joe Black was before my time and I never had the opportunity to meet him, I feel as though I know him from the stories that have been shared about him. That is the sign of a great man – he touched so many lives that everywhere you go you gain understanding about who he was.

Joe Black is truly an example of what success looks like. During a much darker period in American history, when African-Americans heard “no” and “you can’t” or “not allowed” much more often than “yes” or “we believe in you”, Joe Black proved that hard work, dedication and raw talent can’t be stopped, even when facing what seem to be insurmountable odds. It is so fitting that this field – the very place where Joe Black the young player with potential was told he could never play in the Major Leagues– is now being dedicated to Joe Black the World Series Champion.

So, when our young people step on this field let them not only play the game as Joe Black would have, but let them remember what this day and this dedication is really about. Let this field represent the ability to break barriers and defy the odds. Let this field remind us of the power of focus, passion and drive. Let this field be symbolize greatness that has already come from Plainfield and greatness that is yet to come.

Thank you.

.

Overdue Minutes - Taking Responsibility and Proposing a Plan

2010-10-14T01:58:00.004-04:00

Responsibility
At last night's meeting a resident brought to the forefront a very important issue - the proper submittal and approval of minutes from Council meetings which are handled by the Clerk's office. Her point was well made - the Council has not received and approved minutes in many months. There is simply no excuse for this error on the Council's part. As Council President I accept full responsibility for not dealing with this matter sooner and intend to mend the situation by the November meeting.

Background
The Clerk's office is the hub of the City and is responsible for a myriad of responsibilities. It serves as the licensing bureau for the entire City, dealing with chauffeurs (i.e. limo/taxi licenses) and establishments with alcoholic beverage control licenses among others. It is also charged with overseeing local elections and maintaining public documents. It is responsible for research of and response to all City OPRA requests which can require many hours of effort at any given time. In addition, this office bears the extra weight of working with the Council to pull together agenda items, write resolutions, update the City's code book and keep minutes of Council meetings.

Following last year's budget cuts, the Clerk's office suffered severely with the loss of 4 long-time employees that were either laid off or displaced from the office. For the past 15 years, a consultant wrote and submitted minutes to the Council. The memorandum of understanding signed by the City in exchange for receipt of state extraordinary aide prevented the reinstatement of that consultant. Low on staff, the Clerk's office has been unable to submit proper minutes to the Council for many months. Thus, the Council has not had minutes to approve for many months. While this is not the way to conduct government business, to my knowledge there has been no request by the public of Council documentation that has gone unanswered.

Plan
This situation is completely unacceptable and must be rectified as soon as possible. I will be recommending to the Council that we hire a consultant to do the following:

1) Immediately write and submit for approval bare bones minutes.
According to state statute, minutes are only required to reflect the time that the meeting opened and closed, who was in attendance, items that were discussed, and a record of the votes. In the past our minutes have reflected more detail and included statements from Councilors on why they voted as they did. In order to meet our legal requirement as soon as possible, we should move quickly to meet the minimum.

2) Amend basic minutes to add details
Once we meet the minimum, we should amend these minutes to reflect the dialogue and statements made by Council. Although this is not required by law, in the interest of transparency it is important to include the reasoning for decisions made. This is beneficial not only for the public who can better understand the often complex nature of our decisions, but also for future Councils that may rely on minutes to understand why decisions with long term impact were made.

3) Require the consultant to maintain a complete log of minutes going forward
This is not a position that we should be in ever again. Minutes should be submitted for approval at each Regular Business Meeting so that we stay up-to-date.

Neither the situation nor the solution is ideal. However, I believe that the entire Council will support this effort and that this matter will be adequately addressed by the next meeting. In the meantime, videotape of all public meetings continue to remain available in the Clerk's office for viewing by any resident. In addition, minutes of Committee meetings that have been submitted are also available in the Clerk's office. These minutes often reflect a deeper level discussion of items that are eventually brought to agenda fixing sessions.

I will provide a status of this matter at the next Agenda Fixing meeting.

**I will be blogging about the budget shortly.

.

Monday's Agenda, the Shotspotter Bond Ordinance and A New Policy

2010-10-03T14:57:00.006-04:00

I have received numerous phone calls and emails from residents concerning the budget and the Shotspotter bond ordinance. I want to clarify some facts before Monday's meeting.

On The Budget:
Earlier in the week it seemed prudent to re-advertise Monday's meeting as a special meeting so that we could take action on the long-awaited budget. This was a planning and precautionary measure taken due to certain expectations. It became clear to me later in the week that the budget might not be introduced on Monday as hoped. As the public well knows, the Council has asked for a timely budget introduction all year, going as far as passing a resolution setting a budget timeline. The Administration has not adhered to this request; however, I do expect a budget introduction earlier this year than last year.

On the City’s Finances & the Spotter Bond Ordinance
At Thursday's Administration & Finance Committee meeting, the City's auditors reviewed the AFS documents with the Council committee. As expected, the City's financial situation has not improved. In fact, it has gotten worse. Based on this new information, it became clear that the Council could not responsibly move forward with Shotspotter at this time. At that committee meeting, I alerted the City Administrator, Corporation Counsel and auditors that I would urge the entire Council to table the Shotspotter bond ordinance indefinitely.

Yesterday the City Administrator informed the Council that the Administration wishes to withdraw the bond ordinance. This ordinance cannot be removed from the agenda by either the Council President or the Administration after being approved on first reading. The majority of the Council must agree not to move forward. I believe this will be the case on Monday.

On the "New Policy"
Given the information from the AFS documents, the still vacant CFO and Director of Administration & Finance positions, and the lingering concerns regarding internal financial procedures, the Council should no longer consider any Administrative item that is not essential to the day-to-day operation of the City.

As Council President, I am responsible for setting the agenda. Until the City is on a corrective course towards financial responsibility, I will not put any non-essential items on the agenda. I do not believe it is prudent for the Council to allow any additional expenses* to be made unless they are obligatory.

Furthermore, as you will recall, one of the FAIR ordinances voted down by four Councilors last month would have lowered the bid threshold to the pay-to-play level of $17,500. This would have ultimately meant that the Council would have had greater financial oversight. This month the Mayor proposed a resolution INCREASING the bid threshold which would DECREASE our financial oversight. I did not and will not place this item on the agenda for consideration. This proposal illustrates a flagrant lack of respect for the authority of the governing body and the officials elected by the public. It highlights a dangerous mindset that threatens the balance of power in this City which was created to protect the public. This makes the FAIR legislation package even more important to consider.

*word added at 7:45pm...it was inadvertantly left out
,*=

Plainfield PAL's Youth Exposure - Mentoring Program for Middle School Students

2010-09-23T20:11:00.009-04:00

Below is a press release regarding Plainfield PAL's Youth Exposure, a mentoring program that I have been involved with for several years. Our orientation is this Saturday at 10:00 am at Washington School. All interested parents and students are welcome to attend. The application can be found online at www.youthexposure.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nancy Jordan
Tel: (908) 753-9281
Email: youthexposure@gmail.com

LOCAL MENTORING PROGRAM SEEKS PARTICIPANTS
Orientation to be held Sept. 25, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Washington Community School

Plainfield PAL’s Youth Exposure will hold orientation for potential mentees and their parents on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Washington Community School. Any Plainfield residents interested are invited to attend. The application is available at www.youthexposure.org.

This year will be filled with exciting trips and interesting speakers. Participants will travel to New York City and Washington, D.C. They will tour a college campus, go horseback riding, ice skate at Rockefeller Plaza, see a Broadway show, explore museums, volunteer locally and enjoy an overnight retreat. They will also hear guest speakers address issues ranging from financial empowerment and environmental leadership to advancements in technology and living a healthy lifestyle. We are especially pleased to announce that we will be launching the first annual “Plainfield’s Promise” Speaker Series. Our first speaker will be Film Director Alrick Brown, a Plainfield native.

Youth Exposure is able to offer this program at minimal cost to community members through Plainfield Police Athletic League (PAL). Plainfield PAL is proud to announce a grant award in the amount of $20,580.00 in support of the Youth Exposure Program for the 2010-2011 program period. Funding has been made possible in part by a sub-grant from the Police Athletic League of New Jersey Afterschool Initiatives, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Washington Community School is a key partner with Youth Exposure, offering space and support for our activities.

Youth Exposure meets every other Saturday at Washington Community School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless there is a scheduled trip. There is a one-time fee of $50.00 for participating, however scholarships are available. Transportation and admission fees for all trips are free-of-cost. Breakfast and lunch is provided. There is limited enrollment.

Plainfield PAL’s Youth Exposure is a mentoring and enrichment program for middle school students established in Plainfield, NJ. Founded in 2007, Youth Exposure’s mission is to empower middle school students, encouraging them to strive for high levels of success through pursuit of education, leadership development and community service. Mentees are youth, ages 11-14, enrolled in the Plainfield School District. Mentors are young professionals who are dedicated to their community. Youth Exposure’s vision is to create a village of supporters for these students by organizing a locally-based network of mentors and like-minded peers. Through mentoring, tutoring, exposure to new activities, and support for scholarships and job opportunities, Youth Exposure provides a wide net of guidance and avenues for personal enhancement.

###

For more information please contact Nancy Jordan of Plainfield PAL (908) 753-9281 or visit our website at http://www.youthexposure.org/.

Next Steps in Fiscal Oversight Discussion

2010-09-17T01:01:00.002-04:00

As most know by now, the Council fell one vote short of overriding the Mayor's vetoes on 2 ordinances that were part of the F.A.I.R. (Fiscal Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility) legislation we had been discussing and carefully advancing for the past 60+ days. Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed in this outcome. I firmly believe that transparency and financial oversight are crucial to stabilizing taxes, improving the operation of the City and repairing our public image. More importantly, I know that this issue matters to residents and taxpayers who want to see Plainfield reach its full potential.

Homeowners from every neighborhood in our City constantly express their concerns about taxes and other local costs. Our taxes have been steadily increasing over the years. This is due in part to costs we can't control (pension, healthcare, etc) and in part because of poor planning and uncontrolled spending. This may not be a pretty truth, but it is the truth. I say this not to incite fear or anger, but to acknowledge the problem so that we can work towards a solution. Financial oversight will help to combat high taxes and allow us to direct funds towards addressing the real, critical needs of Plainfield such as safety and economic development.

The upcoming budget discussions will no doubt be extremely challenging. When the Council received last year's budget, we made the conscious and difficult step to cut extraneous costs in order to alleviate homeowners, saving residents nearly 1 million dollars. We may not be able to cut so much this year. We can, however, ensure that each dollar is being put to its best and highest use and that not a single dime is being wasted. Every resident deserves the right to live in a city they can afford with quality services they can enjoy. Financial oversight can get us to that utopia. Achieving this will continue to be my goal.

I will be placing "fiscal oversight" on the Council's October agenda as a discussion item. I want to revisit the issues raised regarding the ordinances and collectively assess 1) whether or not we have a majority on the Council who is comfortable with and committed to fiscal oversight and 2) what adjustments to the vetoed ordinances can be made or new ideas can be formulated that will garner the necessary support. Plainfield needs a Council that is proactive in handling its fiduciary responsibilities to residents. The solutions don't have to be my ideas or those put forth by the Administration & Finance committee. I am open and eager to hear solutions that other Councilors may have to address this important issue.

If it turns out that the Council has neither the will nor the ideas, I will drop the matter for the rest of this year and focus on other areas of importance. I have asked each Councilor to be prepared to explain their views and ideas so that we can have a meaningful, open discussion. In addition, I have asked the Administration to participate in the conversation. While I don't expect their negative view on oversight to change, we must continue to weigh their concerns in this discussion. It is only right to do so as our City Charter and Code mandate that the Mayor and Administration execute the policies set by the Council.

Financial oversight is a matter that cities, townships and boroughs across the state are grappling with, not just ours. What will set us apart from these other municipalities is the courage to take action. I urge the public to consider their stance on this matter and share their concerns and suggestions with the Council and Mayor. If you believe in financial oversight, contact your representatives and attend our meetings. Everyone's voice matters. This is not a giant that I can slay alone.

I hope that the Administration will see the benefit in being transparent and working with the Council. I expect the entire Council to come together and work towards what's best for the City. I believe that if we put Plainfield First we will not only reap immediate benefits, but will sow seeds of success for our children and grandchildren.

On the Mayor’s Veto of F.A.I.R. Legislation

2010-09-12T09:48:00.002-04:00

As has been widely publicized, the Mayor vetoed the following 2 key pieces of the F.A.I.R. legislation which, if implemented, would empower the Council to have more financial oversight:

1) ORDINANCE 2010-22 requires the Administration to present all bills for the Council review prior to payment.

How will Plainfield benefit from this Ordinance?
- Many municipalities require the governing body to review bills before payment is made. In some cases these bills cannot be paid without Council approval. Due to Plainfield’s Charter, our Council does not have the authority to approve bill payment. However, we absolutely have the right to oversight and that includes the right to review bills prior to payment. If the governing body recognizes a pattern of spending that is worrisome or warrants further review, we can take the necessary steps to ensure that tax dollars are being spent wisely. A perfect example is the recent WBLS event. I doubt $20,000.00 would have been spent on a 4 hour event had the Administration been required to review the expenditures with the Council first.

What are the Mayor’s primary objections?
- The Mayor argues that additional work will be required of limited staff that is already overworked in order to present the bills in advance each month. This ordinance will force the Administration to pay bills once a month, instead of twice a month. The Mayor believes that this could cause problems with payment schedules for vendors, translating into late fees and other fines charged to the City.

Do the Mayor’s concerns outweigh the benefits? Absolutely not.
- The fact that we have limited staff is not caused by Council decisions. The Mayor has not appointed a qualified CFO and or Director of Administration & Finance. This has been an ongoing issue for years. The Council stated in resolution form that we not only support, but strongly urge the Mayor to move forward quickly in hiring the right financial leadership for the City. It may not be ideal that we are short-staffed, but we should not perpetuate one problem because we have yet to solve another.
- It is true that the Administration will need to pay bills once a month due to the Council’s once monthly meetings. If other municipalities can make it work, we can too. Furthermore, the code already requires that bills be brought before the Council at some point after being paid. So if additional work is being forced on staff it is because they will have to actually provide the documents in a timely fashion, not because there is additional work.
- The late fees, fines and other costs that the Mayor believes will be charged to the City are not a valid concern. Any bills that absolutely must be paid on a certain date (insurance, etc), are specifically stated as exceptions in the ordinance. For all other vendors, a conversation to adjust the payment schedule is all that is needed.

2) ORDINANCE 2010-23 sets the bid threshold at a lower amount to encourage greater competition between vendors.

How will Plainfield benefit from this Ordinance?
- Governor Christie recently adjusted the bid thresholds for awarding contracts by municipalities. The bid threshold for contracting units governed by the Local Public Contracts Law rose from $21,000 to $26,000 on July 1, 2010. If any municipality has an appointed Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) the maximum bid threshold increased from $29,000 to $36,000. Local governing bodies have the authority to adjust this threshold as necessary. This ordinance will adjust that threshold to the pay-to-play level of $17,500. Increased bid competition usually means a better product at a lower cost (which is eventually passed on to taxpayers).

What are the Mayor’s primary objections?
- The Mayor points out this ordinance is lower than the threshold recently re-established by Governor Christie and argues that a lower threshold will prevent quick action to be taken by the purchasing agent. The Mayor states that “procurement/purchasing involves so much more than finding the lowest price”, suggesting that the right quality and quantity of goods will be impossible to find with this ordinance in place. Finally, the Mayor argues that departments will suffer a delay in receiving goods and services.

Are any of the Mayor’s objections valid? Not at all.
- These concerns are not only invalid, but point to a lack of understanding of how the bid process should work. The Governor did raise the bid threshold, and as I explained above, this ordinance is in direct response to this action. In fact, the State recognized the changes that would be caused locally as a result of Gov. Christie’s action and recommended that each municipality decide what bid threshold is appropriate for them.
- Not only do I agree that quality of product should be considered when making a purchasing decision, but I believe this ordinance will achieve exactly that. If there is greater competition, vendors will provide the best product they have at the best rate they can offer. Furthermore, if the correct specifications are put in place when going out to bid, we will receive responses from only the vendors that can meet our needs. If the City’s purchasing department hasn’t figured that out yet, then perhaps this is another area the Council needs to look into.
- Finally, if there is a delay in receiving goods or services, this is due to lack of organization and planning by the Administration and Purchasing Department. Most purchases that the City makes are standard and routine. There is no excuse for not being able to anticipate the expected needs of Departments and make the appropriate purchases in a timely fashion. Again, this sounds like a management problem, not a policy problem.

___________________________________________________________________________________
This veto is the culmination of several steps:

1) The Council approved both ordinances on first reading.

2) The Council approved both ordinances on second reading. Ordinance 2010-22 passed 6-1 with only Councilman Reid dissenting and Ordinance 2010-23 passed 5-2 with Councilman Reid and Councilwoman Carter dissenting.

3) After approval by the Council, the Clerk’s office delivered the ordinances to the Mayor’s office for her signature. The Mayor usually signs the ordinances and returns them to the Clerk’s office. If she does not sign them within 10 days, the law is considered in effect anyway, unless she vetoes the legislation.

4) The Mayor had 10 days from receipt of the ordinances to veto the legislation. As required, the Mayor put her decision in writing and listed her objections to the ordinances in question.
In order to override a veto, the Council must approve a resolution declaring such. The resolution must pass by a super-majority (at least 5 positive votes of a possible 7). The Council agreed to consider the two resolutions allowing us to override the veto of both ordinances at Monday’s meeting. This by no means indicates that the required votes are in place to support the necessary resolutions.

As you can see from above, the ordinances passed on second reading with a super-majority vote although it was not required at the time. If no Councilmember changes their vote due to the Mayor’s ill-founded concerns, the Council can override the veto with no problem. If they do not pass, it is because someone who originally voted in the affirmative changed their vote.

This is the bottom line: a vote against these ordinances is a vote against transparency and fiscal oversight. No resident will be harmed if these ordinances are approved. In fact, taxpayers will benefit tremendously.

.

Letter Regarding Muhlenberg Commemoration

2010-08-13T10:11:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Dottie Gutenkauf for reading this on my behalf at the Muhlenberg Commemoration.

August 11, 2010

To the residents of Plainfield, esteemed elected officials and all who have been affected by the closure of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center:

On behalf of the Plainfield City Council, I thank you for attending tonight’s commemoration, for continuing to fight for access to quality healthcare and for being the force behind your representatives as we deal with major health policies impacting our community.

The closure of Muhlenberg Hospital has had catastrophic affects on Plainfield and neighboring communities. We are left dealing with increased travel time to emergency rooms, inadequate ambulance service and the loss of the personal touch that only the doctors, nurses and staff at Muhlenberg could offer. Sadly, that is not all. As a major employer of Plainfield residents, the hospital’s closure has added to an already high unemployment rate at a time when we need jobs.

This is an injustice that must be dealt with. Earlier this year, the 2010 Plainfield City Council unanimously approved a resolution that was sent to Governor Chris Christie, urging him to re-examine the closing of the hospital. We want him to see for himself what we already know – that the closure of our hospital was an injustice.

Although the Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal regarding the dismissed lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Health, we will support the Administration in pursuing further legal action. As Council liaison to the Community Advisor Group, I have been keeping the entire Council informed of ongoing matters. We are here to continue the fight alongside Plainfield residents and the heroes and sheroes of the POP Restore Muhlenberg Coalition.

Warmest Regards,
Annie McWilliams

.

F.A.I.R. Legislation Passes, More Action to be Taken

2010-07-21T10:16:00.005-04:00

On Monday, the Plainfield City Council advanced major items improving financial oversight and management of all City funds. Three resolutions were approved and two ordinances were approved on first reading (with seconding and final reading to occur in August). Two additional ordinances will be introduced in August (with second and final reading to occur in September). Collectively, these 7 items can be referred to as the Fiscal Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility Legislation Package (FAIR for short).

There were several changes made throughout the night. Here is a review on Monday night’s meeting as it relates to these items:

3 RESOLUTIONS AMENDED AND APPROVED

1) Resolution requesting that the State appoint a temporary Certified Financial Officer (CFO) and assist the Administration in hiring a qualified, certified permanent CFO

At Monday’s meeting, the Administration announced that a candidate for CFO had been offered a position and as such, this resolution was no longer necessary and should not be considered. Upon hearing this, I requested that a copy of the offer letter and applicant’s resume be provided to the Council. The City Administrator informed the Council that such information was not available. I requested a 10 minute recess so that the information could be retrieved from City Hall by the City Administrator, Corporation Counsel, Mayor and Mayor’s Confidential Aide (all of whom were at the meeting). Unfortunately, the Administration opted to not retrieve any of the information that the Council requested. As such, several members of the Council urged that we move forward but agreed to amend the resolution so that if a qualified candidate was brought before the Council and approved on or before July 28th, the resolution would be considered null and void. The purpose of this resolution is not to embarrass the Mayor or Administration, but to ensure that we have adequate staff in place. If the Mayor was able to find a qualified person, even if it was at the last minute, the Council should be willing to look into this candidate. A special meeting on July 28th will provide us with the opportunity to review and possibly approve a CFO. If this happens, then the resolution will be considered null and void and no copies will be sent to the State. If not, the resolution will be put in our records and sent to the State as originally intended.

2) Resolution urging the Mayor to fill the position of Director of Administration & Finance immediately

Similar to the CFO position, the Administration announced that a candidate for this position had been identified, although no offer had yet been extended. Again, the Council opted to move forward with the resolution, but amended it so that if a qualified candidate was approved on or before July 28th, the resolution would be considered null and void.

3) Resolution appointing FY2011 Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC)

Minor changes were made and 2 new names were added to the list of appointees.

2 ORDINANCES APPROVED ON FIRST READING
** These items will return to the Council in August for second and final reading

4) Ordinance requiring the Administration to present all bills for the Council review prior to payment

5) Ordinance setting the bid threshold at a lower amount to encourage greater competition between vendors

2 ORDINANCES SET FOR AUGUST AGENDA
**If approved in August, these items will return to the Council in September for second and final reading

6) Ordinance setting a strict policy limiting discretionary spending for this administration and every administration that follows

7) Ordinance requiring the City to utilize an RFP process for City’s designated banking service provider

This item was originally on Monday’s agenda as a resolution. However, upon discussion with Corporation Counsel, it was advised that the Council put this in Ordinance form to better meet the Council’s intentions or making this a long-term practice. The resolution was tabled indefinitely, but the item will return in the form of an ordinance in August.

.

Policy That Will Put Our Financial House in Order

2010-07-17T00:26:00.009-04:00

At the beginning of the year, I identified several goals for the Council. Those goals included improving the budget process and evaluating the City’s current financial policies. The July 19th agenda will contain six major items improving financial oversight and management of all city funds. If passed, these resolutions and ordinances will make the City more efficient, more effective and a better steward of your tax dollars.

There are two resolutions urging that appointments to key administrative positions be filled expeditiously, ensuring that the City has the right people in place to review and manage the budget.

Resolution requesting that the State appoint a temporary Certified Financial Officer (CFO) and assist the Administration in hiring a qualified, certified permanent CFO:

This position has been vacant for over 2 ½ years, contributing to a late budget introduction, repeat audit findings and poor financial controls. The State has granted the City two extensions on this matter thus far. It is likely that a third extension will be granted when the second extension expires this Monday. This resolution gives the background of the situation, identifies problems resulting from operating without a CFO and specifies action that the State can take to help our City. This did not have enough support last month to move forward. I hope that the Council will unanimously support this resolution this time.

Resolution urging the Mayor to fill the position of Director of Administration & Finance immediately:

This position has been inconsistently filled over the last 5 years and vacant since the beginning of this year. There are no records of this position being advertised for. Furthermore, the City’s Charter (which lays out the legal structure of City government) requires that this position be appointed by the Mayor. We are currently out of compliance with the Charter.

There is one ordinance setting policy around fiscal restraint, guaranteeing less waste of tax dollars and wiser use of public funds.

Ordinance setting a strict policy limiting discretionary spending for this administration and every administration that follows:

When the City accepted extraordinary aid from the State during the last fiscal year, we agreed to terms and conditions limiting the use of funds on items not critical to the functioning of the City for that fiscal year. As a result, there was a hold on the purchase of food, flowers, social events, etc. This ordinance will keep similar limitations in place indefinitely.

There are two ordinances granting the Council access to financial information and the ability to provide better oversight.

Ordinance requiring the Administration to present all bills for the Council review prior to payment:

Many municipalities require that the governing body review bills before payment is made. In some cases these bills cannot be paid without Council approval. Due to Plainfield’s Charter, our Council does not have the authority to approve bills. However, we absolutely have the right to oversight and that includes the right to review bills prior to payment. If the governing body recognizes a pattern of spending that is worrisome or warrants further review, we can take the necessary steps to ensure that tax dollars are being spent wisely.

Ordinance setting the bid threshold at a lower amount to encourage greater competition between vendors:

Governor Christie recently adjusted the bid thresholds for awarding contracts by municipalities. The bid threshold for contracting units governed by the Local Public Contracts Law rose from $21,000 to $26,000 on July 1, 2010. If any municipality has an appointed Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) the maximum bid threshold increased from $29,000 to $36,000. Local governing bodies have the authority to adjust this threshold as necessary. This ordinance will adjust that threshold to the pay-to-play level of $17,500.

There is one resolution mandating the continued involvement of residents in the budget process.

Resolution appointing FY2011 Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC):

The budget process is one of the most important aspects of running the City. The Mayor sets forth her vision when she introduces the budget. The Council can then adjust the proposed budget by increasing or decreasing funds as it sees fit, being sure to meet all obligations while prioritizing where city funds are most needed. An important piece of this process is the CBAC. This committee, made up of 16 residents appointed by the Council and Mayor, has the responsibility to review the introduced budget, attend budget hearings and make final recommendations to the Council before amendments are made and the budget is adopted. The proposed goals for this year’s CBAC are:
a. Conduct analysis comparing Plainfield to municipalities with similar size, demographics and budget size to review sources and types of revenue, service costs, etc.
b. Identify possibilities for shared services, reviewing what shared service agreements, if any, similar municipalities have agreed to
c. Identify core services, as defined by residents and rank their priority order
d. Make a final set of budget recommendations for 2011 Budget

These items were initially vetted by the Council’s Administration & Finance Committee and then shared with the Administration. After feedback was received and legal review conducted, they were then recommended to the entire governing body. At Monday’s agenda fixing session, there was consensus to put these items up for Monday’s vote. In other words, none of these items are surprises to either Councilors or the Administration. All have had an opportunity to express their support or concerns about each and every item.

I support ALL of the above motions. Despite concerns from the Administration, the Council is not overstepping any boundaries in proposing these items. We are simply acting on our right and obligation to oversee the City’s financials, ensure that competent, qualified people occupy our top management positions and continue to work towards tax stabilization.
.

Strong Financial Leadership Needed

2010-06-22T09:36:00.005-04:00

Plainfield has not had a certified CFO for over 2 years and has suffered major vacancies in the position of Director of Administration & Finance for the last 5 years. Without a strong financial leadership team in place, the business of the City cannot be handled properly. This is an issue that should outrage all residents!

By not having these key positions filled, the City has suffered from lack of direction and oversight and poor financial planning and management. These shortcomings have manifested themselves in major ways including a late budget introduction, repeatedly unaddressed audit findings and questionable financial decision-making.

The Council is ultimately responsible for the finances of the City. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the public and cannot be afraid to insist that more be done to address any issue, especially one so critical to the basic functioning of government.

At last night’s meeting the Council had an opportunity to begin correcting this situation with the approval of Resolution 190-10. That resolution, however, failed to pass. Councilors Mapp, Storch and I voted in favor of the resolution. Councilors Burney and Reid did not. Councilors Rivers and Carter were not present at the time of the vote.

The resolution gives a brief synopsis of the current financial management situation that Plainfield is facing and why the need for a qualified CFO is so vital to the functioning of the City. Ultimately it calls on the State to appoint a temporary CFO and assist the Administration in finding a qualified permanent CFO. The language of the resolution is included at the end of this post.

The Administration made it clear that they completely oppose this resolution, arguing that the Mayor alone has the ability to appoint a CFO and that the Council would overstep its boundaries in passing such a resolution. I do not believe that this is the case as the resolution is clearly asking the STATE to make an appointment. Surely the Governor has more authority than the Mayor.

The Administration also attempted to make the case that the resolution was offensive by making it seem that the Mayor has done nothing to appoint a CFO. As I said on Monday night, this resolution is not intended to offend anyone, nor is it the intent of any Councilperson to disparage the Mayor’s efforts. This is not about the Mayor. This is about the residents of Plainfield and what is right for them.

Over the course of the week it became clear that certain members of the Council also did not agree with the resolution, believing that at the very least we should wait until after the 90 day extension from the state (the third granted) expires on July 19th. The problem here is that the Division of Local Government Services has continually granted extensions. What will cause DLS to take pause and do something different? The passing of this resolution could have done just that.

Although the resolution did not pass, I am including it on the July agenda. By then, perhaps all members of the Council will see wisdom in pressing forward and putting Plainfield First.

Councilmanic Resolution Requesting the Division of Local Government Services, in the Department of Community Affairs, to appoint a Temporary CMFO for the City of Plainfield

WHEREAS Plainfield has not had a permanent Certified Municipal Financial Officer (CMFO) since the retirement of Peter Sepelya in 2008; and

WHEREAS the lack of a permanent, Certified Municipal Financial Officer is compounded by the lack of a Director of Administration and Finance, a position that has been vacant since Bibi Taylor elevated to the position of City Administrator on Jan 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS the Plainfield City Council has not received regular monthly financial reports during the time of these vacancies thus impairing its ability to carry out its financial fiduciary responsibilities; and

WHEREAS Plainfield had many financial audit findings in the most recent annual audit, many of which were repeat findings; and

WHEREAS the FY2010 introduced budget was presented to City Council on November 23,2009, almost 5 1/2 months into the fiscal year, making it extremely difficult for the governing body to reduce a 10% introduced property tax increase; and

WHEREAS the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs has extended the deadline for Plainfield to fill the CMFO position for the third time to July 19, 2010; and

WHEREAS the Plainfield City Council has continually urged the Mayor to appoint a qualified candidate with no success to date,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Plainfield City Council hereby requests the Department of Community Affairs to appoint a temporary CMFO immediately, and provide assistance to Plainfield in recruiting a qualified, permanent CMFO.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that duly authenticated copies of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Chris Christie, Commissioner of Community Affairs, Acting Director of the Division of Local Government Services, Marc Pfifer, Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs and Assemblyman Gerald Green.

Albert T. McWilliams III in the Paper/ Update on McWilliams kids

2010-06-14T11:34:00.004-04:00

Residents constantly ask me about how my family is doing. For those who are wondering, click on the link below.

The link will take you to an article on my little brother, Albert McWilliams III, which was published in the Sunday Edition of the Courier News. He was recently accepted into the highly competitive Institute for Responsible Citizenship and will be interning in D.C. this summer. He is doing very well at Yale University where he just completed his second year. As you can imagine, my mother and our entire family is extremely proud of him.

The article also mentions the successes of my other younger brother and sisters. Allison (21) recently graduated last month from Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.A. in Film & Television. She produced a number of short films and music videos while on campus and has her own production company – Beyond Sight Films.

Adam (17) will be graduating from Union County Magnet High School this week and attending Fordham University in the Fall. Although he isn’t sure what he wants to study, the excellent education he received at the Magnet School (a public school) has given him a college-level understanding of technology and science.

Avery (15) is a sophomore in high school and excelling in school, sports and socializing. As the youngest of 5, she is truly 15 going on 50. She is also passionate about cooking and has a gift for making delicious dishes.

***I want to thank Mark Spivey for consistently writing positive articles about Plainfield. It is easy to write controversial stories that highlight only negativity, but Mark has found many positive stories about Plainfield residents that give us all a sense of pride.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100612/NEWS/100612008/1018/NEWS0401

.

Congratulations to Rebecca Williams

2010-06-14T11:24:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Candidate-elect Rebecca Williams for a well-run and hard-fought campaign. The numbers speak for themselves and indicate that residents continue to seek positive change. Rebecca Williams is a loyal member of the New Democrats and the mastermind behind many successful campaigns, including my own. Her background as an activist and educator give her a skill set that we need to move the City forward. I have no doubt that with a favorable outcome in the general election she will bring a passionate and progressive point of view to the 2011 City Council.

I hope that Councilman Burney and long-time Plainfielder Don Davis will continue to offer their many talents to the City. It will take more than just the City Council to improve Plainfield.

Emotions run high in elections and local primaries are no “exception to the rule”. As I stated at the Democratic City Committee at which Councilman Burney was given party support, after the campaign is over, we have to put our differences aside and work together for the sake of Plainfield. Working together does not mean blind loyalty. It means checking egos at the door and leaving petty politics out of serious city business. If all City leadership does this, we can make meaningful progress.

.

Setting Expectations for the FY2011 Budget

2010-04-11T18:47:00.005-04:00

On Monday evening the Council will consider Resolution R135-10 Councilmanic Resolution Encouraging Timely Introduction of the State Fiscal Year 2011 Municipal Operating Budget. The resolution describes the importance of the budget and why it is necessary to adopt the budget as early as possible. Ultimately it urges the Administration to introduce the budget no later than September 1 and the Council to adopt the budget no later than November 1.

At last week’s agenda fixing session several of my colleagues said that they would not support this resolution. I firmly believe that this resolution is important and must be passed. The Council has a responsibility to the public to set the right policies and expectations for the Administration. There is no reason to adopt the budget 8 months into the fiscal year, or after 2/3 of the year is complete, as was the case this year. That is completely unacceptable and we must change things. The Council needs to set the tone early for what is acceptable.

The problem with such a late introduction is that the City is operating without a true 12-month spending plan which, to me, indicates a lack of vision and prioritization. How can you invest in the right divisions if you’ve spent all of your money without a plan? In addition, a late introduction means that any amendments that the Council makes have little time to take hold in. So, if the Council sees a way to save money, we can’t implement any adjustment until so late in the year that the effect is minimal. As it stands, the process doesn’t do justice to the taxpayer.

Ideally the budget would be adopted before (or concurrent to) the start of the fiscal year. However, there are a few challenges that currently prevent us from doing that. The City must be audited before a budget can be introduced, but the audit cannot happen until after the previous year is closed out. That may push us into the new fiscal year, but in the past the audit has been ready as early as the first half of August, so this does not contribute to an 8-month overdue budget. Also, in the past we have waited on extraordinary aid figures. Given the current financial situation of the State, it is no longer to our benefit to wait for extraordinary aid figures to be confirmed. We should assume that no aid will be given and plan accordingly.

Through discussion with the Administration, the city’s auditors and the Council’s Administration & Finance Committee I was able to put together a timeline that should be reasonable enough to meet. In order to meet this deadline, however, due diligence and planning is required of both the Administration and the Council. Should this resolution receive support from all Councilors and the Administration follow the policy set by the governing body, we will be moving in the right direction. It will also put us a step closer to introducing, amending and adopting the budget by the start of the fiscal year.

The language from the resolution is below:

COUNCILMANIC RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING TIMELY INTRODUCTION
OF THE STATE FISCAL YEAR 2011 MUNICIPAL OPERATING BUDGET

WHEREAS, a municipality’s budget is much more than an accounting document, but a plan of how to best use limited resources to benefit the City’s nearly 50,000 residents. It serves as a vision for the City by setting priorities and supporting a strategic plan that will affect residents both during the current fiscal year and for many years following that; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to the residents of Plainfield. The Council is charged with approving the appropriations and expenditures of over $73,000,000 in taxpayer money. The Council has an obligation to its stakeholders to weigh the benefits of services provided with the costs associated with those services. The Council must make decisions that may impact all city services during the budget process; and

WHEREAS, the residents of Plainfield, more than ever, are depending on the City Council and all City leadership to be mindful of the tax burden and their need for quality services. Plainfield residents, not unlike most Americans, are suffering in this economic downturn and understand that the budget affects not only their pockets, but also their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the Administration has the responsibility of providing the City Council with timely, accurate information and recommendations that will permit the City Council to approve funding that provides the residents with the services they require or request; and

WHEREAS, it is of the utmost importance to have a well-planned budget process in place, allowing for the efficient exchange of information and discussion. This includes, but is not limited to, state mandates required of all New Jersey municipalities and City Council mandates, such as the formation of Plainfield’s Citizen Budget Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is desirous of maintaining a positive working relationship with the Administration and believes that setting expectations early for both branches of government will only strengthen that relationship; and

WHEREAS, the 2010 City Council of the City of Plainfield recognizes the need to adopt the FY2011 budget as early as possible to allow for healthy discussion of all that the budget entails and for a balanced spending plan to be put in place; and

WHEREAS, this governing body is aware of the statutory deadline requiring the budget to be introduced by August 10, and fully recognize the difficulty the administration may encounter with meeting this statutory deadline; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2010 City Council of the City of Plainfield urges the Administration to move expeditiously toward the introduction of a budget no later than September 1, 2010 which will allow for the timely adoption of the FY2011 Budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the timeline memorialized in this document be respected and followed by all parties involved in Plainfield’s budget process.

Completion Date & Action Taken
September 1 - Introduction of Budget
September 10 - City Council holds Internal Budget Hearings
October 10 - CBAC Presentation
October 15 - City Council Administration & Finance Committee Recommends Budget Amendments
October 20 - Council Reviews and Approves Budget Amendments
November 1 - Budget Adoption

.

Fiscal Year 2010 in Review

2010-03-10T17:59:00.005-05:00

On Monday night the Council approved a lay-off plan. This act was the last required in fixing our budget woes this fiscal year. While I understand why several of my colleagues voted against the plan, the reality is that the Council was left with little choice. Based on discussions with the Administration, had the layoff plan failed on Monday night even more employees would have been affected because there would have been less time in which to achieve the same amount of expense reductions.

It was not an easy choice. It is not a choice I hope to make again. Let’s review where this fiscal year went wrong and what the City’s leadership must do to keep history from repeating itself.

1) Problem: Lack of financial leadership
Solution: Fill the roles of CFO and Director of Administration & Finance. Explore why we have not attracted qualified candidates. Based on those conclusions, create and commit to an aggressive search for a qualified CFO and Director of Admin & Finance.

This is, without a doubt, the main cause of Plainfield’s financial difficulties. The City has not had consistent financial leadership in 5 years. We have not even had a permanent CFO for over 2 years. We currently do not have a Director of Administration & Finance. This means that our City Administrator is essentially filling the role of multiple positions at once. This is both unnecessary and irresponsible. Without a CFO or Director of Admin & Fin, there is limited oversight to the city’s financial processes and no checks and balances. We cannot begin a new fiscal year without whole financial leadership in place.

2) Problem: Failed union negotiations
Solution: Ensure that union concerns are being addressed to foster better working relationships with the Administration.

Poor communication, unreasonable expectations and uncooperative attitudes contributed heavily to the creation of this year’s layoff plan. Before a layoff plan is submitted to the Council for approval, unions have the opportunity to negotiate and agree to concessions or givebacks in lieu of layoffs. It is only after some unions communicated that they would rather move forward with layoffs than consider concessions that a layoff plan was created by the Administration. In these economic times everyone must give a little. In order to develop better relationships with the unions, City leadership must work to understand and meet their needs. For example, several PMEA members expressed concerns about employees living outside of the City. The Council started discussion on this matter and will continue that discussion in April’s meeting in order to determine how we can address the PMEA’s concerns.

3) Problem: Late budget introduction
Solution: FY 2011 budget introduction no later than September 1. Look into moving toward a Calendar year budget.

The fiscal year begins in July, however the budget was not introduced by the Mayor until mid-November, already 1/3 of the way through the fiscal year. The Council was then rushed to render budget hearings, gain consensus on and approval on amendments and approve the budget. All this was done in just two months. Now, in March, we are approving a layoff plan that due to state mandated timelines, won’t take effect until May. This leaves us with barely 2 months of savings. The obvious solution is to ensure that the budget is introduced earlier. If the budget was introduced earlier, there would have been more time left in the fiscal year so fewer employees would have been affected. Another solution that the Council has been discussing for some time is to move to a calendar year model. A budget year that runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 will align us with terms of elected officials and prevent delays for political reasons.

4) Problem: Unclear expectations set by City Council
Solution: Council should adopt a resolution specifying a timeline for FY2011 budget process and urging the Administration to follow the set timeline.

Good leadership requires accepting responsibility when things go wrong. The Council did not set clear standards for the Administration. We must set higher standards. As a member of the Finance Committee, I requested that a formal schedule be put together and distributed to the Council. The Council should review this timeline and incorporate it into a resolution urging the Administration to act in the best interest of the City by moving the budget process along as quickly as possible.

I am committed to putting the City’s financial house in order. As Council President, I take this process very seriously. The Council’s fiduciary responsibilities cannot be taken lightly.

I am open to other suggestions on making the process a better one. Please share your thoughts. How do you think we can improve the budget process?

.

2010 Budget Adopted

2010-02-17T00:15:00.003-05:00

Tonight the Council finally took the last steps needed to put the FY 2010 budget in place. Since we already approved the amendments put forth earlier this month, we had only two options – to either adopt the budget or vote it down. There were no other options. Following the roll call the budget was adopted 4-3. Although I would have preferred unanimous support of the budget, I am still pleased with tonight’s outcome.

We were 8 months into SFY 2010 without an adopted budget. Delaying a vote to adopt the budget would have resulted in less savings for taxpayers and would have put us closer to the originally proposed 9.6% tax increase instead of the now 7.5% tax increase. While a 7.5% tax increase is nothing to brag about, it is certainly an improvement. More importantly, it sets the stage for greater savings next year. Now that the SFY 2010 budget is adopted, we can move forward and begin planning for SFY 2011.

As has been stated several times before, this has not been an easy process – but this is what true leadership is about – examining the details, separating necessities from desires, and making tough decisions. I commend the Council for working so diligently on this budget and being willing to make decisions that may not be politically expedient but that are the right thing to do for our taxpayers and residents.

The adopted budget will not be detrimental to the operation of the City. Rather, it will force us all to live within our means and be more creative and efficient in our operations. Plainfield’s finest will be able to continue to serve and protect, Public Works will continue to plow our streets, and the Recreation Department will continue to serve our kids and will not need to cut a single program. This budget may not be ideal but our taxpayers cannot afford a nearly 10% tax increase. As has become our motto, we must all share in the pain.

.

Providing Quality Social Services in Plainfield at a Minimal Cost to Taxpayers

2010-01-22T20:23:00.001-05:00

At Tuesday night’s meeting dozens of parents and concerned residents that have used or currently use services provided by the Bilingual Daycare Center filled the Courthouse. Through earlier conversations with some of these individuals, I learned that misinformation had been spread concerning the Council’s discussion of WIC, PAS and the Bilingual Daycare Center, all social services provided by the City of Plainfield. As I stated repeatedly at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Council did not plan nor is currently prepared to take any official action regarding any social services in Plainfield. We are, however, looking into more cost efficient ways to house these programs. The Council‘s goal is not to “dump” any program, but to ensure that these services are provided, without interruption and at the same quality level for those using the services but at a lower cost to taxpayers.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a food and nutrition program that provides food and educational services to income eligible families. PAS (Plainfield Action Services) provides referrals for individuals in need of a variety of services. The Bilingual Daycare Center provides quality daycare for families who work during the day and need trusted care for their young children. All of these programs have impacted many families over many years. I understand why so many residents are passionate about the continued provision of these services. As I have stated publicly before, we must continue to invest in our children and families and these programs allow us to do just that.

In these challenging times, however, the Council must act both socially responsible and fiscally responsible. While federal and state grants cover a sizeable portion of costs associated with these organizations, personnel and administrative costs are passed on to the City's budget. Research may reveal that it is best to privatize (such as what was done with Dudley House), utilize County equivalent services (such as what was done with Welfare some time ago) or to leave the services as they are. Regardless of the outcome, research must be done.

In order to ensure that there is significant input from community leaders and residents that use these services, the Council has created a Social Services Committee. Each Council member will appoint one resident. This ad-hoc Committee has been created solely for the purposes of aiding in this research and will dissolve upon resolution of the matter. The Committee will work with and advise the Council before any decisions are made so that a well thought out solution is presented for approval.

As the year progresses there will be more updates on this matter.

.

2010 Goals & Priorities

2010-01-16T04:18:00.002-05:00

2010 will be a busy year as I have an aggressive agenda. I am confident that my colleagues on the Council are not only up to the challenge, but excited to see what positive change we can bring in 12 months. A crucial part of making any change is planning, so, as Council President, I outlined Plainfield’s major needs and put a schedule together that would provide the Council with the best plan for addressing those concerns. Each quarter (approximately) will have a different focus.

Q1: INTERNAL FOCUS

During the beginning of the year the Council will focus on the basics – identifying priorities we can all agree on, creating short-term goals and putting the City’s financial house in order.

Committee and liaison appointments will be voted on early in the year (Tuesday night, in fact). These appointments are key because Council members will be assigned responsibility for representing the Council’s concerns and keeping the public informed on specified matters.

2010 Budget Adoption is a goal for early this year. I hate the fact that we will be adopting this budget so late in the fiscal year, just like everyone else. The good news is the Council is taking the lead in internal 2011 budget planning. We will not be in the same position again.

A retreat is being planned. Currently the retreat is scheduled for February, however that date will likely change as some scheduling conflicts have been pointed out. In addition to fostering a better working relationship between the Council and Administration, the retreat will provide an opportunity for City leadership to discuss areas of agreement and create a plan for progress.

Q2: RECONNECTING WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS

Once some basic housekeeping has been completed, the Council will focus on reconnecting with the community. At this point we will be able to share 2010 goals and priorities with the public and get feedback. In addition, the Council will dive deep into subjects that have serious community implications.

4 Town Halls are scheduled for March and April. The Council will hold an open forum in each ward. Residents can submit any questions in advance to their representatives. Answers to these questions will be prepared, an update will be provided by ward leaders and residents will have an opportunity to address their concerns on the floor.

2 Working Sessions are scheduled for May and June. The Council will explore Economic Development and Social Services at those sessions. Our current state and our desired state on these issues will be discussed.

Q3: 2011 BUDGET PROCESS

A wise person once told me that a city’s budget is not papers, but a living, breathing document. It identifies a city’s priorities and illustrates city leadership’s vision. Although steps to address our financial concerns will be taken throughout the year, this quarter will mark the beginning of the 2011 budget process. The Council will review audit findings and hold budget hearings.

Q4: CREATING A LONG-TERM PLAN

This quarter will require the most communication and joint effort by the Council and Administration. By now, I would hope that budget introduction and adoption is completed or in the works with most of the action needed to stabilize taxes taken earlier in the year. During this time, the Council will begin piecing together a long-term plan for the City. Each committee will have met and reported throughout the year, identifying strategies that are necessary to move the city forward. What should Plainfield’s finances, downtown and services be like in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? What areas should we be investing in now and down the line to make that happen? These are the questions that we must begin to grapple with this year.

The 2010 Plainfield City Council Calendar has been published and is available on the City’s website.

I will be blogging through the year about much of what is included in this post. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

.

Plainfield First

2010-01-03T16:09:00.006-05:00

Below is a copy of my speech given at the 2010 Plainfield City Council Reorganization Meeting. I am looking forward to leading the 2010 Council. Past President Burney set us on the right path and now it is up to me to ensure the Council is bringing about positive change. Later this week I will post information on the overarching goals for this year.

Best,
Annie

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Afternoon.

Friends, Family and Supporters - Happy New Year!

I must first thank God who has ushered us safely into a new decade and who continues to watch over our City.

I must also thank my family - Mom, Allie, Albert III, Adam and Avery. Your never-ending love and support encourage me. You are my strength.

To our newly elected Councilwoman Rivers and re-elected Mayor Robinson-Briggs - Congratulations. I look forward to working closely with both of you.

To my colleagues on the Council. Thank you for your unanimous support. I am deeply honored to be your choice for Council President. In our personal conversations, we have often discussed what a better Plainfield looks like. I am ready to lead us toward that brighter future.

And to the residents of Plainfield, thank you for your continued support. My commitment to bringing positive change to this community has never wavered and is stronger than ever.

As I reflect on the people and places that encompass our City - our senior citizens and youth, young couples and families, residents of all backgrounds, orientation and colors, our places of worship, schools, community centers, parks and plazas, I am encouraged. Plainfield is much more than just streets and boundaries. Plainfield is a community unlike any other. Our history, diversity and potential will overcome any challenge if City leadership continues to put the needs of our residents first.

For many years my parents hosted functions at our family home. For one particular event, the words “Plainfield First” were framed and used as part of a table centerpiece. The frame was used at several events and was never far out of sight. Even now, the frame is still kept at the house, usually placed among family photos or on a bookshelf. Although today, I brought it with me.

These words, “Plainfield First”, are particularly meaningful at this point in time. The challenges that we face are many. With a looming tax burden, slow economic development, concerns about local medical attention and safety in our neighborhoods it is easy to despair. I am confident that that there are reasonable and actionable solutions. We only need to work with a united approach and focus on the issues.

I promise strong leadership balanced with thoughtful decision-making and with an eye towards unity. In 2010 we must make Plainfield first.

.

Volunteers Needed for Domestic Violence Response Team

2009-09-16T07:58:00.005-04:00

Domestic Violence (sometimes called Intimate Partner Violence) is a growing national concern. In fact, the Obama Administration recently created a new position for the first ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women. Lynn Rosenthal, a former director of a women’s shelter and former Executive Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, has been appointed to this role. Domestic Violence affects many households across the country. According to The National Organization for Women there were nearly 5 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes in 2006. Sadly, domestic violence is closely tied to the murder rate as homicides and homicide-suicides are often committed by intimate partners. It is estimated that 3 women each day are murdered by spouses or boyfriends. While less information is available on men who are victims of domestic abuse, we do know that abuse does not affect just women. Domestic abuse is an issue affecting the Plainfield community. Below is a press release from the Plainfield Police Department with information on one way we are addressing this need. If you have the time and passion, please consider volunteering.

Volunteers Needed for Domestic Violence Response Team

The Plainfield Police Department, in conjunction with YWCA of Eastern Union County, is looking for volunteers to assist victims of domestic abuse. Specially trained volunteer advocates will meet confidentially with victims of domestic abuse at police headquarters on an on-call basis. Volunteer advocates, who are members of the community, provide support, information and referrals to victims at police headquarters. These advocates are trained to empower victims to make decisions about their own lives.

Applicant requirements:
- Must be 18+ years of age
- Must have access to transportation
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Must submit background check and fingerprinting

A 40 hour mandatory training course will be provided free of charge to successful applicants. YWCA-EUC will be conducting the training beginning in September. Classes are being held twice per week in the evenings in Cranford. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required. The Plainfield Police Department and YWCA-EUC are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community Bi-lingual capability is a plus.

To request a DVRT application, please contact Divya Dodhia at 908-355-1500 ext. 18, ddodhia@ywcaeuc.org, Detective Thelma Williams at 908-226-8004 or Sgt. Francess Bennette at 908-226-2517.

.

Michael Jackson 101

2009-09-03T23:54:00.012-04:00

On Sunday afternoon I enjoyed a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, entitled, Michael Jackson 101. The production was a collaboration between M.PoWeR Performing Arts and H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Show Choir. M.PoWeR Performing Arts sponsored the very successful local production of Raisin in the Sun that ran at the YWCA earlier this year. H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E . Show Choir won first place at the 2009 McDonald’s Gospelfest (after winning in 2006 and 2008 as well). Both groups are based in Plainfield and the participants, largely children for this particular production, all hail from the Queen City.

The production was lively and fun and filled with best of MJ. The show captured the genius of Michael Jackson but also showcased the amazing talent that exists in our community. Enjoy my (very amateur) photos!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

M.PoWeR Performing Arts

Become a fan on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/MPoWeR-Performing-Arts/129327633400)

H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Inc.

See website here - http://www.heritageprograms.org/

IT Moving Forward

2009-08-18T12:46:00.007-04:00

The IT Manager Ordinance has passed on the first reading. While similar to the ordinance that was proposed earlier this year, there are some key differences that I would like to highlight:

We are no longer hiring a Director, but a Manager. The difference in title means a difference in salary. We will no longer be mandated to pay a Director upwards of $130,000, a salary that I thought was too high. As it turns out, the salary research that I requested of the administration revealed that a slightly lower salary range was more fitting (70k-110k). While this is still no drop in the bucket, I recognize that we need to pay for talent. We just don’t need to overpay. And we certainly don’t need to overpay without seeing what this person will actually deliver on.
An IT citizen advisory committee is being put in place to help steer the development of an IT Department. This Council appointed committee of 14 residents share a background in technology and management. They are charged with using their knowledge to help ensure that an IT Manager is delivering what we need and is not taking advantage of our limited resources. The basic goals have been laid out by the administration already include upgrading and maintenance of existing hardware and software and support of the newly implemented Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and telecommunication system (VOIP).
Shared Services is being considered as a way to save costs city-wide. The Council’s IT sub-committee will continue to look into what type of agreements make the most sense. I believe there will be an opportunity to share technicians/help-desk employees between the City and other local entities (ex: Board of Ed., Public Library) in the near-future.
We have an idea of how much money, about $200,000 total, will be spent on an IT department. These figures were provided to the Council by the Administration. The Council will have an opportunity to revisit this issue soon as we are approaching budget season. I am sure that the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee will weigh on this issue as well.

Creating this position is a step in the right direction. I will continue to work to ensure that this is a successful endeavor. Plainfield can now move successfully into the 21^st century. I look forward to seeing City Hall run more efficiently and residents being able to take advantage of our technological advancements.

I would like to thank the outspoken residents, the rest of the Council and the administration for ensuring that my questions were answered and my concerns addressed. I believe that this will be the standard going forward.

A Reflection on Legacies

2009-08-16T20:15:00.004-04:00

My dad would be turning 56 tomorrow. It’s never easy to continue living without a loved one. I often think about the major life events that will be different for me and my siblings than what we imagined growing up because our dad won’t be there – graduations, weddings, births of his grandchildren.

With the recent passing of former Mayor Rick Taylor, I know that holidays, birthdays and anniversaries will be bittersweet for the Taylor family for years to come. I wish them strength during days like this. These days may never carry the joy that they used to, but they do become much easier. You have to hold on to the happy memories and talk about the good times. It’s how you will move on without forgetting.

It is a huge comfort in knowing that a person lives on through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His legacy can be continued for generations. Dr. Yood’s Aug 9^th blog captures the essence of this – http://dpotpourri.blogspot.com/2009/08/immortality.html.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rev. Gloria Taylor over the weekend. She is a strong woman and her family is blessed to have her as their rock during this time. We talked about the well-known celebrities and activists that Mayor Taylor brought to Plainfield and his passion for equal rights. Mayor Taylor was a public servant in the truest form.

I will undoubtedly spend the rest of this week reflecting on the legacies of these two former Mayors who contributed greatly to our City.

The Great Tax Abatement Debate - Part II

2009-08-04T11:41:00.009-04:00

One issue that has come up over and over again is the need for a vision of Plainfield’s downtown. If we had a vision, if we had more clearly set policies tied to that vision, there would not be so many questions when it comes to making decisions. Plainfield’s leadership team needs to set a clear vision for economic development. We also must set policies surrounding the use of development incentives (such as tax abatements). I have had this discussion with many of my colleagues on the Council as well as the Mayor and her administration. I think most people agree with this. Like most great ideas, the hardest part is making it a reality. This is something I will visit again in another blog post.

Now back to the Monarch…

Below are a series of questions that I have shared with my colleagues on the Council and have asked the administration to address:

Will a 5-year tax abatement ensure that the project will neither fail nor become rentals? This is a key concern I have. Do we need to put measures in place to guarantee that a tax abatement will lead to success? Can we evaluate the success of the project after 12 months and rescind the tax abatement if needed?
What will happen if the project fails? What is the effect in 5 years? 10 years? How would a failed project affect other developer’s decisions to build here in the future? What impact would that have on our goal of TOD (transit-oriented development)? Again, I’m not sure how to quantify this. Some people are convinced that if this development fails, then banks will not see our downtown as a wise investment and deny future developers the loans to build there.
What will happen if the building becomes a rental? What is the effect in 5 years? 10 years? Typically, although not always, rentals lower property value. The best municipalities strive for a housing stock that meets the affordability requirements of its residents so that people can own. The belief is that property ownership = pride in one’s property = well-maintained property = increased property value. Certainly we have enough rentals in the City already.
What taxes were being assessed & collected on the property before being sold to the developer? My understanding is that no taxes ($0) have been collected on this property in recent years.
If the full estimated tax amount of $400,000 is collected, what effect will that have on the total amount of taxes collected? I believe we would collect about 0.6% more taxes a year = $400,000 (full tax amount from Monarch)/ $70,000,000 (total 2008 taxes collected). Both my arithmetic and logic are open to questioning.
Will a well-kept, owner-occupied condominium boost property values? If yes, by how much? Obviously the answer is yes. That’s a figure that is hard to quantify, but certainly would be meaningful.
Why aren’t the many incentives already put in place for buyers enough? As pointed by other bloggers there are a number of incentives already in place for buyers – especially first-time buyers. My guess is that these incentives off-set national hesitance to purchase a home, but may not impact each municipality equally.
Is granting an abatement short-sighted? Once the market turns around, will it even be necessary? Time may be the key factor here

(Thanks to Anonymous 8/1/09 11:59pm for posing some of these questions!)

If anyone has insight into this matter or feels as though I am not considering something, please contact me. I look forward to hearing more residents speak out about their concerns on this issue.

The Great Tax Abatement Debate

2009-07-31T14:41:00.029-04:00

“I shall never use profanity except in discussing house rent and taxes.” - Mark Twain

I have received many phone calls and emails over the past two weeks regarding the proposed Monarch tax abatement. Justifiably, many people are alarmed to think that we might lose potential tax money at a time when residents are suffering from job losses and a depressed market. I was not on the Council in 2005 when the Monarch development was put into motion. Was this development the best option at the time that it was created and approved? My father did not think so. Councilman Mapp clearly did not think so (read his blog for details). Given the outcome, it seems that they were right. Unfortunately I can’t go back in time and sell the land at fair market value or approve a project that would serve a better purpose. That time has come and gone. What I can do, however, is understand what choices need to be made now, given the circumstances.

My thought process so far has been:
1) What is our reality given the real estate market?
2) Let’s say the tax abatement is approved. What is the best that can happen? What is the worst that can happen?
3) Let’s say the tax abatement is not approved. What is the best that can happen? What is the worst that can happen?

It is important to examine Plainfield’s real estate reality. I’ve analyzed information on the average absorption rate over the past 3 months (May-July) for Plainfield and 17 nearby municipalities.

The absorption rate is a key measurement of the real estate market in a given community. It measures how much time, in months, it would take for all of the current inventory (multi-family, single family, condos, coops, etc) to sell. The rate is based on the supply of units available for purchase and the demand for those units.

0-4 months is considered a “seller’s market” which means that the demand for homes is greater than the supply

5-6 months absorption is considered a “normal, balanced market”. In a normal market the supply of and demand for homes is balanced

7+ months is a “buyer’s market” which means that the supply of homes is greater that the demand

Take a look at Plainfield’s absorption rate as compared to other markets. It is debatable to say that anyone is experiencing a true seller’s market with no one below 4 months. Agents who work the municipalities with the lowest absorption rate have told me that those units are being sold far below asking price. According to these figures, some communities are in a normal market. Like Plainfield, however, many communities are still in a buyer’s market.

Plainfield’s absorption rate is 12 months. This means that at the current rate that units are selling, it would take 12 months (1 full year) to sell everything - and that’s if no other units are put on the market. Since the real estate bubble burst no municipality has been safe from unbalanced markets. At one point it was not unheard of that the absorption rate was peaking at 20+ months in municipalities including Watchung and Warren. Rates as high as 50+ months have not been unheard of across the state. Historically, when the market drops Plainfield is one of the first communities affected and one of the last to recover. This trend has improved somewhat over the last decade.

Although Plainfield’s current absorption rate is still fairly high, the good news is that the rate has been trending down in recent months. This is consistent with what some real estate experts have been predicting. Jeff Otteau, a trusted real estate analyst and head of the Otteau Valuation Group, believes that the market will bottom out in the 2nd half of 2009 (May 27, Star Ledger). As noted in other blogs the many incentives that have been put in place at the state and national level have contributed to this balancing of the supply and demand for real estate.

So, what does this mean for the Monarch? Well these numbers show that Plainfield’s market is still not a balanced market. There is too much supply and too little demand. Ideally all 63 units at the Monarch would be sold quickly, be 100% owner-occupied and be fully-taxed (no abatement). Based on the above figures, I have to question if this is realistic.

I’d prefer to leave gut-feelings out of the decision-making process and focus only on the numbers from both a short-term and long-term standpoint. In a later post I will share my thoughts on how the City will be affected should the abatement be approved or rejected.

Thoughts on Plainfield’s Branding Challenge

2009-07-19T13:23:00.002-04:00

Anyone who knows my family and me knows how much we love Plainfield. There are not many places where you can find a diverse community, beautiful homes, talented residents and many other assets all within 6 square miles. Furthermore, like you, I know that Plainfield has the potential to be even better. Our 2 train stations, rich housing stock, fascinating history and close proximity to major highways make us a “sleeping giant”. Unfortunately, the problem is that we are, well, asleep.

In order to wake up the Queen City, Plainfield’s leadership must address what I will call our “Branding Challenge”. I am not the first to say it and I won’t be the last: Beyond our city limits live many people who think of Plainfield as dirty, unsafe, difficult to do business with, poorly managed and stagnant. In general it is not seen as the most attractive place to live, work or shop. Re-branding Plainfield as a safe, clean, developing city with a wide appeal to a diverse group of people must be our long-term goal.

Furthermore, we don’t have to be a Westfield or a Summit or a Princeton to develop a valuable brand. We can create our own appealing brand that builds on the assets that we already have. For example, there are a number of talented professionals in the arts and entertainment industries that hail from Plainfield. Alonzo Adams, Indira Bailey, Chanj and Alrick Brown come to mind. Could the Plainfield name attract art, music and film aficionados to the Queen City? We could also focus on the richness of our diversity. We have a number of restaurants that serve different ethnic foods. Events like EthFest have been successful in the past. Could Plainfield’s brand be “The Melting Pot”?

I firmly believe that the Queen City has the potential to grow into something truly special. As my father used to say, Plainfield is “a very manageable city.” By setting the right goals, working with the administration to develop a vision for the City and ensuring that the basic foundations of safety, cleanliness and efficiency are in place, we can clean up Plainfield’s image and develop a brand that entices people to live, work and spend their hard-earned money right here.

An Apology

2009-07-19T13:22:00.000-04:00

I am quite behind in posts! Mea culpa! Between work, attending meeting after meeting, strategizing for the City and travelling, I have simply not given this blog the attention that it deserves. That’s the bad news. The good news is that I have been hard at work for Plainfield residents in an effort to bring about the positive change that I promised in last year’s election. I have been working on a number of initiatives that I believe will benefit the City. I will be posting more regularly on the plans that have been put in place and on progress made in several areas. Stay tuned for more.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

2009-04-30T09:30:00.008-04:00

Plainfield’s 3rd Annual Relay for Life is scheduled for May 30th - 31st. Relay is American Cancer Society’s signature event and all funds raised go towards a worthwhile cause - the study and treatment of cancer. In fact, most of the funds raised stay here in Plainfield and the greater Metro NJ Region to help fund support groups, provide wigs to women who have lost their hair to chemotherapy, give free transportation to treatment centers and provide free cancer screenings among other benefits.

Plainfield is fortunate to have been chosen to host a Relay for Life event as not all municipalities host one. My mother, Darlene McWilliams, is this year’s Relay for Life Chair. She has been working diligently on this cause - urging people to get involved and make a difference for the millions of people who have been affected by cancer.

I hope you will consider creating a team - does your Church, neighborhood association, or organization have a team? If not, you can create one. It's very easy to do.

You might want to join one of the 20 teams that have already been created. Each team can have up to 15 members. The McWilliams and Sloane Team is looking for team members!

Finally, consider donating. You can donate to any of the teams online or you can purchase purple ribbons as part of the “Paint the Town Purple” Campaign. Each ribbon costs $5 and can be put on your trees beginning May 1st. (The ribbon for the trees are VERY nice!)

For more information please visit: http://www.relayforlife.org/plainfieldnj

You can also reach Darlene at darlenemcwilliams@comcast.net

Why Do I Relay?

2 years have passed since my father's death and I'm still working with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to raise money needed to fight this disease. Every day crucial scientific breakthroughs are being made and critical new treatments are being developed in the fight against cancer. As a result, lives are being saved. ACS is leading this effort and the Relay for Life has become an amazing night for all those affected by cancer.

I'm dedicating this Relay to my Dad's memory and to all the girls around the world who lost their father too young. Please make a donation - $10, $50, $100 - any amount makes a difference! And please consider joining the McWilliams and Sloane Team as we walk all night long for a great cause.

Budget Deliberations

2009-03-25T23:54:00.000-04:00

The Council has held 2 budget deliberations meetings so far with sparse attendance. There are several more scheduled before the end of this fiscal year. I want to take the opportunity to personally invite you to attend these meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 at 8:00pm at City Hall Library. Your input is not only desired, but necessary.

While I am not a member of the finance committee, I did want to share some of my thoughts. Sitting in these meetings brings back memories of management courses heavily based on the teachings of Porter, Senge and Drucker. What would these management gurus say about Plainfield? Probably something simple, obvious and catchy but previously not clearly stated. For example, Plainfield should implement the “3 Ps - Priorities, Process, Performance”.

1. PRIORITIES - We need to prioritize the services we want. Having limited resources means we need to make tough decisions. Several Councilors have already suggested adopting a list of priorities and I agree whole-heartedly.

2. PROCESS - We need a yearlong budget process encompassing both passing the budget and managing it throughout the year. The Finance Committee is already working on a process to pass the budget for this year and next. I would also like to see how the Council will oversee the budget throughout the year. For example, reporting on monthly department spending would give us an idea of where we are over budget or under budget and allow us to work with the CFO to encumber department budgets when necessary. In other words, it allows for more controlled spending.

3. PERFORMANCE - We must measure the impact of spending. This will ensure that we are getting a return on our tax dollars. In addition, it sets the standard for one year so that we can raise the bar in the next year. This was discussed during budget meetings held last fall and should be continued this year.

I hope to see more residents at the next meeting.

.

IT in Plainfield (Part III)

2009-03-02T22:23:00.006-05:00

The Administration pulled the Salary Ordinance for the Director of Data Processing off the agenda tonight. I am happy to say that the Administration has promised to give the Council a detailed presentation on the creation of this position at the March 9th meeting, allowing the Council more information and time before deciding how to move forward.

Detailed presentations illustrating the thought process behind making any decision should be standard. It should be the rule and not the exception. Going forward the Council must accept nothing less. I look forward to seeing a thorough presentation by the Administration.

As I have stated before, I am committed to bringing Plainfield’s technology into the 21st Century; however, I want to make sure that the decision on HOW to do this is well thought-out and carefully considered. I am accountable to the residents of Plainfield and I have not forgotten my promises to taxpayers.

Without the support of residents via response to my blog entry, phone calls and e-mails sent to me and other Council members, I would not be reporting such an outcome. THANK YOU!

I have posed a number of questions over the past several weeks that have gone unanswered. I have listed those questions (and the suggested questions of resident Sandy Gurshman) below. Please suggest any additional questions that should be addressed next week.

1. What will be the total IT cost (best estimate will do) for the remainder of this year? What are the annualized costs?
2. How does the City plan to off-set these costs?
3. What research has been done on the possibility of a shared service agreement, either to replace or to supplement the position of a Director?
4. Are there other options? (ex: Livingston has an IT Manager at 70k/yr)
5. What are the expected outcomes of hiring a Director of Data Processing?

.

IT in Plainfield (Part II)

2009-03-02T22:20:00.003-05:00

I shared the following information at Monday night's council meeting:

On Thursday evening I called for an IT committee meeting. The Union County Director of Data Processing agreed to come in and share her opinion on creating the position of an IT Director. During our initial phone conversation she was adamantly opposed to creating this position, suggesting instead that 2 technicians would get Plainfield moving in the right direction. At the meeting, however, she presented the opposite viewpoint - that an IT Director IS needed. I was thrown off by this change in opinion; however, I wanted to share this new piece of information with the public.

If there is a need to bring in a technology professional with a high-level understanding of technological processes and systems, then we should continue to look into what options exist to meet those needs.

.

IT in Plainfield

2009-02-25T16:19:00.003-05:00

As Chair of the IT Committee, I gave a committee update at Monday’s Council meeting. The IT committee is focused on bringing Plainfield’s technology into the 21st century. There is no doubt that a strong technology infrastructure and IT vision will move the City forward.

The only option that has been discussed to address our technology need is to create a brand new position - Director of Data Processing (aka Director of Information Technology). I agree that we need better leadership and direction in this area. I do not agree, however, that the Council should create this position without an understanding of 1) the true cost to taxpayers and 2)other (less costly) options that exist to meet our needs.

Here are some facts:
1. No other municipality in Union County has an IT Director.
2. Woodbridge Township does have an IT Director, but shares the cost with Woodbridge BOE.
3. In September 2006 there was a Union County Summit on Shared Services. 18 municipal representatives attended, including Plainfield’s Carlton McGee. The consensus from that meeting - All municipalities are suffering from a poor IT structure and a shared services approach is the best approach.
4. Director of Data Processing salary ranges from $90,000 to $130,000. At that maximum number, this position would be the second highest salary in the City, costing more than any other non-union position except one.
5. The Director will not work alone. He or she will require staff and a budget for training, equipment, etc.

Here are the unanswered questions that the IT Committee has posed:
1. What will be the total IT cost (best estimate will do) for the remainder of this year? What are the annualized costs?
2. How does the City plan to off-set these costs?
3. What research has been done on the possibility of a shared service agreement, either to replace or to supplement the position of a Director?
4. Are there other options? (ex: Livingston has an IT Manager at 70k/yr)

The prevailing argument to move forward in creating this new expense is that we can’t afford to go any longer without investing in IT. I agree, we can’t. But we also can’t afford to make short-sighted decisions that would increase our budget at a time when other municipalities are taking huge actions to cut costs.

I am urging my colleagues on the Council to hold off on this decision until we are fully informed. Originally I voted to move the creation of this position forward because I was assured the Council would receive more information. We have not. Furthermore, I am not convinced that the Council will have any meaningful say in the funding of this position, once it has been created. The Administration is in charge of day-to-day operations of the City. The Council is the legislative body. While the Council votes on what the budget will be, it is ultimately the Mayor and her Administration that decide how the money is spent. Our government is set-up this way to ensure checks and balances and that is a good thing, but only if the Council makes thoughtful decisions.

I will continue to research this issue and hope to have more information by the end of the weekend.

My memories of Washington, D.C.

2009-01-22T15:00:00.044-05:00

I have an even deeper sense of purpose and drive after spending the last several days in Washington. The spirit of D.C. over the past few days cannot be put into words. Those of us gathered there were full of hope and happiness. We were celebrating a moment in time that will forever change the direction of our country.

Sunday’s “We Are One” Concert
Woodstock was before my time, but I’d imagine that Sunday’s Concert was a colder version of that. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered between Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument for a star-studded celebration of Unity in America. I was at Washington Monument watching the Jumbotrons (which seemed more like mini-trons at the time) with a group of friends. Shivering, but happy, thousands of people stood together enjoying some of America’s greatest hits. The crowd was loud - talking with whoever was around them and bonding over the shared moment in history. Every time the camera panned to the Obamas people went wild! Those in attendance were only quiet during President Obama’s speech - you could hear a pin drop. The moment really hit me after President Obama spoke and Beyonce performed our National Anthem. The entire crowd was singing along, proud to be American and proud to have elected such an amazing man.

The Crowd at Washington Memorial

Jumbotron seems like "Mini-tron"

The crowd goes wild for Mr. President

The crowd cheers after President Obama's speech

Inaugural Parade and Swearing-in Ceremony
I was selected to volunteer for the Inaugural Parade, escorting ticketed individuals to their seats. Volunteers arrived at 5:30am. It was early and very cold, but spirits were high. Armed with many layers of clothes, hand-warmers, feet-warmers and a heavy coat, I braved the winter weather. Despite all the layers, there were times that I was concerned about my frozen fingers and toes! I just kept repeating, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience....” I bonded with other frozen volunteers and law enforcement agents as we waited for the crowds to move in.

Empty bleachers at 5:30am

Bonding with volunteers and security

Around 11:15am I took my first break and joined hundreds of other volunteers in one of D.C.’s visitor centers for a boxed lunch, much-needed heat and a television. There I watched Mr. Obama take the 35-word Presidential Oath and address the Nation. As usual, Mr. Obama did not disappoint! His speech was both thought-provoking and inspirational.

Volunteers watching Obama take the Oath

After the speech, I returned to the cold. Those with and without tickets had begun lining up as early as 4:00am so the sidewalks were packed by noon. Time passed quickly and the parade started around 3:30pm.

The bleachers are no longer empty

Supporters are cold, but enthusiastic

And the parade begins

You could hear a wave of applause and cheering erupt as the Obamas moved up Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House. As I pulled off my gloves to get ready to take the most important picture of my life...I dropped my camera...and it didn’t turn back on! I was devastated. About 30 seconds after I realized my camera was broken, the Obamas drove by. I can’t complain, however, as I was at the front of the barricades and had a clear view of the family waving at the crowds. A few minutes later Vice-President Biden and his family walked by. I even got a friendly wave from Mr. Biden!

Fortunately, other volunteers who saw me drop my camera or heard my sob story were kind enough to send me their photos. This should give you a good idea of what I saw.

It's the First Lady and Sasha!

Vice-President Biden waving

Tuesday Night Gala
A good friend of mine who worked diligently on Obama’s campaign invited me to a gala hosted by an Illinois Congressman. I met many individuals who worked with Obama when he was a State Senator. It was a very enjoyable evening!

The Take-Away
I’ve included my favorite part of President Obama’s Inaugural Speech below:

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation. But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” - President Barack Obama (1/20/09)

All of Plainfield’s leadership (including me) can learn from our new President. Genuine unity, transparent government and a focus on Plainfield’s needs will move the Queen City forward. This is an exciting time in history and the momentum exists to make real and lasting change. .

Back from D.C.

2009-01-22T10:21:00.002-05:00

I returned from D.C. late last night. It was an amazing experience. I attended Sunday’s concert, the Inaugural Parade, and the Illinois Ball (an unofficial ball). Unfortunately I’m experiencing technical difficulties with my camera. I will post my photos, videos and stories as soon as possible.

.

Spending Wisely: Ensuring Value for Taxpayers

2009-01-12T09:03:00.000-05:00

I want to ensure that you receive the best services possible at the lowest cost possible. I hate to be Dr. Doom, but the reality is that we are in very difficult financial times and we need to carefully consider how we are spending your money.

Even the kindest forecasts by financial analysts and market gurus suggest that this recession will last through most of 2009. Uglier economic predications suggest that the recession will last through 2011. The unemployment rate, already 7.2% in December, may still increase. The values of homes, down about 25% nationally, may still decrease. Financially, many Americans are already struggling and times may become even more difficult. Citizens are looking to their elected officials to help save money.

I was elected to understand how the City is spending money and to vote on these matters wisely. This is why I voted to table the resolutions giving city-owned cars to several City officials at the January 1 meeting. The Council and I needed more information on these expenditures. What is the cost to the taxpayers? What is the value? Is this expense necessary? Is having a city-owned car a perk or an important piece of an overall compensation package? Will denying a city-owned vehicle to these officials jeopardize the safety or well-being of any resident? These questions must be answered before the Council can make a wise decision. In the meantime, these officials still have access to their cars as I voted to grant temporary use.

I will continue to ask these types of questions and research answers throughout the year so that I vote wisely. I hope that the residents of Plainfield, my colleagues on the Council and the administration will support thoughtful decision-making.

.

Financial Planning in Plainfield

2008-11-23T21:28:00.000-05:00

There was a wealth of knowledge shared at this year’s NJ League of Municipalities Conference. The poor health of the economy brought hundreds of attendees to an early morning session entitled "Multi Year and Long Range Financial Planning". The session was informative, reminding elected officials and administrators of the basics of financial planning as well as highlighting increasingly popular methods of stretching taxpayer dollars.

A general consensus among the presenters was that a quality long-term budget forecasts 5-8 years out. It would be wise for Plainfield to plan that far out in advance. Of course, forecasting is only possible with meaningful historic data that has been analyzed appropriately. One of the first steps Plainfield must take is giving meaning to historic data. Understanding expenses and revenue streams aid in identifying financial opportunities and challenges.

During the week‘s many events, Governor Corzine proposed a temporary deferment of 50% of municipal payments into the state pension fund. The proposal requires legislative approval. However, if passed, New Jersey municipalities could opt to defer over $1 billion in pension fund payments. Governor Corzine emphasized that this would be a temporary deferment only and that payments would be made gradually by 2012 (original payment due + interest).

Such a deferment would certainly help Plainfield meet its immediate budget needs. However, other solutions still need to be explored. The Governor (and many others) emphasized shared equipment and services. Such methods have had a meaningful impact in surrounding communities. The Mayor and Council should be looking to extend or implement shared services agreements where logical.

In this “bail out plan” economy, we need to weigh every possible option in order to ease our financial woes. Getting a handle on Plainfield’s financial health must be made a priority if we are to move forward.

.

A New Chapter in American History

2008-11-09T22:11:00.002-05:00

Election night was one of the few nights I’ve heard my grandmother, so overwhelmed with emotion, cry the way she did. During our “Can you believe he just won?” phone conversation, I could barely understand my grandmother. She was sobbing tears of joy and disbelief. She recalled the hardships of growing up in Jim Crow South, raising children who would integrate the Arkansas school system and making the world’s best dinners for her grandchildren and their very diverse group of friends. She had already seen so much change already, but to see President-elect Obama and the new First Family stand victoriously on stage was not something that she expected to see in her lifetime.

This moment in time is a new chapter in America’s story. When my kids study Modern American History, they will ask me where I was and what I was doing when President Obama won the 2008 election. I will happily tell them that I was celebrating with family and friends in Plainfield, NJ where we were overwhelmingly pro-Obama and voted for change in our city.

Thank you to all the voters who supported me in this election and to all the voters who supported Obama. I look forward to bringing change to Plainfield just as Obama will bring change to our nation.

.

Audit Findings Continued

2008-10-26T23:02:00.001-04:00

The October 12 entry detailed three of the ten Audit Findings (Findings #1, 3 and 4). Because I’ve received so much feedback on that particular post and have responded to many questions on what the remaining findings were, I’ve decided to post that today. As the City continues the budget process, these are important to keep in mind.

Finding #2: Funds are not encumbered against amounts appropriated before goods or services ordered and purchases are made without any certification of availability of funds obtained from the Comptroller.
Recommendation: The encumbrance accounting system required by the Division of Local Government services should be adequately maintained.
Corrective Action: While the City has centralized purchasing system, it is not currently enforced. As stated in the Finding #1, a meeting will be held to train department heads and other responsible parties as to the proper purchasing procedures. Current financial software has provisions for encumbrance off all the purchase orders and ability to certify funds before purchases are made. Procedures will be changed in the Audi & Control Division to ensure that certification of funds are prepared and funds are encumbered on a timely basis. Access to the purchasing module of the financial software will be provided to various departments. Training will be held on the purchasing module. A procedure manual on purchasing and encumbrances will also be developed.
Implementation Date: October 2008

Finding #5: A detailed analysis of outside liens redeemed was not maintained.
Recommendation: Detailed analysis of outside liens redeemed should be maintained.
Correction Action: An outside consultant was hired to assist the Tax Department in addressing all redemption issues. The Tax Collector will analyze all information from the Tax Sale and subsequent redemptions and prepare an outside liens redeemed schedule. This schedule will be reconciled with the Audit & Control Division. Future reconciliations will be done on a monthly basis through bill lists and other means.
Implementation Date: October 2008

Finding #6: A detailed list of tax sale premiums collected was not maintained.
Recommendation: Detailed list of tax sale premiums collected should be maintained.
Corrective Action: The Tax Collector will analyze all information from the Tax Sale and subsequent redemptions and prepare a tax sale premiums schedule. This schedule will be reconciled with the Audit & Control Division. Future reconciliations will be done on a monthly basis through bill lists and other means.
Implementation Date: October 2008

Finding #7: Cancellation of tax overpayments were recorded as an increases to the levy instead of being shown as a reduction of liability.
Recommendation: Cancellation of tax overpayment be recorded on the tax computer system as a reduction of liability.
Corrective Action: Tax Collector procedures will be reviewed. Additional instructions and training may be necessary for all employees. Tax Overpayments will be reconciled monthly through monthly report, bill lists and other means.
Implementation Date: November 2008

Finding #8: A detailed analysis of federal and state grants receivable is not maintained.
Recommendation: Detailed analysis of federal and state grants receivable should be maintained.
Corrective Action: State grants receivable ledger will be computerized for SFY 2009. The Grants coordinator will be responsible for maintenance of this schedule.
Implementation Date: July 2008

Finding #9: The City has numerous inactive account balances in the sewer utility fund.
Recommendation: All inactive account balances should be reviewed for cancellation.
Corrective Action: All accounts in sewer utility fund will be reviewed during SFY 2009 budget preparation and provisions will be made for account balance cancellations. A resolution will be submitted to the City Council for the approval of cancellations.
Implementation Date: (This was left blank on the form I have)

Finding #10: An item “Deferred Charges - Cancelled receivable” which has remained unchanged for many years in the general capital fund should be reviewed.
Recommendation: The balance for Deferred Charges - Cancelled Receivables should be provided for.
Corrective Action: A balance for Deferred Charges - Cancelled Receivables will be reviewed during SFY 2009 budget preparation. Provisions will be made for account balance cancellations.
Implementation Date: September 2008

.

A Costly Mistake, A Short-Sighted Solution

2008-10-19T21:19:00.002-04:00

The $1.66MM accounting error is now the mistake heard ‘round the world. I won't comment on how Plainfielders are feeling let down by the Administration again. There has been plenty of commentary on that.

I do want to address the solution proposed to the Courier News by City Administrator Marc Dashield. Mr. Dashield suggests dipping into the Reserve Fund. This is like putting a band-aid on a 3rd degree burn. Whether this will be necessary in the short-run remains to be seen, but regardless of that outcome a long-term solution is needed.

The Reserve Fund, for all intents and purposes, is an accounting concept. It’s not a savings account and should not be seen as a “rainy day” fund. In reality, it represents the difference between an organization’s current assets and current liabilities - in other words, it is the amount that would be left over if the City sold all of its assets for cash and paid off all debt owed within the next year. This is an important benchmark of financial health because it measures our ability to continue to pay immediate and ongoing expenses (long-term contracts, capital expenditures, etc) without having to take on too much debt.

This mistake is really just shining light on the City’s fiscal health. This additional, unexpected deficit brings total revenues lost to $5.2MM. What caused this loss? How will we address these losses in the long-term? Dipping into the Reserve Fund now may mean easing the tax burden today. But the Reserve Fund has limited resources. Unless something is done to address Plainfield’s financial health, taxpayers will eventually be burdened with higher taxes.

.

Audit Findings Highlight Poor Fiscal Responsibility

2008-10-12T23:46:00.002-04:00

Perhaps unintentionally, the budget hearings have highlighted more than just how tax dollars will be spent in the new fiscal year but, also, how well City Hall is being run. Throughout the hearings the Audit Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 has been referenced. Findings in the report (submitted July 2008) are being used to gauge success in the coming year.

There were 10 findings that the City created corrective action plans for. I’ve listed 3 of the most disturbing findings and their corrective action plans below. This is simply poor business management. Pressure must be put on the Administration and the Council to ensure that these corrective action plans are actually put in place.

Finding: Numerous purchases are made directly by various division heads and not through the Division of Purchasing.
Recommendation: City purchases should be made through the Purchasing Agent.
Corrective Action: A revised purchasing policy will be developed and distributed to all employees. A meeting will be held with all of the department heads and other employees responsible for purchasing within various divisions to discuss new policies and procedures supporting the new purchasing policy. Guidelines will be developed to ensure that all purchases are centralized. Monthly reports for compliance monitoring will be provided to the administration. The City Administrator and Director of Administration and Finance will enforce adherence to purchasing policy. Vendors will be notified that the City of Plainfield will only honor purchases accompanied by a purchase order number.
Implementation Date: October 2008

Finding: A detailed analysis of foreclosed properties was not maintained.
Recommendation: Detailed analysis of foreclosed property should be maintained.
Corrective Action: Research is being conducted to identity all foreclosed properties. An electronic file of each foreclosed property will be prepared and maintained by the Tax Collector.
Implementation Date: July 2008

Finding: A monthly report detailing non-cash transactions made by the tax office was not provided to the finance office. Since this was not done, the Current Fund general ledger was incomplete.
Recommendation: A monthly report detailing non-cash transactions made by the Tax office should be provided to the Audit & Control Division.
Corrective Action: An outside consultant was retained to assist the Tax Collector in developing month-end reports. Reports for SFY 2008 were prepared and provided to the Audit & Control Division by the end of SFY 2008.
Implementation Date: July 2008

,

Muhlenberg Advertising

2008-10-06T00:03:00.001-04:00

After months of non-stop coverage of the Muhlenberg closure, it seems as though attention is fading from the hospital. The tremendous amount of effort that a number of individuals and organizations, such as POP, poured into saving Muhlenberg was certainly worth the coverage. Plainfielders put up a fight that will serve as a model for other municipalities facing similar situations.

And the fight continues, as it should, although the latest news hasn’t helped to reignite attention: the City’s appeal to reverse the decision to grant Solaris a certificate of need has been denied by Commissioner Howard. I hope that action will continue to be taken by the City to restore Muhlenberg to a full-service acute care hospital.

In the mean time, however, more should be done to make Plainfield and the surrounding area aware of what is still available at Muhlenberg - specifically the Satellite Emergency Department (SED). The SED is open 24/7 and provides most basic emergency care. The SED was one of the conditions that Solaris President and CEO John McGee agreed to meet in order to receive the Certificate of Need from Commissioner Howard. It must remain open for a minimum of 5 years. I imagine that at that time an evaluation of the SED will take place to determine whether or not it should remain open and functional.

My concern is that too many people don’t realize that the doors at Muhlenberg are still open, so to speak. If the public is not aware that the SED is open, then no one will use those services and the 5 year evaluation will reflect low usage. The rationale of “high cost, low benefit” has already been used once against our hospital. It would be a shame to let that happen again.

I’ve seen more advertising for JFK and Overlook and Trinitas in the past 6 months than ever before. Advertising for Muhlenberg must be done to keep what we do still have available.

,

Union County Youth Rally feat. Gov. Corzine

2008-10-01T10:36:00.004-04:00

The time & location for the Union County Youth Rally has changed:

Union County Youth Rally for Obama
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Warinanco Park on the Elizabeth-Roselle Border

Governor Corzine is also expected to attend.

.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-09-28T23:37:00.003-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. While we don’t know the exact causes of breast cancer, we do know that early detection is key to effective treatment and a healthy recovery. Regular mammograms are something that all women 40+ should be getting. You owe it to yourself and to your loved ones.

For more on breast cancer:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=5

Are you registered?

2008-09-28T21:52:00.007-04:00

Some residents have concerns about being registered to vote. If you are not sure that you are registered, or still need to register, check out http://www.voteforchange.org/. It’s simple and painless. October 14th is the deadline.

.

Thank You

2008-09-21T16:12:00.003-04:00

I’d like to thank the voters of Plainfield for supporting me and Adrian Mapp in the Democratic June Primary. Your overwhelming support demonstrated through time, energy and donations made the campaign a huge success. This is truly a victory for all Plainfield residents.

On a personal note, I know that my father, the late Mayor Albert T. McWilliams, would have been ecstatic about the results of the election. My father was a good man and a great leader. He always put Plainfield residents first when making decisions that would affect the City. I was blessed to have him as a role model and I look forward to moving Plainfield in the right direction with the same level of dedication that my father had.

Speaking of great men, another inspiration of mine is Barack Obama. It is rare to find a candidate that is both intelligent and charismatic with a good heart and true desire to serve the American people. He’s the first nominee in my generation’s recollection that has truly spoken to young adults in America. He’s simply inspirational and I am proud to be on the Democratic ticket with Barack Obama this Fall.

With only 44 days until the November election, the Obama Campaign is in full force. The Plainfield Headquarter’s kick-off event and rally was a success. I encourage any interested resident to make time to volunteer.

There will be a Union County Youth Rally for Obama on Saturday October 4, 2008 in Elizabeth. Tell all the young people you know to come out, get registered to vote and meet young people in the Union County with a passion to bring the change we need to America.

Union County Youth Rally for Obama
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Shiloh Baptist Church (of Elizabeth)
95 Murray Street
Elizabeth, NJ

.