Volunteers Needed for Domestic Violence Response Team

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

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

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:

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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

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

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:

1. 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?
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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

“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

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

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.

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

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)

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)

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

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.

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.

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

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.

.