Reflections on Primary Results

I wish to congratulate Democratic primary winners, Rev. Tracy Brown and Council President Adrian Mapp.

Although Rev. Brown was not my candidate of choice, I wish her well in her political future. Plainfield needs her to be a strong, thoughtful leader who will fight for the community to have the people and processes in place necessary to create long term, meaningful change.

I am extremely grateful that the governing body will have the invaluable leadership of Councilman Mapp. Plainfield needs him to continue to juggle the complex tasks of working with a difficult administration and finding common ground on important initiatives.

Although there is a general election in November, these winners will likely be sworn-in next January. Let's all encourage the incoming Council to work closely together for the sake of positive change.

We must re-elect Councilman Adrian Mapp

I was disturbed to read a mailer wrongly blaming Councilman Mapp for the most recent budget disaster.

The Mayor and her administration have made tremendous budget errors and consistently poor financial planning decisions. Such irresponsible and foolish behavior have come to define this Mayor’s terms in office.

At complete odds with the Mayor’s budget record is Councilor Mapp’s reliable, responsible and knowledgeable contributions to the budget process.

In my 3 ½ years on the City Council, I have been impressed, time and again, with Councilor Mapp’s financial insights. At a time when the Mayor was unable and unwilling to bring a financial expert to her cabinet, Councilor Mapp served as an invaluable leader on how to best manage the budget process.

In fact, candidate Abdul-Haaq, the Mayor and her Administration should be THANKING Council Mapp. He has pointed out calculation flaws and process flaws to the administration, often behind closed doors, to save the city from making costly mistakes. His thanks? An unwarranted attack filled with lies.

Certainly Mr. Abdul-Haaq is entitled to run against Councilor Mapp and to generate debate about any flaws he sees in his record. However, to distribute blatant lies is unacceptable and discouraging. In fact, it should be punished by voters.

Both the candidate and those who paid for the creation and distribution of this flyer should be ashamed of themselves. This is the type of disgusting campaigning that discourages good, capable people across the city from volunteering or running for office.

More than an elected official, more than a Democrat, I am first and foremost a life-long resident of this city. I try not to take elections personally, because voters have the right to make educated decisions on who they want to represent them. But when I see voters being lied to or taken advantage of, my stomach turns.

The future of this city, and of this country, depend on some level of morality and ethics in politics – that includes campaigns!

Reject the lies, spread the truth and demand more from your candidates and elected officials.

Please re-elect ADRIAN MAPP for City Council!