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!

Roni Taylor for Councilwoman At-Large

Sitting on the Plainfield City Council is not an easy job.  A good councilor must be balanced and fair in decision making.  Yet, she must be strong on those issues that are critical to Plainfield residents. 

A good councilwoman must be willing to listen to all constituents, understand all viewpoints and represent the needs of every resident.  She must also be willing to make tough decisions and face public criticism. 

She must be as eager to accept blame as to take credit.  She must learn how to work with every member of the governing body and the Mayor, despite differences of opinions.

It is for these reasons that I am proud to endorse Roni Taylor for Councilwoman At-Large.  A long-time resident and life-long Democrat, Roni Taylor offers quality, civic leadership experience to Plainfield’s governing body.

As a school board member, housing authority commissioner, teacher and active volunteer for multiple organizations, Roni Taylor has demonstrated the kind of servant leadership that Plainfield needs. 

Her focus is on community, commitment, collaboration, and consensus.  These four terms illuminate Roni Taylor’s dedication to working with every constituent and government official to accomplish great things for Plainfield.  

Public Safety Meeting - All are welcome

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!

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

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PSE&G Electrical Concerns

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)

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NJ American Water Issues Boil Water Advisory

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

As has been blogged about, a vote for Shotspotter is coming up on Monday. I plan to support this initiative and urge my colleagues to do the same.

We have been discussing this item for more than a year. When the proposal first came before the Council last summer, it was rejected. The causes of concern were cost and length of commitment. The initial cost would have been nearly one million dollars and would have required agreement to a multi-year contract. Councilmembers suggested that the Administration look for a less expensive alternative or grant funds to subsidize the cost and that City Hall re-negotiate the terms of the agreement. Although unwilling at first, the Administration has done exactly that.

The price is now just $169,000 to lease equipment for one year. In addition, the City has been awarded a $250,000 public safety grant that must be used for technology purposes. Those funds will be used to pay for camera installation and monitoring. We are only contractually obligated for one year. If we find that the equipment is not meeting our needs and expectations, we can end the relationship. If we decide to renew, City funds may be needed to pay for next year’s lease.

There have been questions posed by my colleagues about the efficacy of the technology. While these are legitimate concerns, I have not yet heard from any municipality that the equipment is not effective or not worth the investment. I have seen positive reviews and heard other elected officials speak to how they have implemented this technology in their own municipalities. I don’t see why Plainfield should have to wait.

Additionally, and more importantly, our Public Safety Director and officers have continually made the case that an upgrade in technology would empower our police force. With a rise in crime, and budgetary constraints around police manpower, Shotspotter provides a low cost opportunity for the City.

It is important to keep in mind that a technology upgrade is just one piece of our public safety puzzle. Continued conversations and meaningful solutions have to be considered in other enforcement areas such as manpower and structure. We also have to address preventative measures such as youth programs and re-enty solutions before we will see the results we desire and deserve – a safer Plainfield.

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The Case for 4 More Years

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.

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Why I Support Storch, Dameron

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

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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

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).
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2010 Year in Review

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!

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On the Removal of the City Administrator

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.

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Youth Master Plan

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!!

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Election Day

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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

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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.

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Overdue Minutes - Taking Responsibility and Proposing a Plan

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.

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