On Monday, the City Council is expected to confirm five nominees to the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
Legislation enacting formation of the commission was passed five years ago. Checking the language, Plaintalker found that in addition to the five residents (Norman Ortega, Doris Cera, Darwin Rosario, Silvana Mullen and Edgar Freire), there is supposed to be a council member and a mayoral represntative appointed as well. Too bad those appointments are not being made at the same time, so the commission can be fully operational after all these years.
From the Municipal Code:
The Commission shall consist of seven 7 members who are residents of
the city or serve as Chair of Plainfield-based Hispanic organizations that represent various Hispanic communities throughout the City. The Commission members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council, consisting of one 1 Council member, one 1 representative of the Mayor, and five 5 members of the public. The Council appointee shall serve during his/her term of office and the Mayoral appointee shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor or until cessation of employment with the City, whichever first occurs. Public members shall serve for a term of four 4 years from the date of their appointment and until their successors are appointed and qualified; except the initial appointments hereunder shall serve staggered terms as follows: one 1 shall be for a term of one 1 year, two 2 for 2 years and two 2 for three 3 years.
MC 2005-09, April 18, 2005.
Among other provisions, the commission may submit a budget request of no more than $5,000.
The commission is charged with advising the mayor and council on the "needs, concerns, accomplishments and contributions of the Hispanic community as well as the impact of legislation or the lack thereof and its effect on the Hispanic community." In addition, the commission is supposed to "elicit input" from the Hispanic community by visiting community center, meeting with community leaders, attending and sposoring community meetings," among other actions.
The commission is expected to make an annual report to the mayor and council.
The commission is to work with city government to find ways of including Hispanics in policy-making positions; foster improved communication with the mayor, administration, council and Hispanic community, identify and analyze important issues and recommend strategies for responding to them; educate Hispanic residents about opportunities to serve and get involved in city boards and commissions. (Full text available under Boards and Commissions portion of Municipal Code on Rashid Burney's web site.)
Interestingly in this U.S. Census year, the ordinance states "This Commission shall dissolve itself a year after a U.S. Census Department reports that Plainfield's Hispanic population has risen to fortyfive 45% percent of the total Plainfleld population and a minimum of thirty-five percent 35% of the Plainfleld's registered voters are Hispanic."
Estimates of the percentage of Hispanics in Plainfield have ranged from 30 to 50 percent, based on such indicators as a recent incoming kindergarten class being 55 percent Hispanic. It is unclear how the percentage of registered voters would be analyzed. The Union County Board of Elections issues summaries of voter registration affiliations, but not breakdowns by ethnicity.
Now that the commission is finally being launched, Plaintalker extends wishes for success and will follow along as the commission's work begins.
--Bernice Paglia
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Do the mayor's nominations as general public members qualify according to the ordinance? Is the sudden mayoral interest a result of the 45% deadline?
ReplyDeleteDoc --
ReplyDeleteI think the Mayor's actions are in recognition of the fact that the demographics of our community remain dynamic. It certainly seems like a good time for us to take inventory of how well our community is doing relative to the needs and aspirations of our Latino neighbors.
Randy
I agree with Randy that the demographics of the community are dynamic. But were they not so five years ago when the commission was created? The question is why now and not in 2006/7?
ReplyDeleteThe other question remains, are the five selected individuals represented of a broad spectrum of the Latino community as desired in the Ordinance creating the commission? Since at least two share a common address that mwy be a legitimate question. I am not acquainted with any involved but am expressing a concerned citizen's interest. Under any circumstances the commission can not function until the other two required members are appointed.
"The question is why now and not in 2006/7?" Oldoc, this is a good question and I believe I have the answer. At the time, the commission faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, old and new democrats- it also faced opposition from influential Hispanics, mainly Maria Pellum and Christian Estevez. Because of this, Ray crossed to North Plainfield and asked me for help in crafting and getting the commission passed. Since then, I have been deeply interested in getting members appointed. But at the time the mayor saw no need to do it. Why? Everyone including some Hispanics opposed it. I tried to introduce a version of the Commission in North Plainfield, but again, Mrs. Pellum and Mr. Estevez publicly prevented it.
ReplyDeleteIn 2008, I co founded Angels in Action Foundation to address some of the issues affecting the Hispanic community in Plainfield and in December 2009 I moved to Plainfield. Soon after, Randy Schaeffer approached me, as if reading my mind and expressed interest in activating the commission. I began lobbying all interested including the Hispanic community. The Mayor and Assemblyman Green saw the importance and decided to join the effort and here we are- one step further.
Regarding the percentage of registered voters, this was a point of contention between Ray and me when crafting the commission. At the time, Ray believed that the commission should dissolve when Hispanics reached 45% of the population. However, I explained to him, that even if Hispanics reached 45% of the Plainfield population, they would have no participation, because more than likely, unless there was some kind of immigration reform, they will not have the power to vote. Thus, we settled for the compromise you see here. A bit sloppy on our part, but hey- until 35% of registered voters are Hispanic, the commission will stay alive. We are not even near that number.
Personally, I think this is a great step forward for Plainfield. As a member of the Commission, I will work with the community as a whole to address issues affecting not just the Hispanic community, but Plainfield as a whole. In an earlier post I read a comment asking the Commission to put the Mayor’s feet to the fire. This is not what the Commission is about. The Commission is about establishing meaningful relationships will all groups and individuals of this community. It’s about creating nurturing environments where positive ideas flourish so we can begin to address the issues affecting all of us. And this is just the beginning.
To Mr. Orgtega,
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck. It disturbs me that we have no representation of the Hispanic community on our boards, councils or in city hall. It concerns me more that there may be apathy on the part of the Hispanics. I hope you can make them see that they are a vital instrument in making our schools, downtown and community a better place. Again, Good Luck.
Bernice -
ReplyDeleteI agree that Norman Ortega’s doggedness and ability to work the political system to his ends have indeed moved Plainfield a step forward with regards to the interests of Plainfield’s Hispanic community.
I am encouraged by his recognition of the importance of "establishing meaningful relationship with all groups and individuals in this community." Norm's own comments are testament to some of the apparent “challenges” within Plainfield's Hispanic community that must be overcome if solidarity and progress are to be achieved.
Norm is correct; the Commission is in a unique position to promote greater collaboration and effective effort across our community. During the 34 years I’ve lived in Plainfield, the city has been fortunate to have many community-based organizations, churches, and community activists who work tirelessly for the welfare of the residents of our community. In recent months I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the leaders of the Hispanic community. It is my hope that the Commission will move forward effectively by engaging these wonderful resources in the accomplishment of its mission.
Randy
Norman Ortega is correct in stating that I was not a fan of the ordinance to create the Commission on Hispanic Affairs even though Ray Blanco had asked me to serve on it. My biggest concern was that instead of dealing with Hispanic Community activists directly, the Mayor would just refer all Hispanics to the Commission. Instead of more access to decission makers, Hispanics in Plainfield would have to deal with another layer of buracracy. Hispanics face many of the same issues facing all other Plainfield residents. We need representation in all areas of the City's government. When Mayor Robinson-Briggs was elected, a large group of Latino activists met with her at City Hall and exressed many concerns we had and pledged to work with her to address these and many other issues. We agreed to meet frequently with her, but never heard from her again. In all of these years, the Mayor has not shown any interest in adressing any of these issues. Now suddenly, she decides to appoint members to the Hispanic Commission. Many people are asking, "why now?". I hope that the desire to address the converns of the Hispanic community are sincere and not just an empty ploy for Jerry Green to say next year that he did "something" to help Hispanics as he fights to keep his Assembly seat. I am a believer in the need of various groups to work together. That is why I accepted the Mayor's invitation a few years ago to serve on the city's Human Relations Commission. Despite calls from Commission members, we have not been able to get the mayor or th chair of the commission to convene another meeting. The only time we met was when the administration wanted it to look like they were doing something about the Muhlenberg situation. We had one meeting and all of our suggestions were ignored, including our suggestion that the administration file for an injunction against the closing of Muhlenberg Hospital. I had great hopes for the Human Relations Commission as a place that we would be able to begin to address some of the barriers that make communications between Plainfield's diverse population so difficult. Instead, we have faced disapointment in trying to get another meeting called. I hope that the Hispanic Commission does not meet the same fate as the Human Relations Commission. I hope that they actually get to meet and make some progress. I offer my assistance inaking that happen despite my early disagreement with Ray Blanco over the effectiveness of such a body. I also hope that the administration will not substitute this commission for real interaction with Hispanic stakeholders in the City of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Christian Estevez
Chris;
ReplyDeleteI understand some of your concerns- There are ways to address them and and continue to work together. Addressing the issues facing or community is not easy, but we are working on them as we speak. Please, join us. Lets move forward.
Mr. Ortega, you stated:
ReplyDelete"...... At the time, the commission faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, old and new democrats- it also faced opposition from influential Hispanics, mainly Maria Pellum and Christian Estevez....".
After reading Maria's Blog, this morning, she denies opposing the Commission and has challenged you to produce proof of her alleged opposition. Hopefully, this is just an unfortunate misunderstanding that can be cleared up quickly. Comments?
To Chris,
ReplyDeleteThe real shame of it may be in the fact that the Hispanic vote could have ousted the mayor, but their lack of participation resulted in a lip service mayor.
Here is hoping that if nothing else, you and the commission can get Hispanics to vote, to make their voice heard, and to become a part of Plainfield, not just residents of Plainfield. Much luck and success.
Bernice –
ReplyDeleteI would like clarify my earlier comment that “Norm’s OWN COMMENTS [emphasis added] are testament to some of the challenges that must be overcome if solidarity and progress are to be achieved.”
My intent was to suggest, unfortunately too obliquely, that Norm’s citing of Maria and Christian in the history of the Commission was not at all constructive. I fear that my comment instead will be misconstrued as being critical of Maria and Christian. That certainly was not my intent.
Randy
And so, my friends, this is what happens when earnest people try to do something meaningful in Plainfield. Endless BS and blathering. Nice try, and good luck.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous (2:18 PM)
ReplyDeleteIn regards to "endless BS and blathering", to who or what are you referring to? You made a comment without explanation, like a road leading to nowhere.
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteI have to take issue with Norman Ortega's inaccurate claim that "the commission faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, old and new democrats...."
The part about "new democrats" is simply not true, and I have no idea where Mr. Ortega would get any kind of basis for this untrue claim. The New Democrats club, of which I am a founding member, fully supported this commission from its inception, as everyone knows. Many of us (including me) got up at the April 2005 city council meeting when Ray Blanco (whose campaign I had run) proposed it and spoke in favor of it--my commentary, as well as that of many other New Democrats, is on the record, as a visit to the city clerk's office to look at the minutes of that meeting will show. Adrian Mapp, President of the New Democrats, always supported the commission.
So to just throw out these careless comments with no factual basis does a disservice to the New Democrats club, as well as to those others who supported it. Mr. Ortega has never asked to meet with our club to discuss any of his allegations with us. As a matter of fact, he has never met with us before, nor has he ever asked to do so. Had he done so in advance of publishing these comments, he may have not written them in the first place.
I met Mr. Ortega for the first time at this Monday's (June 21, 2010) council meeting, where he congratulated me on my successful campaign. I congratulated him on being appointed to the commission. He said nothing about New Democrats being opposed to the commission. I would suggest that he consider retracting his false statements and take some time to thoroughly research the history of the commission--he can ask me anything--I knew Ray Blanco before Mr. Ortega ever met him, and I could fill him in on the commission's beginnings and purpose better than the individuals who may have provided him with the misleading and inaccurate information he has been putting out in the public. As an appointed commissioner, he now has the responsibility of being beholden to the residents of Plainfield to provide accurate commentary.
All best,
Rebecca
Will these Rebecca Williams tantrums ever end?
ReplyDeleteThank goodness these blog comments don't allow bold red ink. Here I am reading your blog, then the comments, and I could sense a productive dialog between a few residents. PRODUCTIVE, is the key word. I complement Norman, Randy, Oldoc, Christian.
Then Rebecca post her comments. . .what's that all about? Does she read the tone in her 'novels'? There is good chance that she will be the next Councilperson . Is it time for a speech writer/press release writer?
Rebecca you won! Time to end the negative campaign.
Ray Blanco told me personally at the time that there was opposition from both "old" and "new" Democrats. Nonetheless, to his credit, he succeeded in getting the Commission approved. Ray understood the necessity of working with people from Plainfield's various factions rather than calling them names. I miss him!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, Christan Estevez is a New Dem. He opposed this and openly admitted it. Ortega is right on this matter- New Dems did oppose this.
ReplyDeleteIs Christain not a New Dem? Is that what you are saying?
To Anonymous (6/21, 11:49 PM):
ReplyDeleteYour choice of words is 'interesting' when you compliment the responses of 4 males and slam Rebecca's response while accusing her of having tantrums. My agreement or disagreement with the rendered opinions notwithstanding, I believe EVERYONE you named wrote well-structured and informative responses - to include Rebecca. I also find it interesting that you negatively referred to Rebecca's long responses as "novels" yet you don't make the same negative reference to Norman's and Christian's long responses. Hmmmm.
Admittedly, I don't know you personally and have no idea as to your inclinations but your statement could be interpreted as overtly male chauvinistic (assuming you are a male). If you are a woman, your comments could be construed as enabling negative and chauvinistic stereotypes against women. Note: If you had not made a point to compliment comments by 4 males, I would not be making this observation to you. By the way, I'm male.
Choice of words/Sentence structure (syntax) is extremely important when communicating in writing. A misplaced comma, using "and" vs. "or" and the like can completely change the intended meaning of a sentence or phase. After re-reading Norman's, Christian's and Rebecca's responses, I wonder if (and hope) the question about who opposed the Commission is an issue of poor syntax on Norman's part, i.e., how he wrote it was not how he intended it to be interpreted. The sentence in question follows:
ReplyDelete"........ At the time, the commission faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, old and new democrats- it also faced opposition from influential Hispanics, mainly Maria Pellum and Christian Estevez. ........"
I interpreted "both sides of the political spectrum" to mean Democrats and Republicans. The use of a comma after the "political spectrum" phrase and then stating "old and new democrats"; I interpreted that to mean Old and New democrats AS INDIVIDUAL GROUPS opposed the Commission. If this was Norman's intent, then Rebecca's challenge is understandable. I will not be so presumptuous as to put words in Norman's mouth; however, if it was not his intent to state that the New Democrats, as a group, opposed the Commission, then he should've written words to the following affect:
"........ At the time, the commission faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum in general and, specifically, old democrats and some members of the new democrats with noted opposition from influential Hispanics, mainly Maria Pellum and Christian Estevez. ........"
In group decision-making, there may be some dissenters but if the majority decides to go a certain direction, that becomes the position of the group as a whole. If Christian is in fact a New Democrat, his blog response clearly demonstrates this - he may not agree or has concerns but will support (consensus mode). If this is the case, Rebecca stating that the New Democrats, as a group, supported the Commission is accurate even though there were some dissenting members. This would also mean that Norman's statement, as written, is in fact inaccurate and requires clarification.
Again, only Norman Ortega can state what he really meant.
TO QUOTE:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
And so, my friends, this is what happens when earnest people try to do something meaningful in Plainfield. Endless BS and blathering. Nice try, and good luck.
June 21, 2010 2:18 PM
To Anonymous (6/21, 2:18 PM):
ReplyDeleteThis is my last comment on this point. I respect your right to consider the above commentary as endless BS and blathering. Since you are uncomfortable with differing opinions and dialogue, you also have the right to not read it and exclude yourself from the process. Your choice, and good luck.
To all commenters,
ReplyDeleteI am amazed and encouraged at the number of comments posted here regarding the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs. I fully support this step forward in enabling our Hispanic residents to participate in the governance of the city. To put the record straight, to my knowledge the Republicans in Plainfield have never opposed the formation of this Commission. Indeed, over the past several years the Republicans have little power to influence anything in the city.
With regard to how influential this commission will be, remember that it is charged with advising both the Mayor and City Council. I agree with several commentors that, based on her record dealings with other advisory committees, the mayor will be little influenced by it. I also agree with the skeptics who feel that it is all for show on the part of Sharon and Jerry. However, the Council is another matter. They recently have shown a sizable degree of opposition to the mayor when they feel that she is misguided or downright wrong. I think that the Plainfield Hispanic community, from registered voters to undocumented residents, will find a sympathetic ear with a number of council members. If I am elected to council, I definitely will be one of those sympathetic ears, and will do everything I can to support Hispanics in Plainfield.
I would like to add that there is a place in the Plainfield Republican Party for all interested voters, and there is a place in Plainfield for the Republican Party. Please do not confuse Plainfield Republicans with the far right Republicans who unfortunately are in the national news all too often. Remember, back in the early '90's former Gov. Christie Whitman wrote a book entitled "It's My Party, Too", and since then she has worked to bring the state and national Republican party back to the spirit of the original party of Abraham Linclon. Anyone wishing to become more politically active in this city will have no problem joining with the Plainfield Republicans. Please get in
touch with me (753-1832 or jim_pivnichny@yahoo.com) if you are interested.
Jim