Best wishes to former Councilwoman Linda Carter as she begins a three-year term as a
Linda will be sworn in Sunday at the freeholders' reorganization, noon at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.
While on the City Council, Linda made her mark as an advocate for youth and also as the torch bearer for National Night Out. The latter is an annual community gathering "to give crime a going-away party," with events over the years including marches, cookouts, appearances of McGruff the Crime Dog and symbolic porch-lighting and block parties. It was a pet project of former Councilwoman Elizabeth Urquhart during her 16-year tenure as the First Ward representative and Linda carried on the tradition after being elected as the First and Fourth Ward at-large representative.
A successor will be needed to organize city representation in the national event for 2011.
Early on in her two-term career on the City Council, Linda developed legislation for youth participation and representation in city government. Two related ordinances were passed and one was partially implemented. But even though youth needs have become increasingly a matter of concern in the city, these two ordinances have yet to become the tools they could be to engage young people in civic roles. Again, Carter's service could be honored by a council effort to make them viable.
The differences between the two commissions are described in a Plaintalker post here.
Linda resigned as of Dec. 27 and the Democratic City Committee will meet tonight to decide on three names from which the council will choose an appointee for the vacancy.
While each person to serve makes his or her own mark as a member of the governing body, it is always fitting to carry on traditions of service begun by others. Linda set some high goals for youth participation and for community awareness and prevention of crime. It is a legacy worthy of recognition and perpetuation by her colleagues and her successor.
--Bernice
Huh? Why even mention these. One was implemented partially and the other not at all and its worthy of recognition. Interview some students, some youth who have been impacted by the legislature. Tell us their success story. Then it becomes worthy. Our standards are just too low around here.
ReplyDeleteThere's too much credit being given for talking the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk it's a big zero. Is that worthy of perpetuation? I don't think so, and I have to agree with Anon 8:39 that our standards are too low. So low that we think talk is action. I've heard more talk at Council meetings, but see only a smidgen of action. Forget the big stuff because we've got too many stylists. Plainfield needs a new hair-do, but all we get are our split-ends trimmed. If even that.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! I am astounded by the hypocracy of people who complained that the job of council is just part time...and now here is the problem
ReplyDeleteIF YOU DID NOTHING BEFORE BECAUSE THE POST WAS PART TIME....what are you going to do now at a salary of 90K