Recreation Commission Approved

Stilt walkers at a July 4th parade.

The City Council voted final passage Monday of an ordinance establishing a controversial Recreation Commission, but Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs has already said she will veto it.

Under the city’s special charter, the mayor has 10 days either to approve or veto any ordinance. The governing body may override a veto by a two-thirds majority, or five-member, vote.

The proposed seven-member commission would be responsible for recreation programming and would set a budget to pay for it. Commissioners would appoint a “recreation coordinator” and recommend his or her salary to the mayor and council. Other recreation staff as needed could also be appointed by the commission. At present, the city has a Recreation Advisory Committee that would become the initial members of the commission, if the legislation passes.

The controversy is over what would become of the city’s current Recreation Division, headed by Recreation Superintendent Dave Wynn. In the SFY 2011 budget, the City Council transferred funding from the salary and wages line to the line for seasonal workers, which supporters of Wynn interpreted as his de facto demotion to half-time employment.

The Recreation Division runs programs year round in various sports, organizes public events and trips and plans the annual July 4th celebration, among other duties. However, a volunteer-backed baseball league began accusing Wynn of obstructing their use of city ball fields more than a year ago, bringing their concerns to numerous council meetings and drawing top city officials into attempted resolution of the issues. Meanwhile, the division started its own baseball league with paid coaches and a lower registration fee than that of the volunteer group.

A Recreation Committee was re-established to help resolve the standoff, but committee leaders told the council they could not get needed information from Wynn. The Recreation Commission was then proposed, over the objections of the mayor and Wynn allies.

On Monday, four residents spoke in favor of establishing the Recreation Commission, while Wynn supporter Roland Muhammad chastised the council members, saying they should volunteer for city recreation programs.

“I have not seen any of you at Hannah Atkins (playground) except the mayor,” Muhammad said. “Don’t complain. If you want to see something better in Plainfield, volunteer. We challenge you to make Plainfield better.”

Advocates of a commission called for an approach to recreation programming that would not stop at youth athletics, but one that would include activities for people of all ages. In addition, speakers said the change could lead to improved communication and greater participation in programs.

The council then voted 5-2 to approve the ordinance. Council members William Reid and Bridget Rivers, who have repeatedly defended Wynn’s leadership, voted “no.” Vera Greaves, Cory Storch, Adrian Mapp, Rebecca Williams and Council President Annie McWilliams voted “yes.”

Click here to see a previous Plaintalker post on the controversy.

The next City Council agenda session is 7:30 March 7 in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave. The next regular meeting is 8 p.m. March 14 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice Paglia