Two former gang members who received city jobs after declaring a truce are now questioning their treatment.
In public comment Tuesday, Tayir Pugh told the City Council he is grateful for his Public Works job, but he alleged the reformed gang members are viewed negatively by some.
"A lot of things people are saying were not appreciated," he said. "If anybody has anything to say, say it now."
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams reacted by saying discussions of personnel in executive session are confidential and there have been too many instances of confidentiality being breached, thus bringing people out to meetings.
Housing Authority Commissioner Joanne Hollis, a former councilwoman, said she had asked the council to "give the gentlemen a second chance," but felt those from the West End should go to the East End and vice versa. Hollis had previously spoken out about a shooting at the Hannah Atkins pool where children and lifeguards dived for cover, the apparent target being a former gang member working there. The pool was then closed.
"Why shut down the Atkins pool behind a shooting that did not affect the children?" she asked
Another former gang member said he was promised a seasonal Public Works job until Dec. 1, but then was told his job was over as of Oct. 1.
"We kept our promise," he said, adding it is not right to break a promise.
Acting City Administrator David Kochel said there was no guarantee of employment for seasonal workers and City Council President Annie McWilliams said whoever made the promise had no right to do so.
Asked who made the promise, the former gang member said, "City Hall," but refused to give any name.
The truce began in May after five gang leaders met at an IHOP restaurant in nearby North Plainfield. They held a press conference and later met with Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, who praised them and encouraged them to become mentors to other young people. First reported by Mark Spivey in the Courier News, the story was picked up by numerous other media outlets. It was widely regarded as responsible for a drop in the rash of shootings that had plagued the city for about a year.
Link to comments about gang violence by The Rev. Al Sharpton at the Aug. 1, 2010 Town Meeting
--Bernice
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I promise not to smash windows in downtown Plainfield of businesses and will not pee on the steps of the library.
ReplyDeleteThere...made my promise and I intend to stick by it. What you gonna do for me Mayor ??? What's in it for me not to do these things ?? I'm waiting for my payday.
Rob has it right. I wish I could say I was surprised at such bad behavior from our mayor, but Sharon does it so well. Where is that pesky recall petition?
ReplyDeleteMany City employees worked for years for the City and were layed off for budget cuts.
ReplyDeleteThey should have been the first to seek back for employemnt, even for a summer job instead of giving jobs to gang members who will more than likely return to their shenanigangs once they don't have a job. Surprised neither of them got hurt so they could be out on workmans comp - Oops, sorry if I gave them an idea.
Obviously crime pays. Maybe not as much or for as long as the gang members would like, but considering they're replacing laid-off, law-abiding, former city employees, it's a pretty good deal.
ReplyDeleteDerilict city; that's what we've got here in Plainfield. That's why we've got jokers like the mayor and assemblyman representing us, along with their toadies and the other go along/get along types on the City Council and Democratic City Committee.
The rug is being pulled out from under us with every step.
Makes me laugh that gang members have a conscience about people keeping their word. Physically hurting innocent people is just fine, however.
ReplyDeleteJoin life, young men. You have a second chance, and it sounds like you are smart enough to realize it. Do some good.
TRASH - all around! RIDICULOUS.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unfortunate that the young men who's trying to do the right thing, asking for a second chance, was promised jobs by the Mayor now feel betrayed. We all knew from the beginning that the promise of jobs in a time when the economy is in ruins and the city just went through a couple layoffs it would be almost impossible to create long term employment for these young men. One can only pray that although these young men feel betrayed they still keep to their side of the bargain. The only thing that counts in the long run what (YOU DO), not the Mayors broken promise.
ReplyDeleteJackie
Deals? Huh? We have to bribe gang members to quit the senseless shootings with promises of employment? Is this the Mayor's plan on reducing crime in our city? What happened to all the claims and promises Sharon made prior to being re-elected?
ReplyDelete"Former" gang members whining about a broken promise from City Hall is laughable. Another self-serving deal that has done nothing to improve our community.
It's time for a RECALL.
Gang members upset because someone did something that was not right.
ReplyDeleteYou're kidding, right?