Somehow nobody knew that the Independence Day allocation is not under the Recreation Division, but is on a separate line under "Community Purposes" along with such things as Drake House and an allocation for veterans' activities.
However, that did not stop Councilman William Reid from talking up the proposed "welcome home" parade for vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and spilling the beans that yard signs, 250 bumper stickers and 1,000 "badges" have already been ordered for the event. The news brought an exclamation of surprise from Council President Adrian Mapp, who had been trying to pin down the costs of an add-on concert that was only recently announced.
Reid said the Recreation Division and the mayor are reaching out to veterans' groups and he suggested that the city's new public information officer, Terry West, will be able to handle publicity to draw crowds from around Central Jersey for the July 7 events.
Given that there are no members on the Independence Day Committee, these plans appear to be coalescing in an ad hoc manner since being introduced very recently. There is a longstanding joke about how things get done by committee (ex: a camel is a horse designed by a committee, a platypus is a duck designed by a committee), but one might say that planning a multi-faceted event, meant to draw many thousands of people to Plainfield, without some fiscal oversight from an official committee is a recipe for mischief at best or disaster at worst.
If only select people are in the know on the July 7 plans and things get complicated, it will not absolve the entire governing body from censure, as the council is supposed to have the final say on expenditures. The Recreation Division and indeed the administration must be forthright with the governing body on Independence Day plans and the precise costs involved. Accountability up front will save a lot of headaches later, as witrness the WBLS fiasco. Have lessons been learned?
--Bernice
Once again Reid and Shady Sharonda are showing how inept they are. Is Sharon trying to show how great a supporter of Vets she is and trying to get re-elected? If so, it won't work, as we are so tired of her. Reid seems to be playing along and should show his constituents that they really need to vote him out at their earliest convenience. Reid and the other stooges, Dunn, and their ilk are no good for Plainfield and definitely not good for our pocketbooks. Let's do this, but in an organized and fiscally healthy manner. Oops, this mayor and her friends don't know how to do that. Thank God for people on the City Council who do look at the bottom line.
ReplyDeleteBernice,
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants to know who is running these events they should contact Barbara James. Mrs. James was at the Block Association meeting and announced the event. Mrs. James invited all present to all three events. So much for austeridad!
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteI have sent a request to City Administrator Eric Berry and Dir. of Public Works Eric Jackson about these events. Director Jackson responded to me a short while ago that he will provide the answers to all my questions.
I have requested that answers to all my requests be provided at tonight's budget deliberation meeting--the gist of my requests are as follows:
I have asked for a full accounting of what has been spent thus far on the July 4/Veteran's parade--and what the total budget is projected to be, and the full and total projected costs of the "concert" portion. This includes police, fire, cleanup, food, vendors, rentals, performance payments, advertising, insurance, vehicle rentals, tent rentals, videotaping, photography, city employee/staff costs, etc. As Council President Mapp stated at yesterday's budget deliberation, if Union County cannot afford to stage such a concert, where on earth would a small municipality such as Plainfield get the funds? What lines are these events being charged to? What portion has the county said it would pay?
From what Councilman Reid said last night, it seems that money is already being committed to this--yard signs, bumper stickers, and badges? I am concerned that they are advertising for events--the budgets for which have not been presented to council. I have asked for the names of the people on the committee Councilman Reid referred to, and who is deciding how taxpayer funds are being used. I have asked about the roles of the volunteers, and the names of everyone who is a part of this. I ave also asked for a copy of all meeting minutes.
Since there are only 10 weeks until these events are supposed to occur, I expressed that I am quite troubled by the haphazard way this is being approached--no one had any answers last night. This is the opposite of fiscal responsibility and, on behalf of my constituents, I am very concerned. Again, I have asked that this information be available at tonight's budget deliberation meeting this evening, with copies for the CBAC members as well.
Rebecca
Are you kidding me? You can't get the people who live in Plainfield to attend, so how in the world do they expect to get people outside of Plainfield, (whose views are only negative regarding Plainfield) to attend? They have no interest in coming to a town where craziness, backstabbing and name calling reign supreme. I live here and can't wait to get out and know I won't be coming back once I'm gone no matter how many parades they have.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the stickers and badges will have some mention (even if in small print) ....from the Mayor and Council....If so, let them shell it out of their own pockets.
ReplyDeleteJust curious: what's this going to cost per returning vet?
ReplyDeleteRebecca who do you represent, certainly not the residents in Plainfield. I go to the july 4th parade every year and I see the children and the seniors love it. Why are you so negative against any and everything. I know your take on the veterans, but myself will love to celebrate the home coming of the veterans
ReplyDeleteLet's see...
ReplyDeleteUnion County can't afford the event so they get their butt puppy Plainfield to do it.
Would all those who are honestly shocked, please stand up. Bet you there's a job for Sharon someone in Union County when the party in Plainfield is over !!
I know, I know.. Those Damn Republicans always sticking it to the little guy!
Off message, but wanted cat lovers to know that the basket and rope worked. The cat is out the tree and now we just need to get the owner's forwarded address from the office (they don't have her phone number)and express a note to let her know that we found her. She had come back but spoke to the folks in the back and never posted anything. Thanks for caring and I know it wasn't the most important issue of concern, but it was sad. Bernice sorry to use you blog, but could not think of any better community outreach.
ReplyDeleteCouncilperson, Rebecca Williams, represents her constituents in the Second and Third Wards-At Large and does a great job! As she visits and talks to the residents in these neighborhoods, she knows our needs and our wants and isn't afraid to make our voices heard through raising hers. I, for one, am extremely thankful that she represents us.
ReplyDeleteMargaret A. Lewis
I second Margaret's comment. If it wasn't for people like Rebecca et al. asking for an accounting of an event that a) has no clear planning committee in place, b) will spend how many extra unnecessary tax dollars, and c) that will last just ONE DAY, then maybe we should all just roll over and accept the mayor's budget cuts like you seem to want to do, anon 10:09AM, that will take funds from a learning facility like the library. My money's on Rebecca!! Our library provides services for people to learn and to get jobs, and maybe even turn away from a life of crime. Oh, and I wonder how many of those returning veterans will need a job come July 8th, once the parade is over, hmmm!? Where will they go for help? The mayor???
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to worry about how it will get paid. They will just find a line item that is large enough and a director who will bend to the will and it shall be done. Since there was no real reprecussion for the WBLS affair, why not try it again?
ReplyDeletei'm taking bets that there will be a stall tactic and vendors will be engaged prior to approval and then it will be too late to back out of it. We will have to pay.
ReplyDeleteWhen are the people of Plainfield going to wake UP!!!! So, the seniors and kids enjoy the entertainment is reason to vote the people back into office time and time AGAIN?! I have been following this circus for far too long and, the people of Plainfield need to wake up and look at the real issues.
ReplyDeleteMadam Mayor - did you learn nothing from the WBLS/Rev. Al Sharpton debacle? This can only end badly, with censure by the council, at least those members with courage.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous at 10:09:
ReplyDeleteWhy would you suggest that I am against veterans and a July 4tth parade? I said nothing of the kind--your willful misinterpretation of my post and comments demonstrates that you are "politicking" and have no concern about how city funds are spent. It is the fiduciary responsibility of every elected official to ensure that our veterans, children, and all other residents have their interests protected by fiscally responsible use of funds.
Rebecca
Rebecca Please if that is the case then why spend over $100,000.00 plus on a Al Sharpton debate. Your spending of tax payer's dollars is a real JOKE. You want to spend taxpayer's dollars they way you want to spend them. plainfield let's be real about this.
ReplyDeleteInstead of anonymous could we set up a profile that people can log into called "Moron's For The Mayor" ?? They'd actually log into it Bernice, you know they would.
ReplyDeleteSince there are so many people who have no issue with the money I suggest they set up a "We'll Pay for the "HONORABLE" Mayor's Charity Work" Fund to put that money back into the city coffers. She's practically a saint to them..so they won't mind paying up.
Now Rob ... what did we say about epithets?
Deletetouche... tongue being watched
DeleteTo Anonymous 5:22 am
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in the sense that the $100,000.00 plus for lawyers was ill advised. I think a more effective use of tax payer dollars would have been to use that money for a RECALL campaign to get you and your cronies out of office. Rebecca does not represent my ward but KUDOS for speaking up for an accounting of tax dollars before it's spent (we hope)with this administration it's always better to claim ignorance or state of emergency that to ask permission.
Anymous is either Sharon or a Sharon lover. Good luck to you, you've hitched your wagon to a donkey and won't get far. Keep up the good work, Rebecca. City Hall doesn't care about Plainfield, I'm glad some people do.
ReplyDeleteBob Bolmer
Kudos to you Rebecca you have a very few cronies of your own. If they took the blinder's off they would be able to see better. Oh yeah I forgot they are only going to see through their own eyes. Righ is Right and Wrong is Wrong. Bob Bolmer we know you are a Rebecca cronie but i will say she is doing a horrible or should i say a terrifying job as a council person.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of Plainfield residents, literally, don't understand fiscal responsibility. That's why when, someone like Councilwoman Williams, speaks up on an issue regarding accountability, the "self-entitled addicts" who are used to freebies come out of the woodwork to complain.
ReplyDeleteSo many citizens in this community, for so long, have been trained to believe that they are entitled; they've been spoiled by politicians (hoping to clinch their vote at election time) with tax-payer funded events where they always get a freebie.
Most of us who pay the highest property taxes in Plainfield are always paying to subsidize someone elses party, undeserved job, poorly planned community project and/or whatever else MY property taxes are used for in this City. There is no interest in making an honest effort to put that money to rebuild a stable, safe and progressive community -- it's all a facade, and what's going on behing the smoke and mirrors is all the backroom deals that have nothing to do with helping the community moving forward, rather, planning how to deceive the residents and the very constituents that support them.
There are no long term goals, it's all about the next election, for most.
The current administration and their cronies are dysfunctional -- it's laughable and pathetic at the same time. They have done a disservice to every resident of Plainfield and even moreso to the very community they claim serve. They do not take accountability for their actions and they do not set a positive example for anyone to follow.
There are very few role models in Plainfield's leadership; and for those who dare question authority around here, or a freebie for that matter, that person will always be perceived as being against the local majority. Sad, very sad.
How can this Mayor spend this kind of capital on one time events. She should utilize this money to hire back all those City workers she and the administration laid off. Oh wait she has rehired back her friends!
ReplyDeleteBy now we should all know that the Mayor does exactly what she wants with no regards as to who's affected. I respect Rebecca for speaking up and asking the important questions, and its such ashamed that when or if you do this you are scandalized. I agree answer the dog-gone questions and lets move on. We can't afford anymore Council members who support this spending as if we Tax Payers aren't suffering. I'm advising everyone I know to vote for Veronica Taylor, someone with her own mind and the real issues of the City at heart. Dan although might not have the experience get out while you have a chance, (run forest run) to all if you know how to Pray, Pray for the City of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteWhat troubles me is that Councilor Reid said that money has already been spent on buttons and other items advertising the July 4th event.
ReplyDeleteWho authorized this? Who is spending our money, perhaps illegally?
Bernice, Plainfield is not the only place parades have been canceled/downsized. Between TV, Cable, Apple who really goes to watch them? The people who have someone the know who is in them, that is about all [me included]
ReplyDelete