So said City Council President Adrian Mapp as officials preached togetherness following one of the oddest primary campaigns in recent memory. Mapp and the Rev. Tracey Brown ran on the Democratic Party line, but supporters of Brown's opponent for the citywide at-large council seat also asked voters to choose Mapp . Brown is the pastor and close friend of Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, who openly supported Mapp's opponent for the Third Ward seat, Rasheed Abdul-Haqq. Mapp and the mayor faced off in the 2009 election and seem headed for a rematch in 2013.
But all were one big family after the primary Tuesday and may be at least through November, when all hands will be on deck to get President Barack Obama re-elected.
At Taylor's headquarters Tuesday after the returns showed she lost, Taylor and campaign manager Rebecca Williams were philosophical.
"We were not triumphant this time around," Williams said.
Under the "New Democrats" banner, Williams has led campaigns in the past that knocked out candidates on the party line.
"We ran off the line, it's a presidential year ... it's a wonder we got any votes," Taylor said.
In automated phone calls before the election, Taylor urged voters to vote 1A for Obama and 7B for herself Williams, Councilwoman Annie McWilliams, Councilman Cory Storch and bloggers Dan Damon and Dr. Harold Yood urged voters to support both Taylor and Mapp.
If Brown prevails in November, as is almost certain, she will likely be the fourth vote favoring the mayor as Robinson-Briggs seeks re-election. Had Taylor won, succeeding McWilliams, the current 4-3 weight in favor of the New Democrats would probably have prevailed.
"We tried to run a clean campaign," Brown said, adding she and Taylor have been friends "for a very long time."
She said she and Taylor had made a pact that they would still work together to show they need not be "arch-enemies."
"What the devil tried to do, God turned around," Brown said.
Mapp, who held on to his New Democrat chairmanship even after winning a Union County freeholder seat on the party line, returned to the council in 2008 by defeating party choice Don Davis for the Third Ward seat. But then he confounded some when he accepted the party line for re-election this year from Green, chairman of the Regular Democratic Committee.
With party choices taking both council slots on the November ballot, Green asked all to "show love for each other, because this city needs help in the worst way."
The Democratic Party gathering Tuesday was in the same Roosevelt Avenue venue where Green assembled his city committee members in February to impress Rep. Rush Holt, who is seeking re-election to the 12th District, which now includes Plainfield through post-census redistricting. Green said Tuesday he will leave it up to the mayor and council to "please make my life easier by working together."
In a sidelight to the primary, Mapp spoke of his interest in the school system and his interest in who filed for four school board seats Tuesday. He said he will "be behind candidates that are not a part of the district right now."
Green just happened to have the list in his pocket and said there were eight candidates, two slates which he characterized as "Obama versus Christie." Mapp said the group he supports includes Mahogany Hendricks, Catherine Crittendon, Dollie Hamlin and Delois Dameron. The others were named as Jackie Coley, Susan Phifer, Keisha Edwards and Frederick Moore Sr. The three three-year terms and one one-year unexpired term will be voted on Nov. 6 and the winners will take office in January.
Besides school board filings, Tuesday was also the day for independent candidates to file in order to appear on the November ballot. Plaintalker will check with the County Clerk's office for any filings by independents.
--Bernice
I personally would like to thank Storch and Mapp personally for ensuring it's "All about Obama in 2012".... Roni Taylor and the other New Dems's however, may see the foolishness of the council's 2 New Dems's "Vote the Party Line" mantra.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Brown...you have work to help obstruct.
Don't look now Ma, but we just bought the Brooklyn Bridge.
ReplyDeleteIf you're disgusted with the politics in Plainfield, VOTE REPUBLICAN IN NOVEMBER!
ReplyDeleteTracy Brown is a disaster waiting to happen. I hope she has a Republican challenger I can vote for in the general election. Ms. Brown is only Rev. in her church, but in the City Council she is only Ms. Brown. We'll see if she has the moral fortitude to do what's right. I won't hold my breath after I've seen some of the shadiness in her campaign. Is someone playing taps for Plainfield. Thanks Jerry for putting yourself before Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteIs she calling Taylor the devil? What a ridculous comment. Another bright bulb.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the council meetings will be going to "church" since Rev. Brown is the declared winner. During her victory speech many in attendance said "Amen." When will Plainfielders learn that church and state don't mix. We are in for a bumpy ride because afterall in Rev. Brown's own words "the devil meant it for evil." One can only hope that the real devil is exposed sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteResidents voting for the same 'ol political hacks need to wake up and realize that with all the tax exempt houses of worship in Plainfield and all the religious rhetoric at Council meetings, Plainfield still sits at the bottom of the barrel on all levels, including its poor educational system, high crime, increasingly high home foreclosure rates and the list goes on and on.
ReplyDeleteGuess what ultra-religious folk -- God ain't listening to you! and the state of this city is a prime example.
So, while you pray, stop and take a look
around at all of our neighboring communities and ask why they are in much better shape than Plainfield has been for years! If you believe what you preach then God must be liking what our neighbors are doing in their communities, because their streets are clean, their crime is low and their schools are rated as some of the best in the state; and, do us all a favor, stop using all the religious rhetoric at public events, there are many of us who are religious and/or spiritual and still believe in the separation of church and state. The U.S. Constitution is what tries to keep us all as equal as possible. Quit spewing your theological philosophy on my tax dollar time!
Look at the demographics of Plainfield. It tells the whole story.
ReplyDeletePeople Stop it already, Rev. Brown won regardless of how one might feel. Now unless you filed to run against her in November, please stop with the comments, and hiding under the Anonymous name. If you feel that strong give your name already. All we can do is come to meetings and do whatever is possible to help OUR city. Congratulations to all candidates, I realize it's not easy running for any political office. Please Look Out For The Needs Of The Citizens and Do What's Right. To everyone else please no more attacking our city officials.
ReplyDeleteJaclynne Callands.
@ 1:03PM - Stop with the comments?
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that people have chosen to exercise their First Amendment right, as we need it now more than ever, especially in Plainfield.
The only way that things will change in Plainfield is if residents keep putting the pressure on the failed leadership of this administration and city; pressuring them to the point of embarrassment and shaming them into doing the right thing for everyone, not just a few.
Now is not the time to keep quiet. Now is the perfect time to speak up, speak loudly and speak often until you are heard.
Thanks for inspiring me, Ms. Callands.
Thanks for your comment Oscar your are so right. More importantly, whoever wins in November we need to hold their feet to fire on every campaign promise they made and ever stand they took on community issues. I know I will be.
ReplyDeleteRobin Bright
Mr. Riba, you said it Loud and Clear, and I agree with you whole heartedly to the point it's past time to hold our City officials (Administration and Council members) accountable for the condition this city is in, something I've been doing for the past few years. We should exercise our First Amendment Rights, something that to few are doing. What I'm saying is the personal attacks regarding her character. The fact that she's a Pastor and her beliefs in my opinion shouldn't be up for discussion, if however she can seperate Church from State, which are seperate and should be kept seperate. If she can't seperate the 2 then, I guess the gloves are off for those comments as well. Now if you're talking about PMUA and other political situations, that's welcome and we should all speak out and keep their feet to the fire. Thank you for your comments, that made me clearify exactly what I meant. Lastly my vote did not help her win the seat. I love Plainfield too much and I've been here for 46 years when it was the Queen City. #enoughsaid.
ReplyDeleteJaclynne Callands