Day Laborers, Roads, Landlords Among Forum Topics

Police tell young black people to move along while allowing "other ethnicities" to congregate on downtown streets, resident Norman Johnson told Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig at a community forum Wednesday.

"I'm not aware of that," Hellwig said, promising to "look into that."

Johnson's concern was among several raised by residents at the first of two community meetings set by Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. Wednesday's meeting was for First and Second Ward residents and those in the Third and Fourth wards are invited to meet with the mayor at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Washington Community School.

Johnson, one of about 25 people who attended Wednesday's meeting, repeated his complaint after another resident, Delois "Dee" Dameron, said there was too much loitering on East Second Street in the First`Ward. Johnson agreed, but said, "Nobody complains about Front Street - let's apply the law equally."

When the mayor asked where on Front Street, Johnson said it was around McDonald's where "those people" get a pass.

The block is among several where Latino day laborers wait for pick-up jobs.

The mayor said she knew people were looking for work and that people congregating was a known problem.

"We're trying to look at it respectfully," she said. "People are trying to survive."

She traced past efforts to establish a place where workers and employers could meet and said it was not just Latinos, but others who are looking for work.

Johnson said if African-Americans stood on corners looking for work, "They would be judged," but the mayor said black people, Latinos and Caucasians "stand in different areas" and to her knowledge, none have been moved.

The issue of day laborers dates back many years. See Plaintalker's 2006 post here.

Among other issues, resident Jeanette Criscione asked how the city is helping Lawrence Gardens residents who came to a July City Council meeting to complain about mold, roaches and mice. Public Works & Urban Development Director Eric Jackson said city inspectors as well as staff from the Health and Fire divisions performed a "mass inspection of all units" at the site. Jackson said state officials also came in and a large number of citations were written. He stressed that the city can only bring its strength to bear on such problems when residents make them known.

"If there is something wrong, call us," he said.

Jackson said the city will continue to monitor Lawrence Gardens.

"We are in constant communication with the residents who came out," he said. "If you call us, we are going to be responsive. It is a partnership."

(To reach Inspections, call (908) 753-3386.)

Although the mayor had reported on recent road work, Dameron asked for attention to East Second Street, which she said resembles a "roller coaster." Resident Jim Spear commended the administration for all the work done so far, but asked that pedestrian crossing signs be placed on South Avenue and East Seventh Street at Belvidere Avenue. South Avenue previously had "bumpouts" that extended into the roadway to calm traffic and help pedestrians cross the busy street safely.

Both Dameron and Alan Goldstein asked about a proposed streetscape project on East Second Street. Dameron said residents had been invited to a meeting earlier this year to discuss what amenities they wanted included in the plan, but nothing has been heard since. Jackson said he would have to check on the status of the streetscape project.

Goldstein also asked for an update on a committee that was supposed to be formed to study the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority and the mayor said she was waiting for a response from the City Council on three nominees.

"As soon as we get the three names, we will move forward," she said.

Goldstein also asked about disposal of brush and debris and was told it is all being taken to the Rock Avenue transfer station.

Residents had their say in the last half hour of the one-hour session. The first part was taken up with announcements by the mayor, many the same as what is posted on the city web site. The recitation resembled the mayor's State of the City address in that it also included various statistics such as 5,300 tons of storm debris being collected and a list of capital projects.

Among other announcements, she said 10 new police officers and 10 new firefighters are on the job and major crimes are down. A concession stand proposal rejected by the City Council will be resubmitted for a vote, she said.

In all, "It is phenomenal - a lot of good things are going on," the mayor said.

Anyone who missed the first meeting is welcome to attend the second one on Aug. 30.

--Bernice