Commission Candidates Eager To Serve

Mary E. Burgwinkle, Jeanette Criscione, Carrell Martin, Ricky Allen Smiley.

Participants in the Plainfield League of Women Voters' Charter Study Commission forum said they are ready  to take on the nine-month commitment and urged voters to approve the ballot question on establishing the commission.

Seven candidates are vying for five seats on the proposed commission, but unless voters pass the question, none will be seated. Candidates are Mary E. Burgwinkle, Jeanette Criscione, John Stewart, Ricky Allen Smiley, John Davis III, Marie L. Davis and Carrell Martin. Stewart was unable to attend the forum due to a death in the family. The Davises, mother and son, did not attend.

Before opening statements, moderator Michelle Bobrow of the League of Women Voters of Maplewood-South Orange read information prepared by the Plainfield League, including the ballot question:
"Shall a Charter Commission be elected to study the special charter of the City of Plainfield

and to consider a new charter or improvements in the present charter and to make

recommendations thereon?"

and some background:

Voters must approve both the Question and five candidates for the Commission. If the Question is not approved, the Commission will not be established.

Plainfield’s government operates under a special charter passed by the State Legislature in 1968. It provides for a seven-member City Council, an elected mayor with administrative powers, and a city administrator in charge of day-to-day operations. All government operations fall under three departments led by directors. They are Administration & Finance, Public Works, and Public Affairs & Safety.

The Commission, if approved, will study the charter and may suggest changing to one of 11 forms of government recognized in New Jersey; changes to the present special charter: or no change.

Once the Commission offers its findings, voters will have a say in adopting any changes.

The current charter became effective on Jan. 1, 1969. Previously, the city had a special charter granted by the State Legislature in 1872. Changes were proposed in 1972 and 1990, but never enacted.

In opening statements, Burgwinkle said it is a "given" that the charter study should happen. She suggested ways to reduce three main costs of a study. Instead of printing and publishing, she advocated use of the Internet and weblogs. To save on consultant costs, the commision could use the services of a Rutgers professor emeritus at no cost. As for travel, she said New Jersey is "a driveable state" and commissioners could carpool if necessary.

She said the study would be done "as efficiently as possible."

Criscione said the study was about "potential" and "possibilities."

"Plainfield is a great city. The destiny for Plainfield is here."

The charter is outdated and stale and is superseded by state law, she said.

"Why do we have a charter that's not relevant?" she asked.

With a good document, she said, "Plainfield will achieve its destiny."

Martin said the charter is 44 years old and should at least be reviewed.

Smiley said he is in a unique position to be a commissioner, as he was employed by the city for nearly 25 years. He said he was involved with the 1990 study, which "didn't go anywhere." Taking part in a new study, he said, would be "an opportunity to give back to a city that gave me so much."

The Plainfield League posed two questions to the commission candidates. The first was whether candidates knew about the timeline for the study and whether they were prepared to commit to it. Criscione noted the nine-month study period and said, "There's no dragging your feet. You need to hit certain milestones."

Smiley said he was "very aware" of the timeline and that it was laid out in state regulations.

Burgwinkle had already mentioned it in her opening statement and said there was a guide to one-month increments for study. Carrell and all others pledged commitment to the process.

The second question was whether candidates had any aspects of the current charter that were especially in need of study. Smiley said he was trying to keep an open mind, but would probably want to take a look at the office of the corporation counsel and the department of Public Affairs & Safety. Criscione was concerned about how the powers of government are distributed, a view Martin shared. Burgwinkle said she should probably not tip her hand, but said the way municipal government was structured was "clearly not working." 

In closing statements, Martin said she wants to make a difference in the community and will "listen to the people" to make sure their needs are met.

"We have to communicate," she said.

Burgwinkle said it is clear that the charter needs to be changed and wants an open public meeting format for all commission sessions. She said commissioners are needed who will pitch in and do their homework.

"When we are all gone, the charter will linger," she said.

Smiley again cited his unique experience and said having the city work better is his only goal.

Criscione asked everyone to vote for the charter study, saying the citizens deserve it and deserve an open forum.

"Truly I'm committed to Plainfield," she said.

Bobrow later reminded people to examine their sample ballots. The Charter Study Commission question is at the top, while candidates are at the bottom of the block that starts with the office of president. Polling hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.

--Bernice