Fourth Ward Councilwoman Bridget Rivers appears headed for approval as the 2013 City Council president when the governing body reorganizes in January.
At Monday's agenda fixing session, the council discussed numerous appointments to boards and commissions and expressed consensus on a number of other matters including official newspapers and meeting arrangements. Public comment included three testimonials for Rivers, who will be concluding a four-year term in 2013 and is expected to seek re-election. Resident Ozella Brundidge first praised Rivers, followed by Rev. Jason Greer, who contrasted her with Councilwoman Rebecca Williams. City Solicitor David Minchello called Greer's depictions of Williams "inappropriate," but Williams made reference to freedom of speech and Council President Adrian Mapp allowed Greer to continue.
While acknowledging Greer's right to speak, Councilman Cory Storch said the selection of a council president was a "private matter of the council."
"Rebecca Williams has done a fabulous job for the city," Storch said, though noting she has sometimes taken "unpopular positions."
But resident Kim Montford also came to the microphone to praise Rivers for her Fourth Ward representation.
Williams said she didn't know Rivers was seeking the presidency, because she did not get a call asking for support. She read into the record her letter to council members in which she gave reasons why she deserved the seat, including attendance at all meetings as well as "ethical leadership, independence, collegiality" and reading each council packet thoroughly.
But Councilman William Reid made a lengthy speech in favor of Rivers, saying he will vote for her on Jan. 3 and "We all support her."
"I'm not a big fan of all this lobbying for council president," Storch said, again calling it "a private thing" and saying, "We will have to do things differently in 2013."
Rivers won a June 2009 primary contest, beating Democratic Party choice Vera Greaves by six votes, and was unopposed in the November 2009 general election. She left a school board seat to take office on Jan. 1, 2010. Greaves was later appointed to the First and Fourth Ward at-large council seat vacated by Linda Carter, who was elected to a Union County freeholder seat. Greaves won a full term in 2011 and now often concurs with Rivers and Reid on votes.
Plaintalker posted a Q&A with Rivers in 2010 which you can read here.
--Bernice
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Bridget Rivers show up at a meeting every now and again and you think she should be Council President. 2013 election can't come fast enough, I just hope there are enough people with good sense in Plainfield to throw all these slugs out of office.
ReplyDeleteI have to say out loud that Rivers is a joke and embarrassment to the city of Plainfield. There is no organizational, leadership or business skills that she brings to the table and to think she is up to the task of being Council President is ridiculous. You know you may have to recite the Pledge of Allegiance - I'd beef up on that if I were you.
ReplyDeleteJust as ridiculous was the inappropriate cheerleading done by Ozella Brundidge, Rev. Jason Greer, and Kim Montford. The highly transparent and scripted praises must have took hours of rehearsal in front of a mirror.
Followed by Eke's lecture on leadership - "Leadership is something you're born with and cannot learn in school..." Haha! I guess all the universities across the globe who offer leadership courses are wrong. Whatever Eke - you couldn't lead yourself out of a box. Are you going to bring these lack of skills to PMUA?
Ah Councilman William Reid - Did you get a telephone call during the meeting to make sure you publicly supported River's Council President request?
@ Rebecca - Thank you for your outstanding service to our city. You are mature, intelligent, professional and understand when to be passionate in fighting for our city - which is EXPECTED of you since we have so many challenges. That passion and alignment with real skills to lead, problem solve and connect is absent from Rivers and the two other clowns who sit at the table with you.
Thank you Rebecca.
A shout out to Alan Goldstein - We appreciate your effort and honesty in questioning the city administration in how they spend our tax payer dollars. You're not alone and highly suspect that other residents in Plainfield will be join you in your fight.
The rah rah cheerleaders behind Bridget was classless. Also, Bridget's close friend Kim referred to her as Bridget "Rivera".
ReplyDeleteThe people have voted for the council, and it is the council's job to decide who will lead them.
It is because of this type of partisanhip and lack of understanding or care for the city of Plainfield that we need those who stay at home and don't vote to come out and vote for those who will put Plainfield first.
I think the problem is Plainfield do not want to see progress. I can tell that anon 9:51 is a New Dem but i say to you sit back and watch progress.
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:42
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is you don't know what progress is. For all you know 9:51 is a DEMOCRAT, Republican or Independent. I say you sit back and watch and learn.
Anon 10:42 is the same person as anon 9:51. God Bless you in the New year
ReplyDeleteBernice,
ReplyDeleteI did not receive any response to my email asking for support for the council presidency, so I actually printed out my letter, which I planned to hand out after the meeting was over. However, when Rev. Greer chose to make his ad hominem attacks on me (as opposed to saying anything substantive--for example, discussing my voting record), I felt that I ought to stand up for myself and read it into the record. I actually don't mind the public comments, as folks are entitled to their opinions, but I did feel that Charles Eke's comments were totally inappropriate and insulting to the governing body, as he will be sitting at the council table for two more days as a fill-in. It is possible that he has not read the council's rules of order and so does not realize how unseemly his behavior was. His commentary on "leadership" was laughable as well.
Now that Councilor Rivers has made her intentions known, and has the votes, I am withdrawing. Perhaps my colleagues will look favorably upon me for the council presidency if I decide to ask for support in 2014. As Councilor Storch said, it is a tough job. I wish my colleague Bridget the best as she takes on this role.
Rebecca
Anon 10:42 is not the same as anon 9:51 - To anon 10:42 anon 9:51 is unaffiliated, but understands progress, taxes, and being taken for a ride. To anon 12:20p same to you except remember that there is a separation between church and state, and not everyone believes in God - E I E I O.
ReplyDeleteGreat! More unqualified people in leadership roles for good 'ol Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, Ms. Rivers may be the choice for her ward, but certainly isn't qualified to be City Council President -- she speaks up and she does make her opinions known, but I don't necessarily think she has the leadership skills and/or knowledge to properly conduct meetings or properly guide the Council.
I'm truly scared at the composition of the upcoming Council and their self serving agendas to aggrandize themselves, their friends and their family. Plainfield will continue to be a dumping ground and a haven for the self-entitled as long as these type of people are voted in to lead our city.
Real leaders Lead. They take unpopular positions on difficult issues and they challenge status quo. Real leaders bring solutions to the table that keep the greater good in mind when prescribing a remedy in tough time. A leader does not just sit back and agree with those whose support they seek -- that's a politician.