But first the meeting at Emerson School was heavy on recitals from the "State of the City" address and a long review of what happened after Hurricane Sandy struck in October. At some point the mayor said, "I want this to be a dialogue, not a monologue," but for those who already heard her January address at the annual reorganization, it did seem like a one-woman show at first. Plaintalker was conflicted about attending in the first place, having sat through one too many of these events. At least it was heartening to know that those with concerns were heard this time.
The mayor said she had expected to have cabinet members on hand, but of four directors, one was on vacation and three were ill. Thus perhaps the reading aloud of minute details (587 potholes filled) from a very thick volume on her table. There were some tidbits of new news, such as the Social Security Administration's wish to close the satellite office at the Senior Center and the pledge of Congressman Rush Holt and Assemblyman Jerry Green to see what can be done to keep it. Holt staffer Matthew Hall was present and announced "Community Office Hours" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 11 at the Plainfield Public Library, where constituents can seek help with problems involving federal agencies or programs.
The mayor also wants to expand the city's Office of Emergency Management to include a number of new committees, and announced a mayor's task force called "YOUNG" (Youth Operating in Unity for a New Generation) that will do projects such as cleaning the Plainfield Avenue cemetery. The group will hold a kick-off event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (March 1) at the YMCA.
Among the neighborhood concerns, residents said there are no speed signs on Emerson Avenue, despite many requests, and no street cleaning. One man said after he diligently clears snow from his driveway, it gets plowed in and snow from the Emerson School grounds is pushed across the street directly into his property.
Former Councilwoman Elizabeth Urquhart said St. Nicholas Boulevard residents have complained to her about people parking late at night for illicit activities, and a Seneca Place resident said cars park late every night there. Both streets abut Milt Campbell Field. The mayor said the issue had been raised at a meeting of the Plainfield United Block Association and Lt. James Abney of the Plainfield Police Division was looking into it.
Another resident asked for help because of foreclosed properties on her block that are in need of repair, leaving others struggling to preserve the neighborhood. The mayor said she would write a "blurb" on the computer and send it to the department head.
Resident Jim Spear described the problem of people trying to get across South Avenue at Belvidere Avenue, where a crosswalk was covered over in new construction and now there are no markings to slow down traffic. He said once he and a neighbor got stuck in the middle of the street when drivers would not slow down.The mayor said officials knew of the problem and were looking into solutions, though some devices would have best been installed during construction. She suggested having the city's Mobile Command Unit placed nearby as a warning to drivers to slow down.
A demolition company owner said his firm was not getting any city business, though the mayor seemed to recall that it had been used early in her tenure to demolish a fire-damaged structure. The mayor said there had once been a "minority set-aside" for local firms, but it was later deemed illegal. The two agreed to continue the dialogue after the meeting.
And despite the number of potholes filled in 2012, speakers had a few more to tell the mayor about. She concluded the evening with a quick review of notes she took on all the problems raised by residents and promised responses to all.
Jim is correct - I experience time and time again instances where cars speed up if you try to cross both South Ave and E7th in the crosswalks. And forget it if a car actually stops for you, the one behind him will speed up and try to go around him, making it even more difficult to cross. It's a joke amongst those of us that walk to and from the train that one day one of us is going to end up seriously injured from one of these inconsiderate and unsafe drivers because then we can sue them for a whole bunch of money. Unless we're dead.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting how Robinson-Briggs is all of a sudden interested in what residents have to say.....hmmmm must be election year.
ReplyDeleteIt is an election year and our mayor aways gets interested in us little folk when she wants to get reelected and then forgets us when she's in office. Ask anyone who has tried to contct the mayor via letter, email, or phone call.
ReplyDeleteThe photo looks as though attendance was pretty sparse. Bernice, I wonder if you have a sense of how many people were there--aside from city employees, of course. I have attended some of the mayor's "community meetings" and noticed that the audience actually included a lot of city employees, in some cases outnumbering the "community members" in attendance.
ReplyDeleteI happen to live on the same block as the mayor (in Plainfield, not Piscataway). There is a house on our shared block that has been vacant and apparently abandoned following a fire several years ago. It is most certainly an eye sore and I am sure that it negatively impacts local property values. If the Mayor can't/won't/doesn't do anything about houses like this on her own block, I surely wouldn't hold my breath that she would do anything about abandoned houses anywhere else in Plainfield!
ReplyDeleteThe mayor has many sides to her mouth. How can you say you want to start a new organization dealing with our Youth but SHE continues to BULLY the Queen City Baseball League, Inc. (QCBL) Youth. So folks if you didn't know if you didn't know already she picks and chooses BUT cares about NONE!! If employees are showing up especially if they don't reside in Plainfield check the budget "overtime"
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