Applause broke out when the City Council passed resolutions Monday in support of "ban the box" legislation improving the chances of people with criminal records to get jobs, and the "DREAMer" law that could help undocumented children of immigrants afford college costs.
In public comment before the votes, Cookie Rivera of Integrated Justice Alliance said she was very pleased to see the city join numerous other municipalities and groups across the state that are supporting proposed "ban the box" legislation. Formally labeled The Opportunity to Compete Act, the proposed law would revise hiring practices that currently require people with criminal records to check a box on job applications.
Other proposed legislation would permit in-state tuition and possible college financial aid for certain undocumented students.
City resident and Latino activist Christian Estevez thanked the council members for supporting both bills, saying they are important for all municipalities, "especially Plainfield." He said the "ban the box" legislation means employers can't just dismiss applicants with criminal records, but have to give them a chance.
Regarding the "Dreamers" education issue, Estevez said there are young people at Plainfield High School who get great grades and are model students but have to pay double the cost of attending state colleges and universities because they were brought here as children and lack documentation. The students, not just Latino but of many family nationalities, are considered "out of state" applicants even though they may have lived here since infancy.
Among other actions:
- The City Council authorized introduction of the 2013 budget Monday and also approved hiring David Kochel as budget consultant, but put off naming members of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee until May 13, signaling a late start for deliberations.
- The city will be operating through May with temporary funding pending budget adoption, and the governing body has yet to announce dates for budget hearings with department and division heads.
- The council approved closure of South Second Street between Clinton Avenue and Morris Street on May 4 to permit a motorcycle club to hold a gathering in recognition of autism awareness. Click link for details. Two club members who spoke Monday night told the council that youngsters in attendance will be kept separate from an area where alcohol will be served.
- The council also passed a resolution in recognition of autism awareness.
- A settlement was approved for former Police Captain Michael Gilliam, who will receive back pay and pension credit for a period of demotion during which he filed suit against the city and Police Director Martin Hellwig.
Among responses from City Administrator Eric Berry on questions raised at the April 1 meeting, a report on all Urban Enterprise Zone-funded programs will be given to the governing body "shortly."
"That was the response last time," Councilman Cory Storch said.
Council members have been asking for a report on use of UEZ funds since the state dissolved the program and turned fund balances over to municipalities for administration It is almost a year since Councilman Adrian Mapp sought a full accounting of how Plainfield's $4 million balance is being handled.
These are some of the topics from last night, more may follow.. The next.agenda fixing session is 7:30 p.m. May 6 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave., followed by a regular meeting at 8 p.m. May 13 in the same location. Anyone wishing to see background documentation on the April meetings can ask at the Plainfield Public Library's reference desk for the April 1 and 8 packets.
--Bernice
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Not surprised the council approved of ban the box. We have SRB that negotiates with thugs, a municipal authority that seves as a staffing agency for ex-cons and a bunch of council members that have no interest in abiding by rules and regulations, rather are more interested in making up up there own game plan and if you dare question them they'll tell you "move", right Mr. Reid?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity to have drug dealers, murderers, rapists, and all around thugs working in our schools, day care centers, hospitals, etc. But I guess it's society's fault they fouled up right, not mom or dad's.......that's the Plainfield way, always somebody else's fault, always somebody else's responsibility. Go Team Plainfield.
Sad, so sad.
Congratulations to Captain Michael Gilliam who was demoted in retaliation for exposing Director Hellwig's solicitation of prostitution while on duty in 2009. It's unfortunate that the City opted to protect Director Hellwig and punish those who turned him in. Gilliam should have held out for so much more!
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