Rowand Clark, who served as city prosecutor in 1982-85, city solicitor for part of 1990 and corporation counsel in 1990-93, told the Charter Study Commission Thursday that the 1968 special charter was the then-controlling interests in Plainfield, Republicans and downtown businessmen, "to suppress the black vote." He cited a portion of the charter that set forth the sequence of terms starting in 1970 and said it took 12 years for change to take place. He advocated an election system in which all terms would be up at one time.
I was not here until 1983, but I looked up the section on terms and welcome comments from anyone who recalls who was on the council between 1970 and 1982. There certainly was a shift after that to a mainly Democrat, African-American council. The system of staggered terms also tends to keep a focus on the next election and the balance of power rather than governance, he suggested. We certainly see this in the struggle among Democratic factions to "count to four" on the council.
Below is the language of the special charter followed by a summary of the terms to 1982. Plaintalker welcomes comments on possible effects of the staggered term sequence versus a system where all seats are up at the same time.
2.3 Qualification; term.
(a) Each councilman shall be a legal voter of the city and a resident of the ward or wards from which he is elected, in the case of a ward councilman, or of any ward in the city in the case of an at-large councilman, for at least 1 year prior to his election.
(b) Each councilman shall serve for a term of 4 years beginning on January 1 next following his election except that of those first elected the first ward councilman shall be elected for a term of 1 year; second ward, 2 years; third ward, 3 years; fourth ward, 4 years; and councilman-at-large, 3 years; councilman-at-large from first and fourth wards, 2 years; and councilman-at-large from second and third wards, 1 year.
1970: First Ward and 2&3
71-74, 75-78
1970-71: Second Ward and 1&4
72-75, 76-79
1970-72: Third Ward and citywide
73-76, 77-80
1970-73: Fourth Ward and mayor
74-77, 78-81
Do you think political power struggles have taken away from attention to governance?
--Bernice
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteThe worst part is that the Democrats OWN the City of Plainfield and we have seen the results of their stewardship. They pound the bully pulpit about national affairs and our "Evil" Republican Governor, but yet can't deliver the smallest of positive changes for the residents of the city. Their infighting ( and I'm no fan of that hot mess of a Mayor but it existed before she was anointed by Jerry ) has done nothing to move this city forward. You look at all the growth and improvements in the communities surrounding us and all you have is the same clowns from the same party with their hands up in the air saying, " What are we supposed to do ??? " or worse yet..the poster boy for apathy Bill Reid telling people to move if they don't like it..
Remove the party system out of the elections and expand the # of wards. The system in Plainfield is broken.
It is an interesting concept to have all the terms expire at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIf a mayoral candidate ran with a council slate and won, they would govern with more of a parliamentary type system. One would think that more would get done.
Sounds like a good think if it's the Mayor you supported. Not so good if you didn't.
jim spear
What arrogance Mr Clark displays that the attempt was to suppress the black vote. If he is so concerned about the betterment of Plainfield, let him [and all those big talking rich white liberals] come move into the West End, fix up a house and be a good neighbor to the fatherless children who need to be mentored. That will make a change in town, not just shuffling Ward lines.
ReplyDeleteMr. Clark was giving his analysis of the 1970 political climate. It is a leap to hold him responsible for social ills of the time or of the present, for that matter.
DeleteTo 4:40pm - Seems to me the betterment of Plainfield in the 4th Ward should come from the people who live in the 4th Ward.
ReplyDeleteAnd the raising of children, anywhere, should be expected to be the responsibility of the parents who had them.
The children referred to by anon 4:40 aren't "fatherless". Their fathers are alive and having a good time unencumbered by any desire to raise the children they sired. How any of that can be laid on Clark is beyond understanding.
ReplyDeleteDid I miss the irony intended by the commentor?
I stand corrected. The town is so much better off with the Democratic party running things, and people being able to buy mattress as they drive by in the downtown. I wish it had happened in the 70's so people would not have wasted time by trying to save: Teppers, Georkes, Macy, the Theaters or Muhlenberg Hospital4:40
ReplyDeleteTo 7:33pm point. What was different in the 70's that made Plainfield a better town? Did the Republicans run the city? Was the education system better? If so - why?
ReplyDeleteWhat is this city missing today that it had when it was beautiful and safe?