As a resident of the Second Ward for some time now, I wonder why it is characterized so often as a haven for "rich, white liberals."
My block is dominated by apartment buildings where many people of moderate means are just getting by in these times. Behind City Hall there are several blocks of small, modest homes. The historic district just north of my street has some distinctive homes, but they tend to be conversions to multi-family dwellings owned by absentee landlords.
The point is, Second Ward residents represent just as much a spectrum as any other ward. It is not all tea parties and gala soirees over here, believe me. My neighbors have the same hopes and struggles as any other Plainfielders.
What will it take before the lingering artificial barriers among the wards and the West End/East End dichotomy fade in favor of working on issues that affect us all? If you do not live in the Second Ward but come to the Town Meeting tonight, you will not see society matrons and top-hatted millionaires. You will see people whose hearts are in the same place as yours, people who want a better city for all: A safer, cleaner, more economically viable place to live, where all have access to outstanding parks and a wide range of cultural events, and elected officials who are responsive to residents' concerns.
To start with the last, come out tonight and meet your City Council, 7 p.m. at Cook School. They all want to hear from all of you.
--Bernice
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hey Bernice I couldn't agree with you more, the 2nd Ward is a "mixed bag" of residents who have the same concerns and goals as the rest of the city - a safe place to live, good schools, and opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that that the 2nd Ward is perceived as being full of white rich liberals?
Here are some interesting factoids about the white population in the 2nd Ward.
- the 2nd Ward is 17% white.
- there is only one district out of 11 in the 2nd ward that is majority white - the ward 2, district 9 (the 2/9).
-some of the largest single family homes in the ward are in the 2/6, which includes the Hillside Historic District and the white population is just 46%.
In my own district, the 2/8, the white population is a less then 25%.
Our representative on the City Council has been elected three times by landslide majorities.
Is it that the small percentage of white people are just more vocal?
Jim Spear
Belvidere Ave
Bernice... I cannot attend ( work )..
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see more attention paid to things like... repainting crosswalks, crossing signals for those of us who actually like to walk around etc .. Even when I drive I am amazed at how crosswalks are faded to nothing or even non-existent...
There should be speed humps on West 8th.. it's a racing strip..cars routinely drive 40-50miles per hour racing for the light on Park and West 8th.
Bernice, thank you for your observation and comments. Adrian Mapp, while not Mr. Charisma, has been advocating "One Plainfield". He believes that ALL Plainfielders have the same goals for this city: A safe city where people can walk through their town or neighborhood and enjoy this wonderful community - Economic Development for a vibrant city and tax relief for its citizens - an efficiently run government that provides services for the citizens so that we, Plainfielders, know where are taxes are going.
ReplyDeleteCan you honestly say you know what you are getting for your taxes?
Bernice, I agree that all wards in Plainfield need to unite for the good of the entire city. Divison is what allows the common good to be fractured so that no one recieves all that good government could provide.
ReplyDeleteEverything in your commentary suggests that people who are society matrons and wear top hats are the antithesis of safer, cleaner, more economically viable places to live, cultural events and responsive elected officials. You portray people who have been successful as the enemy, a callous gang off brutes indifferent to the welfare of the common man. Certainly there are such people. But their also exist legions of successful people who dedicate their time, talents, and financial resources to beneficial causes. I am acquainted with a host of people "up on hill" and have not met one, regardless of political persuasion, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or religion, that is not a caring and active person relative to the improvement of the community. I don't think any of them wear top hats but some of them could afford them if they chose to. Being successful is not synonymous with evil.. Your implication that the second ward is acceptable because everyone is not affluent is an unhealthy approach to unity. Bill Kruse
ReplyDelete