Screen grab from Facebook page for Plainfield Youth-Summit
A routine budget meeting turned lively when members of a youth group got up to comment, chiding elders for faults including not using social media to build interest in recreation programs.
It was the second public meeting this week for the group and members plan to be out in force for tonight's mayoral candidates' forum as well. The forum is 7 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library.
Tuesday's budget meeting featured the Department of Public Works & Urban Development, which includes Public Works, Inspections, Economic Development and Recreation divisions. Department Director Eric Jackson and the division heads presented their 2013 budgets to the City Council and the Citizens Budget Advisory Board before the floor was opened for public comment and the youths had their say. Isaiah Thompson wanted to know why the Plainfield golf team can't use Milt Campbell Field, while another member said the Economic Development presentation didn't answer the committee's questions. To attract more participation in Recreation programs, youth group members advised use of Facebook and Twitter and were incredulous that outdated information on the city web site was not quickly corrected.
Jackson listened carefully to all their comments and invited further discussion after the meeting.
Public Works, Economic Development and Inspections all presented "flat budgets" with no major changes. Jackson asked for two new positions in Recreation, which he said now has a superintendent and secretarial assistant along with "a host of seasonal workers." He suggested adding a "recreation specialist" and a clerk, offsetting their salaries by reducing the number of seasonal workers.
The Recreation Division was embroiled for the past couple years in controversy over a volunteer-based baseball league that sought use of city fields. Former Superintendent Dave Wynn left the post last year and Jackson said this year the city baseball league and the other one are working cooperatively, but characterized the division as "fractured" in asking for the additional staff.
Budget committee members asked why only a few hundred city children were served by the program and Jackson said, "We have a problem in Plainfield getting information out."
Jackson said the department plans to increase contact with civic associations and churches to publicize the programs.
Among innovations for 2013, Public Works Superintendent John Louise said the city plans to use a "salt brine" method of snow and ice removal. By coating streets in advance of a storm, the division can save manpower. The division will also use a "pothole killer" truck that can be operated by one man.
Inspections may come in for increased fees in order to become self-sustaining and there will be a greater effort to share information with other city health and safety agencies. Economic Development is working on a business registration program and is exploring an innovative Wharton School approach to get new owners for foreclosed properties.
Budget deliberations continue at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Plainfield Public Library, with the Department of Administration, Finance, Health and Social Services up for review.
--Bernice
Only in Plainfield at the height of the information overload age would "getting information" out be a problem.. lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are parts of this city government that would have a problem lighting a match in a forest fire.
Who is the Superintendent of Recreation. There is a blank on the City site.
ReplyDeleteThe position is vacant since Dave Wynn left. Cynthia Smith is acting head of the division.
DeleteShe is as unqualified for that position as is the Mayor for hers
ReplyDeleteOMG, Cynthia Smith? what in the world is going on over there? When will this City get rid of all the drift wood and really make operations lean and mean. They got rid of the folks that worked hard and kept all the folks that steal time, sit around all day and twittle their thumbs, order theater tickets, shop online and then collect a big fat pay check for showing up. I can't wait to see the big raises they give these people in the new budget. Plainfield need to get rid of the state mandated program so they can get rid of the people that's been sitting on their butts stealing from this City for 20 or more years and replace them with educated, hard working, ethical citizens that will take pride in seeing this City prosper. Mr. Mapp, when you are elected, you need to put a stop to employees stealing by taking vac and sick time and not coding it.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah Thompson if you and organization is based out Plainfield for Plainfield Bring it the council meeting and everyone can see that it just isn't baseball the Mayor and Recreation is messing with! Good Luck to you and your future endeavors!
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