Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Mayoral Candidates Share Views At NAACP Forum


Mayoral candidates D. Scott Belin, Adrian Mapp, Mustapha Muhammad and Sandy Spector fielded questions Sunday on crime, the city's image and finances and the Muhlenberg property before an audience of 75 residents at the annual NAACP candidates' forum. 

Spector heads the local Republican committee and is the only female candidate. Mapp, a Democrat, serves on the City Council and was a Union County freeholder. Belin, chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Muhammad, a community activist, are independents. One of the four will emerge as mayor in the Nov. 5 general election, which will also decide who represents the 4th Ward and which three of six school board candidates will serve, all taking office on Jan. 1, 2014. 

On Muhlenberg: All agreed the city needs a health care facility of some sort since Muhlenberg regional Medical Center closed five years ago. JFK Health Systems has proposed an upgraded emergency room along with 600 residential units on the site. Spector said the city should not be "held for ransom" by such a deal and awaits results of a city-sponsored study on best uses for the 17-acre campus. Mapp suggested a "medical enterprise zone"  that would offer benefits to practitioners and resemble the Summit Medical Group, saying an emergency room alone is not enough. The JFK apartment project is "not in the best interest of the city," he said.

Muhammad warned against "party politics" in finding a solution for what he saw as a nationwide issue on hospitals and approved the study, saying "information is power." Belin agreed that 600 new apartments is not a good plan for Plainfield and endorsed a Summit-style "medical mall" with a 24-hour care component.

On crime: Answering the question on how to curb crime without adding more police officers, Mapp called for "the right leadership." (The city has had a police director since the title of police chief was abolished in 2008.)  Mapp also suggested more walking "beat cops" and better technology, including surveillance cameras in more locations than just downtown. Muhammad recalled the days when officers lived in the community and "knew our parents." He also saw a need for different leadership. Belin said "the mayor alone" can't bring back the chief of police, but as mayor he would work with the City Council to do so. He said more police on the street as well as increased traffic patrols would make the city safer.

"Turn the lights on - brighten up the night," he advised, "so we can see things before they happen."

Spector deplored having a police director who not only lives outside the city, but does not even live in the state. She said the city should "go back to the system we had ten years ago."

On the city's image: Spector said an improved school system, much safer streets and more industry, achieved through "hard work and diligence,"  would result in "not the Queen City of 50 years ago, but the Queen City of the new millennium." Mapp said the city must have "zero tolerance for things we see happening on a daily basis," especially among young people. He said he would work on "recasting the image of Plainfield" through advertising and other promotion. Muhammad said the city does have a very negative image, but saw it as "by design" to disenfranchise and gentrify the people. Having lived in Plainfield for over 50 years, he said, he believes if there were more youth opportunities, people would make much more "wholesome choices" and the city's image would change. Belin said electing him, an "educated, qualified, homegrown, positive mayor" instead of voting the party line would improve the city's image, though he said people know the city for its beautiful homes and do not hold a negative image.

On improving the city's bond rating: Belin said the city must reduce debt and look for ways to fuel revenues by spuring economic development and showing that "Plainfield is ready to do business." Muhammad suggested reviewing audit reports for the last four years, but said Plainfield is not doing badly as far as business is concerned. The problem is creating an environment to attract the kind of business that would change Plainfield, he said, warning of "hidden powers, hidden hands" that manipulate conditions.

"Plainfield business is not in the red, it is in the black," and bound to go up, he said.

Mapp said those who give bond ratings look for "warning trends" such as the tax collection rate and debt as a percentage of the budget. He said he intends to pursue a "forensic audit." Spector said the city is "hemorrhaging money and we don't know from where." City entities need to sit down together and "all need to put their cards on the table." She said the city needs the prestige of a good bond rating in order to attract business.

On the budget: Spector called the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority, which provides solid waste and sewer services to the city,  a "cash cow" that should be tapped even though it "has the protections of an authority." Mapp said under the city charter, the mayor is responsible for the budget, "but it is a collaborative process" with the governing body. He said of the PMUA "there is too much fat in that organization" and said he wants homeowners to receive one bill from the PMUA as part of the tax bill.
Muhammad said the bottom line is transparency and accountability and called for sacrifice across the board. Belin said in the budget process the mayor presents the budget and it goes to the council, but the mayor needs to present a budget that is "even."

On how long it will take to name appointees: Belin said if he wins he will start a transition in which some current administrators may stay. he said he brings no gripes about Regular Democrats or New Democrats, so it should be a smooth decision. Muhammad said he has a campaign team that is already working on "exploratory outreach" and he has started vetting a team with a view toward selecting people with Plainfield's interests at heart. He said he hoped it would happen "sooner rather than later" and invoked his slogan, "Plainfield's new beginning." Spector said she has already spoken to people regarding the process, not specific people. She said she would start the process on Nov. 6 and will present 'quality persons" who will be "well-vetted" with the residents' best interests at heart. Alluding to a high turnover in the present administration, she said she will aim for "not a revolving door" but those who will serve the four full years of her term. Mapp said he will start immediately after the election to have a new government to begin on Jan. 1. He said he wants to be able to present a slate at the annual reorganization. (The mayor seeks advice and consent from the council for city administrator, three department heads, chief financial officer, corporation counsel and other titles, concurrent with his or her four-year term.)

In closing remarks, Spector called for voters to "step out from under the machine" and "bring everybody to the table." Mapp promised to surround himself with "decent, qualified people" and said his leadership style is to "make people feel they are part of the administration." Muhammad said "leadership means everything in this case" and said the mayoralty is a "full-time job, 24/7." Belin said much of what was said at the forum imitated what is on his campaign website and concluded, "I am the best candidate to take Plainfield into the future. I am the best candidate to negotiate for Plainfield."

Peter Briggs, president of the Plainfield Area NAACP and husband of present two-term Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, ended the session with a call for prayer for the families of the candidates.

"Nobody knows what it's like to be in public office," he said. "It really takes a toll on everybody."

 Voters can learn more about the candidates at their websites and also at the Plainfield League of Women Voters candidates' forum on Wednesday (Oct. 30), 6:30 p.m. at Emerson School. View the League website  here.

Candidate website links:


19 comments:

  1. Referring obliquely to the increased Latino population, Mr. Muhammad said African-Americans once made up 80 or 90 percent of the population but now account for 50 percent, a trend that needs to stop. He also said Plainfield is becoming gentrified, which implies displacement, but I don't see that. At both forums to date, other candidates were content to address the audience during the opening and closing remarks from their seats, but Mr. Muhammad seems to prefer standing so he can talk down to the audience. There's a tone of divisiveness to the candidate that will not work if improving our lot is the goal. He has also gained some support from those still bitter about the incumbent mayor's defeat in the June primary. A tangential lesson to be learned is Assemblyman Jerry Green, in his roles as both City and now County Democratic Committee Chairman, ought to engage a more open nomination and selection process.

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    1. Yes, there definitely is no gentrification in Plainfield. There are those that seek that there be gentrification of some sort, and that's a different issue. But as of now, people have not been displaced by newcomers with capital.

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    2. Muhammad deals with fear.

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  2. Adrian Mapp also sounded wholly imbedded into the surveillance state as he demanded that cameras be installed all around our city. He even said that Big Brother gets a bad name than it deserves. Big Brother is great, according to Mapp, who said "when did your big brother do anything bad to you?"

    Let's put cameras all around Plainfield - so that even when there is no serious crime, we can CREATE crime by catching minor ones, and throw more of our young men and women in prison. We all know that's the end result, whether it's Mr Mapp's intentions or not.

    Bravo Mr Mapp.

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    1. Not sure what you disagree with. Do you think cameras are bad? Sounds like you are a bit paranoid. They used cameras to help clean up 42nd street. Don't you wonder why NY can clean up 42nd street, but Plainfield can't clean up 4 blocks?

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  3. I am really sorry, that as a citizen, I was unable to make the NAACP forum on Sunday, and unable to make the league of Women’s Voters forum on Wednesday, my work schedule is very hectic this week. (I work in the medical field) I drove past D. Scott Belin’s campaign office and saw a sign that he is having a Meeting the Candidate which is open to the community on this Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 or 8:30 p.m. I want to know more about him as I am sure other residents do, so I plan to attend and ask him questions. Do you know if any of the other candidates are doing anything similar, I would consider attending?

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    1. I don't know of any others, but you might check their websites.

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  4. In my opinion D.Scott Belin is the best candidate for mayor. I attended the NAACP Forum and Mr.Belin had a clearer response to the financial question than Mr.Mapp and he is the finance guy. Mr. Belin also kept the forun on track and was the only candidate to not go over time, was the most Mayoral in presence. Mr.Belin also have more work experience than the other candidates and a lifetime Plainfield resident, i think he is the most personable, approachable candidate.

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  5. I attended the NAACP Forum and Mr.D.Scott Belin is the best candidate for Mayor.

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  6. Please vote for a Mayor that will Put Plainfield First and his name is D Scott Belin. You got my vote.

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  7. Anonymous Oct.29, 2013 at 10:55am
    I agree with you 100% Mr. Belin is the best candidate for Mayor. I also attended the NAACP Forum and I honestly believe Mr. Belin will Keep his word and Put Plainfield First. Mr. Belin got my vote and I will tell my friends. Great Job at the NAACP Forum.

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  8. When did the apartments turn into a hotel and is that the plan Mr. Belin supports?

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  9. This is the type of innovative thinking we need to restore Plainfield back to the Queen City, as we move into the Future. Mr. Belin you have my VOTE! We the citizens of Plainfield need to know are Leadership have a plan and not just words for our Community.

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  10. Trenton has a hotel it's been dumping money into and it's in bankruptcy. With all due respects to our potential for a quality future, just what tourist attractions or nearby corporations are there that would attract out-of-town visitors and warrant a hotel? Someone please point out who would come. Anyway you look at it, Muhlenberg is a field of dreams and some of the dreams are just that, dreaming.

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  11. To 11:05am:

    Just as a single reference for you, the PGA tour has hosted and will be hosting a golf tournament at a little course just outside of Plainfield but within walking distance of that little hotel spot. With a hotel there players and PGA staff would be able to stay extremely close to the venue. There also just may be the opportunity to provide a golf getaway adventure for the golfing fanatic, where they could come a play and stay at a professional course venue.

    Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream as well, one day more people will see that dreams can come true. Way too many anonymous critics....pessimist or optimist, you decide.

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    1. Thanks for reminding me. I remember now. There was a PGA golf tournament there a few years ago that was mostly washed out by bad weather. That's why most tournaments are in warmer climes, and if a golf vacation is wanted most people head south or west. Even if a tournament were to be held annually we're only talking about maybe Wednesday-Sunday once a year. A hotel is a big investment to make if it won't be utilized on a regular basis. Better than apartments, yes. Better than townhouses, maybe. Better than single family homes, no and a medical facility, no way. But ya never know. Maybe it will fly, but I'm not so sure.

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    2. And in your pessimistic view again you see no potential, although I see you do have some optimism in your medical mall view....wonder why that is, who is bootstrapping. I see plenty of positives in a medical mall, but unlike yourself I don't dismiss other positive ideas that may be lurking in our quaint environment.

      Just as another thought, I know of at least one possibly two tennis tournaments that are held at a nearby tennis court that attract visitors from around the state. Having a facility nearby may offer them the opportunity to stay nearby to the facility, change and shower and have a banquet ceremony close by afterwards.

      Speaking of optimists, how about a combination hotel and long care medical facility that will enable people visiting patients a place to spend a night or two nearby to loved ones.

      Nevermind you are right, just say no it will never work and call it quits.....i'm just saying.

      PB

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    3. As an aside, golf tournaments are held in Canada, Minnesota, Michigan, Chicago, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Vermont....the reference to warmer climates is not a WHY. Bad weather can happen anywhere and especially the washout (just a little hurricane) that you refer to, crazy thing is....this years tourney held only about 25 minutes away produced some of the best golf weather imaginable. Take heed from a golfer, if someone would travel to a places like Arizona, Ireland or Minnesota where the weather is unpredictable for a golf getaway, they will travel for the love a great course.

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  12. One position regardless if your Democrat, Republican, or Independent the Citizens of Plainfield do agree, turning the former Muhlenberg hospital campus into 600 units of apartments is not in the best interest of our. Sounds to me, D.Scott Belin is saying to Plainfield… We Have Choices! A hotel, with a large conference and banquet facility is an option to consider. A hotel will bring money and jobs in our community. Last week the Democratic Party hosted a rally at venue located 4 to 5 cities outside of the Plainfield city limits. Let’s explore the thought, the next rally or conference of this kind could very well take place within our city. Families, Individuals, Churches, and Groups could possible have a choice to market their event by hosting them at a venue in our city. Let’s not forget another important issue; D. Scott Belin supports our city having a super medical facility for the residents of Plainfield.



    Sounds to me D. Scott Belin Independent candidacy offers the citizens of Plainfield something we have not had in years…”Choice” I don’t know about anyone else, but it is becoming embarrassing watching the cities elected official argue issues in the media. D. Scott Belin offers the citizen an opportunity for all parties to work together to build an improved Plainfield with a good quality of life. Trenton which is a far bigger city than Plainfield has its won set of problems and issues to work through. Perhaps Trenton needs a candidate like D. Scott Belin running for Mayor.


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