As reported by Bichao, Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs and activist Carmen Salavarrieta are publicizing the program, which is operated through "Angels for Action." While Salavarrieta was not a member of the failed Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs, she was identified by Assemblyman Jerry Green as being "involved" with it:
"Mrs. Salavarrieta is not a member of the committee. The Mayor just asked her if she would be involved due to her experience in dealing with similar issues. Mr. Ortega agreed that she would be a great asset."
Norman Ortega identified himself at the time as the founder of Angels in Action Foundation (since supplanted by the 501(c)3 Angels for Action Inc.) and was a member of the commission, along with another Angels in Action member. The long-awaited commission soon became controversial, as comments on this post show, and it faded away, never to be reconstituted.
Although she is not a city resident, Salavarrieta remains a political figure in Plainfield. I think one can legitimately ask why, now that Plainfield has a 40 percent Hispanic population, politicians must rely on a non-resident for advice on how to address the needs of this demographic. The sale of "community" photo IDs through Salavarrieta's Angels For Action makes one wonder whether the recipients of these cards are unknowingly being identified for political purposes as well as for practical reasons.
The ID appears to be redundant, if one already has the documents described in a pitch for the card: "A formal protocol is used to confirm identity and domicile. Examples of combined
documents required to obtain the Community ID Card are: passport, driver’s license,
or consular card, AND a lease, or utility/phone bill."
Recipients are assured that "To address any privacy and confidentiality concerns, none of the personal data will be retained in digital or paper form. All cardholder information will be erased once
the card is issued."
Still, by applying at the Angels for Action office, recipients make themselves known to Salavarrieta or her staff. If there is any thought of political organizing for local candidates, it should be disclosed along with the stated purposes of the program.
--Bernice
This did not come before the city council, and has never come up in my public safety discussions with Dir. Hellwig. When I came on the council in 2011, I attempted to meet with PACHA (the Hispanic Affairs Commission) and to liaise with its members--many of the terms had expired, and the meetings were not published and had not been held in accordance with our ordinances. Several members had resigned, and the mayor never put up new names for appointment. This subject would have been a natural for the commission to explore.
ReplyDeleteAs it is in this instance, the idea of handing out "ID cards" that CANNOT be used as "identification" is absurd. 800 cards at $10 a pop sounds like $8,000. I cannot imagine that banks, medical facilities, etc., would accept this card as a form of ID. If this non-city agency can create its own cards without the imprimatur of the city--frankly without even the knowledge of the governing body--what is to stop any other organization from making up a similar card? If an individual needs a passport or utility bill to get the card, that individual can go and get a non-government issued ID card from numerous places. It doesn't make sense and concerns about who is holding the personal information and possible identity theft (among other things) makes this an irresponsible way for any organization to proceed, especially if they are purporting to "help."
Rebecca
This council has done nothing for the Latino community so who cares what they think about the community ID idea? A similar card is in use in Trenton and Princeton - yes, that Princeton. Why doesn't a council person liaise with a peer or law enforcement official down there to see what their thinking was before dismissing the idea up here.
ReplyDeleteI question whether anyone can get any useful "non-government issued ID card from numerous places". Even if true, why should that preclude getting one from Angels in Action?
As far as AIA getting names for possible political purposes I say more power to them! Let them use whatever means they can to get some real power in an environment where nobody is going to give it to them without a long, ugly fight.
I thought Democrats were against Voter Id's, but this is okay? Enlighten me ....
ReplyDeleteA It's not a "voter" ID. If those who needed a community ID were voters they'd be citizens , and if they were citizens...well, you figure it out.
DeleteB Only kneejerk democrats are against all voter IDs.
C This ID or things like it are meant to bring some kind of order to the interface between government, health and commerce and the thousands of people living in Plainfield without documentation, ie illegals, unauthorized. It's not in any way perfect but it's a start.
I am sick and tired of the poor unfortunate, under represented Latino,s. If they want representation....then they should do what everyone else has to do....VOTE.!!!
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