In one voice, 50 members of the Democratic City Committee approved three nominees Friday to succeed Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp in the Third Ward City Council seat.
They are former Third Ward Councilman Don Davis, veteran Democratic campaigner and community activist Roni Taylor and retired principal Gloria Taylor, widow of the late Mayor Richard L. Taylor. Their names will be presented to the City Council at a special meeting Monday for a vote to select one as appointee to serve until the Nov. 4, 2014 general election. The seat for the balance of the term to Dec. 31, 2016 will be on the November ballot along with the First Ward and the Second & Third Ward at-large seats.
Each candidate addressed the committee before the vote.
Davis stressed his prior service as a councilman and mentioned as an accomplishment a shared services agreement with the Plainfield Board of Education.
Davis pledged loyalty to the city and its residents, saying, "I will always be here and never let you down."
Alluding to her late husband's maxim that a mayor must be able to "count those votes" on the council to get measures passed, she said, "I have no agendas" and would listen to the citizenry.
Before the vote to adopt the slate of three, Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Green said anyone with objections could change it if they had 26 votes. The committee approved the names unanimously.
Green called on the mayor-elect to speak.
Mapp described plans for his "People's Inaugural" on Jan. 1, which will include ceremonies at City Hall and then a move to Plainfield High School for a feast. The procession will be accompanied by a bagpiper and music at the feast will include a Latino band, jazz, rhythm and blues and steel pan.
Later in the meeting, committee member James Spear objected to seeing the three names on a blog before the meeting and asked how the names were released. Green said the candidates were the only ones who showed interest and quipped, "You have a blogger who knows things before I do," referring to Dan Damon.
Green then launched into a speech about his many obligations as both Union County and Plainfield committee chair in addition to representing District 22 in the state Assembly, and said he was not going to be a "'referee," as he has to deal with 500 mayors.
Spear persisted, asking why Green called out the committee when the names had already been published.
Green said again Spear could have run for the slate if he could "count to 26" and finished by opining, "In this city the grapevine is stronger than the newspapers."
--Bernice
Hi Bernice, I wrote this comment on Dan Damon's blog in response to his post where he leaked out the names of the three candidates that Chairman Jerry Green chose to fill the 3rd ward council seat. Apparently he won't post my comment. Will you consider posting it? jim spear
ReplyDeleteDan,
So much for surprises ! So much for a Latino. . .
Why would anyone (committee members) attend now that you have leaked it out. And you practically eliminated one of the three candidates with your off the cuff comment about him.
Dan - do you now have a conflict of interest reporting on such matters?
I guess I will stay home. . . .
I don't know if Dan "leaked" anything, as the three voted on last night were making calls about the up coming meeting and they let the cat out. That's the way it usually goes in Plainfield, which is more like a small town then new spreads.
ReplyDeleteJim, To echo 10:17am, I received a call from Don Davis about 2 weeks ago asking me to vote as one of the three potential committee members. He told me the two others.
ReplyDeleteI agree a Latino would be a good choice. Perhaps a Latino will run in the November election. If they want the line, however, they will have to get 26 of the DCC to vote for them.
While your position has merit, I thought you would know by now that there is nothing democratic in the Democratic City Committee.
I agree with Jim. Neither the "New" or "Regular" Democrats appointed a Latino.
ReplyDeleteTo 12:30 the Democratic Party is not required to be democratic on whom it chooses. It is a political party. Not a governmental agency.
I agree a Latinos should be better represented. Where are they? As Jim said, I don't think a Latino should be nominated just because they are Latino, so where are they?
DeleteOh no...Those are three really bad choices. In the last few years, the IQ of the Council has dropped by about 85 points.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Mr. Slimey Ass. Jerry Green gives someone the line that person will win. Ass. Green can put that lovable lil cartoon character, which has been written in on many ballots across the nation, Mickey Mouse on the line and he will finally win in the City of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteOn second thought Mickey Mouse would probably be a better choice than Vera Greaves, Bridget Rivers and Rev Tracy Brown. At least Mickey is well loved and well watched.
And regarding a Latino/Hispanic- Bring him or her on! The.only independent outspoken wellspoken candidate would be Mr. Christian Estevez and I don't believe he is interested otherwise I would believe he would come forward. If Mr. Spears knows of someone then work a campaign for that candidate and stop acting like elections are fair in Plainfield.
I wish Plainfield would VOTE SMART!
Remaining Anonymous Thank You.
The only active councilpersons I have seen walking all of the streets of Plainfield are Mapp and Williams. They knocked on my door and my neighbors during Irene, the snowstorm after Irene and Sandy. They were earning their council salary, it wasn't during elections, but more importantly it was not in their wards. I am in the First Ward and I have never seen Rivers, Greaves, Reid, and Rev. Brown. Rev. Tracy Brown only helps those of her church, which is totally unfair to Plainfield at Large.
ReplyDeleteDavis and former Mayor Taylor's wife. Really Mr. Green could you have not done better. These two are clowns. Don Davis should continue to sell his vaccums and the principal should just retire and go away.
ReplyDelete@11:44am - I agree Davis and Taylor should not serve on the council, but they do have the right to run for council. And as far as Mr. Green is concerned -he wants someone who will do as he says even if it means bringing down Plainfield. Just look at Vera Greaves, Bill Reid, Brigette Rivers and Reverend Tracy Brown. I will also say, Davis comes with unwanted luggage and I haven't heard of or from Mrs. Former First Lady Taylor. But, I wouldn't call them "clowns". They just would not get my vote.
ReplyDeleteNo big fan of clergy in politics,but what was said about Rev. Brown only caring about her church is so far from the truth.They recently fed over 450 for Thanksgiving, last week she had her bus driver pick up guest from the YMCA and Park Hotel for Christmas dinner on Christmas day.They provide funerals for free for people throughout the city.She has a heart of Gold, yes she looks uncomfortable on city council,but would give you the shirt off her back.Who ever wrote that most likely don't know her and probably does nothing for Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteI can not believe what mean directed comments are being made by persons willing to serve on the Council !! Now I know why those with a good heart are reluctant to step forward.
ReplyDelete