"The People's Inaugural," Jan. 1, 2014 at City Hall
The Plainfield Police Benevolent Association color guard posted the colors
National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Twanda Porterfield Muslim
Mayor-elect Mapp, Amelia Mapp, Shermona Mapp Esq., Rev. Canon Leroy Lyons, Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter
The crowd braves the cold for the event
The Rev. Canon Leroy A. Lyons gives the invocation
Rev. Tracey Brown gave greetings from the council
The attentive and diverse crowd
Preparing for the Oath of Office
Shermona Mapp Esq. administers the oath to her father
Mayor Mapp addresses the people
Mayor Mapp hopes all will "work together in civility and good faith" to better the city
A bagpiper honors the new mayor
Rev. Marco Marroquin gives the benediction in English and Spanish
All are invited to Plainfield High School for "The People's Feast"
Mayor Mapp enjoys a musical tribute
Mayor Mapp dances with his wife, Amelia
Ice sculpture and one of the food offerings
Mayor Mapp greets some of his well-wishers
Metropolitan Opera singer and Plainfielder April Haines prepares to sing
Even though she was up late at the opera house on New Year's Eve, she sang "The Lord's Prayer" for the inaugural
Time for food and there was plenty for all
Eight city restaurants donated food for The People's Feast
For more photos and some videos, check David Rutherford's
blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. Lamar Mackson was also taping for PCTV. There were also numerous photographers on hand, some of whom made me realize what photo-bombing is as I tried to get shots with the itty-bitty Sony Cybershot and they moved in with their big equipment.
Don't forget: Reorganization is 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Plainfield High School!
Thanks for posting this! I had hoped to attend today, but have been under the weather (as you know).
ReplyDeleteI was there! Free Food!!!
ReplyDeleteBoring otherwise.
I hate to say it but the photo ice sculpture looks like something for a dead persons memorial with food offerings being given to the gods. Best of luck to the new administration!!
ReplyDelete@3:51pm -
ReplyDeleteWhaddaya know -I was thinking the same. It was donated by Blackberries and it was a bit chilling (pun intended).
However - I know our Mayor Mapp is going to clean up the hot mess the former mayor left so I am just gonna . . . chill.
Congratulations Mayor Mapp it's about time!
Where was the council president, and Councilwomen Greaves and Taylor? Doesn't look good.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the promise from the council president to cooperation with the mayor? Is this her idea of cooperation? Uh oh.
Hi, Bernice,
ReplyDeleteFor the benefit of the commenter at 1:52 pm, Councilwomen Greaves and Taylor were in attendance. I wrote a blog post about the support the new mayor needs from the governing body as he leads the city and does the job that the residents elected him to do--that means supporting his vision and his cabinet. In that blog post, I wrote that I was very happy, heartened, inspired, and encouraged to hear the eloquent words of support for Mayor Mapp, his administration, and our city, offered by my colleague, Councilwoman Tracey Brown, at the inaugural festivities this past Wednesday, as quoted in the Courier-News yesterday:
"Councilwoman Tracey Brown said this is 'a wonderful time in the life of Plainfield.' She urged residents to support Mapp. 'If we support him and if he does well, the city does well,' Brown said. 'If he is blessed, the city is blessed.'
In the spirit of Councilwoman Brown's supportive remarks, I agree that it is the obligation, duty, and responsibility of the council to support Mapp and, of course, the people he has named to assist him as he leads this city for the next 4 years. If we are to get a good start with a new administration, it is incumbent upon the council to maintain its legislative role and to also support the mayor as he appoints the key individuals in his cabinet whom he needs to be a successful mayor. It is not the role of the council to obstruct or prevent those cabinet picks from receiving council advise and consent. My full commentary is on my blog.
Rebecca