Having been ill with one thing or another for two weeks now, I doubt I can venture out to the reorganization tonight. There should be lots of coverage, between PCTV and other bloggers and maybe even the print media.
Besides selection of a council president and chairman of the whole, the major decisions will be those regarding Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's cabinet. Here is a score card based on proposed nominations. These are for the full four-year term, concurrent with the mayor's, even though some have already been on the job in acting capacity. the nominations of Riley, Sanchez and El-Amin are new items, meaning the resolutions first have to be approved by a council vote. The new items come in close to the end of the meeting. Those with resolutions on the regular agenda are Smiley, West, Jackson, Minchello, Jalloh and Sherry
Besides selection of a council president and chairman of the whole, the major decisions will be those regarding Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's cabinet. Here is a score card based on proposed nominations. These are for the full four-year term, concurrent with the mayor's, even though some have already been on the job in acting capacity. the nominations of Riley, Sanchez and El-Amin are new items, meaning the resolutions first have to be approved by a council vote. The new items come in close to the end of the meeting. Those with resolutions on the regular agenda are Smiley, West, Jackson, Minchello, Jalloh and Sherry
Cabinet
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City administrator
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Rick Smiley
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Dir., PA&S
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Siddeeq El-Amin
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Dir., AFH&SS
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Ron West
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Dir., PW&UD
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Eric Jackson
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Deputy City Administrator
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Carlos Sanchez
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City Clerk
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Abubakar Jalloh
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Police Director
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Carl Riley
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Treasurer
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Diane Sherry
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Corporation Counsel
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David Minchello
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While there are numerous appointments for Municipal Court judges, prosecutors and public defenders, the new items include the nomination of Joy R. Spriggs, Esq. as public defender. As previously covered by Plaintalker, family and friends beseeched the mayor to keep her on in 2014 due to her need for health care for her husband. As noted above, a new item must first be moved to the agenda by a council vote before action can be taken on it.
Public comment is sure to add drama to the reorganization. The public may comment on resolutions before the council votes on them, and at the end of the meeting people may speak on any topic.
The position of chief of staff was created by ordinance and a salary band was established, but it is a direct mayoral appointment and does not require council advice and consent. There is somewhat of a precedent for such support staff in the title of "confidential aide," created in 2006. Two individuals were hired, one to serve the former mayor and one to serve the city administrator. Both individuals had been aides to Assemblyman Jerry Green.
If you go to the reorganization, be aware of the weather forecast for a rapid fall from the mid-forties to close to zero. Be careful! No doubt you can see it on PCTV if you have reasons not to go out in the cold.
Annual Reorganization
Plainfield High School Auditorium
5 p.m. closed session
6 p.m. Reorganization
Personal aides? I trust that with the addition of a Chief of Staff that the superfluous, and conspicuously unwarranted positions of "Personal Aides" will be relegated to the category of Sins of Christmas's past. I am hopeful that having added to the payroll for Chief of Staff we do not create yet another new position, that of Secretary to the Chief, to answer the Chief's phone. I further hope that the Secretary to the Mayor can handle the affairs of both these gentlemen. Bill Kruse
ReplyDeleteRON WEST? really? Don't you all remember when he was here last time, the council could never get a straight answer from hime. Ray Blanco and Don Davis both spoke out publicly asking the then Mayor to NOT re-appoint him.
ReplyDelete