Dem Primary Slate: Toliver, Taylor, Eke

The Regular Democratic Organization's City Council ticket for the June 3 primary is Diane Brown Toliver for the First Ward, Gloria Taylor for the unexpired Third Ward term and Charles Eke for the Second & Third Ward at-large seat.

Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Green announced the choices Friday at a city committee meeting in the YWCA. The RDO candidates and all others must file by 4 p.m. March 31 for the primary.

Toliver is running for the seat held by William Reid since December 2007. Reid announced Tuesday that he is not seeking re-election. She described herself as a wife, mother and businessperson for the past 27 years. Her goal, she said, is "to get Plainfield moving again."

"The past always brings the future," she said. "I say to you tonight that we have to get going."

Toliver said the city needs new ratables and economic development, affordable housing and crime prevention.

"I want to bring crime down in every ward, not just the First Ward," she said. "If we stand together and work together, we can be together."

Taylor is a retired educator and widow of the late Mayor Richard L. Taylor. She described herself as a "loyal Democrat" for the past 30 or 40 years.

"I feel I am in a position to give back," she said, adding she has known Green for 30 years.

"I'm loyal to Jerry Green, but guess what? Jerry Green is loyal to me," she said."If we disagree, it will be behind closed doors. That's what good Democrats do."

She said health care is a major issue in the Third Ward and gave Mayor Adrian O. Mapp credit for "attempting to do something."

Since 2008 when Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center closed, officials have been seeking a medical use for the 17-acre hospital campus that is in the Third Ward.

She also said she would address problems arising from use of the Kenyon Avenue soccer field, which attracts large numbers of players who affect the neighborhood. As a widow and single parent, she wants to stabilize taxes and she called for a close examination of the budget to "make sure we are not having too many people doing the same thing."

But she said, "The real issue is that we've got to re-brand Plainfield." an idea she said she "stole" from Newark politician Ras Baraka.

"No one's going to change our image but us," she said.

Taylor said the city has to get beyond an "us and them" mentality, which is bringing it down.

Charles Eke will have the party line for the Second & Third Ward at-large seat held now by incumbent Councilwoman Rebecca Williams. Eke has served on the Planning Board and briefly on the City Council as an appointee. He is currently an alternate on the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority board of commissioners.

Eke said he would bring unity to the council.

"The interests of the citizens of Plainfield has to be number one," he said.

He pledged to work on more recreation and training for youth to deter crime and advocated a "mock council" for young people.

"I will stick to issues that benefit Plainfield," he said. "I will do my best."

Green also invited Williams to speak. She traced her long political involvement, organizing campaigns for numerous council members. On the Muhlenberg issue, she said, "The people have spoken - they do not want 600 apartments."

She said she felt the current investigation of the PMUA should go through and there should be some reforms. Citing a $1 million settlement for former officials, she called it a "backroom deal" and said she was upset that workers are being impacted by it.

On crime, she said she has served as chair of the council's public safety committee and now works with the new chair, Councilwoman Tracey Brown.

"I always truly do put Plainfield first," she said.

Williams recently announced a Third Ward running mate, Charles McRae. Though they will not be on the party line on June 3, she said, "That's what primaries are for - for the people to make a choice."