Between April 15 and 30, there were 13 public meetings.
Ordinarily, the only scheduled meetings would have been the regular City Council meeting, the Planning Board and the Historic Preservation Commission. But the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority held a special meeting, there were five budget deliberation sessions, three meetings to gather comments for the city's Muhlenberg study and an urgent meeting on the Liberty Village issues. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp set a press conference for his 100-day report, but canceled it in light of all the other meetings.
Many residents attended multiple meetings. I made nine of them, with an Arbor Day celebration and the opening of the Shakespeare Garden thrown in for good measure. Most meetings were captured on PCTV, so others probably logged several hours watching the action on television or YouTube.
After all that, interested residents faced a choice on May 5 between a council meeting and a Town Hall featuring Rep. Rush Holt. At a special meeting preceding the council's agenda-fixing session, the contentious issue of the Liberty Village "payment in lieu of taxes" plan was resolved, warding off the possible loss of subsidized housing in 96 residential units.
I hope everyone is shaking off the tension caused by trying to participate in all these meetings. It's a good time to get out for some gardening, hiking, shopping or whatever else you enjoy in Spring. If you devoted time to these important civic matters in April, you deserve a break now. (My sympathies to those who are on the campaign trail or supporting candidates in pre-primary activities for the June 3 election - your break will come later.)
--Bernice
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I just received a call from a "Push Poll". I have no opinion on Mayor's Mapp's performance so far, but I wonder who is responsible for the "Push Poll" call that I received. They seemed to want to highlight that Mayor Mapp is proposing $1.0M increases in spending to hire his friends. As with most "Push Poll" the opening questions seem legitimate, but then the questions are pushing a particular point of view. The pollster was not trained well as she could not pronounce many of the names correctly and while reading the questions she stumbled often. I resent who ordered this "Push Poll"
ReplyDeleteJust got off the phone with the pollsters. After answering the questions, some straightforward and some misleading, I told the caller she was doing the devil's deed. Did Cory Booker actually endorse Charles Eke and Gloria Taylor? If so, which I highly doubt, he would be no better than that carpetbagger Al Sharpton coming into town to endorse Sharon Robinson-Briggs and her legacy of malfeasance and ineptitude. What a disgrace! Someone is working overtime to screw this city. Any guesses who that might be? Don't bother answering, we know who is footing the bill.
ReplyDeleteThere was no greeting from the phone I received. After I said hello a number of time someone asked "Are you a registered voter/" When I asked who they worked for or what candidate do you represent they hung up. I called back the local number, but no one answered. I have to do a search on the number.
ReplyDeleteAlan, Get a life no one pays you any attention. When ever you stand up to the mike at a council meeting, or PMUA meeting does it ever make a difference. Don't bother anwering , we know who you speak for, hypocrite.
ReplyDeleteYour format makes your comments' origin rather obvious.
DeleteBernice, Why would you print Ass Jerry, but not racist Alan.
ReplyDeletePlainfield Civic Friends: I like a fight as much as anyone else does. After all, I grew up in Plainfield, and my late husband taught me the mantra (contradiction in terms) "Fight, you buggars, I hate peace." This primary seems to be bringing out our nastiest, maybe only on the blogs, but I'm guessing elsewhere..
ReplyDeletePLEASE COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION, LET'S MOVE PLAINFIELD FORWARD. GET US SOME DEVELOPMENT TO OFFSET OUR PROPERTY TAXES, AND EDUCATE OUR KIDS TO QUOTE A CLICHE, THOSE KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE,