Don't haul your lawn chairs down to Front Street Friday for the 91st Central Jersey July 4 Celebration, unless you plan to stay overnight. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday and the fireworks will start at dusk Saturday in Cedar Brook Park.
Old-timers may remember when the "Central Jersey" part referred to a joint effort by eight or nine municipalities to organize and fund the celebration. A committee worked year-round to make the arrangements. All their terms expired in 1993 and although legislation passed in 2006 to establish an all-Plainfield committee, no members were ever named. I'm told that may change for 2015, ending the practice of ad hoc planning for the event and a bit of mystery about the costs involved.
The city has budgeted $52,400 for the event this year. In 2012, a request for details of the costs did not get a response until January 2013. But as noted in this post, the issue of cost disclosure went back to 2006.
The issue of costs came up also when a contribution from Investors Savings Bank for the event in 2010 was apparently diverted to a controversial "Town Hall" radio show featuring Rev Al Sharpton.
All in all, the celebration is overdue for some rigorous planning with full disclosure of costs and it seems that will be the way it goes next year. The reason given in the past for not holding the event on July 4th was extra pay for employees. Maybe an analysis can pinpoint the difference and adjustments can be made so that the 92nd Central Jersey July 4 Celebration will be on July 4.
--Bernice
Its a damn shame that this year the community wont enjoy a concert in the park. The administration presented a resolution with a higher bid for the concert to the council and they said no. Because of this the administration canceled the concert. How petty? The community always look forward to the concert. For the first time in years there is none. A selfish administration? Yes, one that cares nothing for the people.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was moved to September. Is this really worth a blanket condemnation of the administration or is somebody having sour grapes?
Deleteif only this administration was more worried about plates of cookies and cake for all the people at the drop of a hat... I too believe that sugary gratuities and fake smiles are far more important that fiscal responsibility, long term growth and proper planning for the city's future !! Here's to decadence and all it's false hopes and promises !!!
DeleteLET THEM EAT CAKE !!
Wake up black people if the concert was a fiesta approval no problem
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 10:17 PM was given the absolutely wrong facts--it is unfortunate that she has chosen to spread the misinformation rather than await the facts. The concert has been moved to later in the summer so as to not drain all the resources of the small staff, as well as that of Public Works and the PPD. In addition, because the city council failed to approve the contract at the May meeting, there would not have been enough time anyway.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that the Superintendent of Recreation only came on board in late April, and the resolution regarding a concert was first presented in May.
The May resolution was PASSED UNANIMOUSLY by the council, but then RESCINDED after a previous vendor and the former mayor came and complained that he (the previous vendor) wasn't chosen--unconscionable!
Unbelievably, the council president then brought the resolution BACK to the table, and then--unbelievably--voted AGAINST it! I voted in favor of the resolution, by the way. There will be a concert--but there is now time for planning.
Rebecca
Once again a bunch of malarkey
ReplyDeleteThe concert was not cancelled because of the City Council The administration tried to bring in one of their vendors to do the concert whoms bid was extremely high and they were not the lowest bidder. I was there when the city administrator tried to justify it. Rebecca is a very angry person she constantly spreads lies. Lets face it this administration in 7 months is a failure. No I am not a Mayor Robinsons Briggs fan I once was a Mayor Mapp fan but he is very disappointing. I have taken my children to the concert in the park every year then we watched the fire works as a family what a disgrace. Shame on this administration.
ReplyDeleteThe "not-so-anonymous" individual at 8:54 am continues to make up stories. I know that she was there, because I know who she is. Her continuing poor grammar doesn't lie--not in emails and not here. Frankly, since the costs were below the bid threshold, the city didn't even need to bring this before the council--it did so to ensure transparency. In any case, of the 3 required quotes, the vendor that was selected is a Plainfield-based company (as opposed to who "anonymous" and the mayor wanted) and it was absolutely not an "extremely high bid"--again, it was not a "bid"--it was a quote. For items below the bid threshold, the administration is under no obligation to choose who certain members of the council and the previous administration want to give contracts to. However, the council is entitled to see all contracts.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am actually a very happy person who is committed to the truth--unlike anonymous at 8:54 am. :D
Rebecca
Rebecca I am very glad you know who I am because I know who you are. Yes I was at the meeting and as always you try to lie on the council. I say to the council member's keep your head up it's only a matter of time before this administration fall flat on their face. The people always talk about the past administration this administration is worst than I have seen in a very very very long time. I have been coming to the meeting since the late Mayor McWilliams and I must sya he wasn't the best but he was far better than this. I am anon 8:54 and I will not go away. As far a The miserable Rebecca Williams I will defiantly be VOTING for your REPUBLICAN OPPONET. You should not be an elected official with all of this anger you have inside.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:54 and 2:26 - Your main and perhaps sole mission seems to be to characterize Rebecca negatively rather than to add to any discussion. Therefore be aware that your comments may be rejected as they add nothing to the issue at hand.
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