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| Police Director Carl Riley and officers |
Plainfield's finest and honorees from each ward were recognized Tuesday as a large crowd gathered at City Hall to mark National Night Out 2015.
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| Elizabeth Urquhart, Rick Smiley, Diane Toliver |
The tradition of gathering to show solidarity against crime began here about 29 years ago when former Councilwoman Elizabeth Urquhart launched the first National Night Out.
Urquhart, who served four terms representing the First Ward, received a kiss Tuesday from the current First Ward Councilwoman Diane Toliver. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp recreated one of Urquhart's initiatives with a caravan through the city's four wards.
Urquhart, youth sports activist Nancy Jordan, city employee and community volunteer Rose Marie Cathcart and Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs member Carlos Ponton received plaques from the mayor for their service.
Block associations from each ward were also recognized by thier respective council representatives as part of the program. The work of the Plainfield Police Division was featured in a short film shown on a large screen set up next to City Hall plaza.
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| Rose Marie Cathcart, Carlos Ponton, Nancy Jordan, Liz Urquhart |
The evening also featured jazz singer Miss Cici, free food and drinks for attendees, information from community groups and a lot of socializing among friends and neighbors.
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| Miss Cici |
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National Night Out was awesome--the mayor and city council, with a police escort, formed a caravan that drove through all wards of the city. We stopped and chatted with residents at Rushmore Park, Hannah Atkins Park, and at Leland Avenue Park, and they seemed pleased to see us in the neighborhoods, and it was great seeing one of the police officers WALKING his regular beat over in the 4th Ward--the more community-oriented policing, the better the residents feel.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
By the way, while we were at Hannah Atkins, some of the young people asked about jobs. No one asked for a gun. :/
Most young people want to live...jobs sustain life...guns kill!
ReplyDeleteThe military is always looking for a few good .... Ask Colon Powell, he joined because he needed a job and influenced the White House.
ReplyDeleteThe white house influenced him. United nations debacle, weapons of mass destruction. Lol
DeleteWonderful job and great to see so many people out and about on a great summer night. It's equally great to acknowledge our residents who have contributed to the community over the years.
ReplyDeleteI am, however, curious to know the criteria for selecting those who received service awards.
At the risk of being a cynic, these types of presentations are often political in nature and moreso evident last night as one particular recipient stood out as being recognized much too prematurely for their "contributions" -- makes me think someone in the Mayor's office is influencing decision making, not only on this but many other matters. Follow the money trail.
Just curious if anyone knows.
Lalo- You are right on the mark.
DeleteRecent history, meaning the previous administration, had community service awards for volunteers and the criteria was it didn't matter if they volunteered for five minutes or if they were forced by virtue of keeping their seasonal jobs, they were recognized with an assembly and dinner. So if this mayor chose to recognize who he wants, let's not be too critical. It was a very positive event for the city. Let's keep moving forward.
DeleteI understand your overall point but, however, using the previous administration as a frame of reference does not mean much considering Josie and the Pussycats could have done a better job from their cartoon spaceship, than the former mayor.
DeleteIf we let any given public servant believe that we are comfortable with all their choices, then we further empower them to do as they please without checks and balances. Elected officials need to be constantly challenged, questioned and tested; we cannot allow them to get comfortable.
Albeit this this mayor is an improvement over the former, however it's well known he seethes whenever he is challenged. Is it that he thinks he always knows better? Appearance of collaboration (lots of meetings, awards, committees, commissions) is not the same as a genuine collaboration in which you allow those who support your ideas as well as those who do not, to participate in the process. THAT'S COLLABORATION!
A sign of true progress, Is when the elected officials caravan don't need or desire a police escort. Organizing for peace and progress. MR. N.D. Muhammad.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't they inform block association presidents about awards or recognition
ReplyDeleteI received a phone call as vice president and the president received a phone call from city hall asking if we would be there representing our block association.
DeleteMaybe you missed the phone call.
Hi Lalo,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are referring to me in your comments. I have to say that I was completely surprised and immensely honored to have received an award. I have been in Plainfield for 5 years. In those short 5 years, (and excuse me for tooting my own horn, for once), I immediately joined the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District where I have been an active member since then. I have helped organize house tours, progressive dinners, a historic home conference held in Plainfield, and currently am the webmaster of the district's website. All this helps to raise positive awareness for Plainfield. We have been able to bring in many homeowners to Plainfield because of the district and our work. I am also a commissioner of PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) where we help to bridge the gap between the Latino community and the administration. We've been researching options for Municipal IDs, created resolutions to help improve relations for the Latino community, and hosted a special community event between the Latino business owners and members of the administration. I am a member of Working Families for Plainfield, a collective of local residents working to help bring the Earned Sick Leave ordinance back in front of City Council soon. Last summer, I was elected to the Plainfield Democratic City Committee, where I am one of a handful of Latinos in the party (this also makes me a member of the Union County party). Because of my background, I was nominated as the Recording Secretary for the PDCC. And just recently, I became a board member of Neighborhood Health Services, a local organization that has been in existence for over 30 years, providing quality health care to residents in a safe environment. Those that have heard me speak know that I approach everything from a place of including everyone; not dividing into different factions but coming together by transcending all barriers (language, color, economic status).
I don't know what goes into the selection process. It doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is doing what I can to help make Plainfield a better place for everyone. I volunteer a lot of time and energy because I truly believe that this town is special and I want to help move it forward.
For 3:07 AM, When we received a call from the city, I told them that I was going to be there that night representing PACHA and the Van Wyck Brooks District. So calls/inquiries did go out to the different block associations. Some representatives were present to pick up their certificates from the city. You can call up the Dept of Recreation and ask them about the certificate.
So can I do more? Probably. But more importantly, I hope that I can inspire more people to become more involved in their community. That's the true reward.
Thank you,
Carlos Ponton
Very nice Mr. Ponton and kudos to you for all of your work, although I don't agree with most of your activist undertakings.
DeleteI was not seeking your resume, rather I was interested in knowing the process/criteria -- it seems random, but maybe not. Is there a nomination process? Does the administration go out and seek suggestions from the community? etc.
I am not criticizing you for being recognized. I was challenging its premature nature. I am questioning the process/criteria and most importantly, the person(s) behind the decision making as it is my belief and that of many others (based on previous commentaries on this blog) that there is a certain individual working in the Mayor's office that has considerable amount of influence over Adrian Mapp and there is undoubtedly a money trail attached to that influence.
I have numerous neighbors, as do you in VWB, with very impressive "Plainfield" resumes, why not them?
The main point is that it's important for residents to remain aware and not be comfortable with every decision coming from the Mayor's office, based solely on the fact that he is "better" than the previous mayor.
Carlos is being fast-tracked by the mayor and his chief of staff as a leader of the Latino community, and possibly their choice for 3rd Ward councilman. No problem taking up the reins of service, but the service is limited. In some respects it is service by merely by appointment, and there are many others who would be more deserving based on their longterm dedication and advocacy, as were the three other award recipients.
DeleteBingo! Didn't think of that, but it makes perfect sense seeing as Mr. Ponton has been repeatedly "featured" at community meetings, is somewhat of a mouthpiece for the administration, is quite friendly with the mayor's aid and, now, has been selected for a service award over other longtime residents.
DeleteNow we all understand the criteria and the process (wink wink).
What is wrong with grooming someone for higher levels. We have recycled the same old tired folks for too long. Carlos seems pleasant, intelligent and seems to have a true desire to make Plainfield a better place. It certainly would be better than the ungracious battles you see at the council meetings. New voice new chance.
DeleteHi Lalo,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are referring to me in your comments. I have to say that I was completely surprised and immensely honored to have received an award. I have been in Plainfield for 5 years. In those short 5 years, (and excuse me for tooting my own horn, for once), I immediately joined the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District where I have been an active member since then. I have helped organize house tours, progressive dinners, a historic home conference held in Plainfield, and currently am the webmaster of the district's website. All this helps to raise positive awareness for Plainfield. We have been able to bring in many homeowners to Plainfield because of the district and our work. I am also a commissioner of PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) where we help to bridge the gap between the Latino community and the administration. We've been researching options for Municipal IDs, created resolutions to help improve relations for the Latino community, and hosted a special community event between the Latino business owners and members of the administration. I am a member of Working Families for Plainfield, a collective of local residents working to help bring the Earned Sick Leave ordinance back in front of City Council soon. Last summer, I was elected to the Plainfield Democratic City Committee, where I am one of a handful of Latinos in the party (this also makes me a member of the Union County party). Because of my background, I was nominated as the Recording Secretary for the PDCC. And just recently, I became a board member of Neighborhood Health Services, a local organization that has been in existence for over 30 years, providing quality health care to residents in a safe environment. Those that have heard me speak know that I approach everything from a place of including everyone; not dividing into different factions but coming together by transcending all barriers (language, color, economic status).
I don't know what goes into the selection process. It doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is doing what I can to help make Plainfield a better place for everyone. I volunteer a lot of time and energy because I truly believe that this town is special and I want to help move it forward.
For 3:07 AM, When we received a call from the city, I told them that I was going to be there that night representing PACHA and the Van Wyck Brooks District. So calls/inquiries did go out to the different block associations. Some representatives were present to pick up their certificates from the city. You can call up the Dept of Recreation and ask them about the certificate.
So can I do more? Probably. But more importantly, I hope that I can inspire more people to become more involved in their community. That's the true reward.
Thank you,
Carlos Ponton