The blog that claims to be the true voice of Latinos came out swinging against Flor Gonzalez, Carlos Ponton and Maritza Martinez, calling them "sell-outs."
The three are members of the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs, once led by Norman E. Ortega, who is now running for City Council as an Independent against Democrat Barry Goode. Ortega's campaign ad looms large beside the blast at PACHA, whose alleged "sell-out" in part consists of holding "cheap parties" and allowing Goode to attend.
The blog has been highly critical of Mayor Adrian O. Mapp since its inception, putting anti-Latino words in his mouth with speech bubbles like this:
Subtle, eh? Especially when Mapp's Deputy City Administrator, Carlos Sanchez, explains economic development and other topics to audiences in English and Spanish and Mapp's own motto is "One Plainfield - One Future." Mapp also revived PACHA after Ortega let it sink into oblivion.
PlainfieldLatino has a big notice for the Fourth Ward meeting next week, which Council President Bridget Rivers said on Sept. 8 was for herself and Vera Greaves, the current First & Fourth Ward at-large council representative. It has since been clarified that the meeting is open to all residents and the entire council may be present. Greaves will not be on the Nov. 3 ballot; the candidates are Goode and Ortega.
As a blog, PlainfieldLatino began in 2014 with some unfortunate episodes of plagiarism and also swiped a photo of Latino homeland flags from Plaintalker. It soon moved on to a steady stream of mayor-bashing. Mapp apparently decided to heed the old adage never to get into a micturation contest with a Mephitis mephitis and has not reacted to the blog's barrage of misinformation.
Ortega ran for the school board in 2014 and blamed his loss on the failure of Latinos to vote for him. His very faulty analysis of the election led Plaintalker to respond with some better math.
The PlainfieldLatino blog moved to.a different format in April 2015, though the tone remained the same. Most recently, it has become a campaign vehicle for Ortega.
A blog can be whatever the blogger(s) in charge want it to be. So far, it's a free country for bloggers, though some council members want blogs to be abolished. As with any form of communication, be it a radio show or a newspaper or a blog, the audience/reader needs to decide whether the content is based on fact, fiction or fulmination. Watch out for those that think you will go for the okey-doke.
--Bernice
It is very disappointing to see that a blog which was purportedly created to be an outlet for Plainfield's very large and diverse Latino population has turned into a site to bash private citizens who have the temerity to want to participate in Plainfield's civic life. What's interesting is the cowardice in just calling out three of these PACHA commissioners as "sell-outs" while selectively leaving out two other members (perhaps they are afraid to call out these other two men by name?). Of course, bloggers can do whatever they'd like to do, and write whatever they would like to write. My blogs are my own--my spaces to voice my opinion and my perspective--it's clear that the content is my own and I don't pretend that it is anything else.
ReplyDeleteBut the Plainfield Latino blog, which is clearly filtered through the consciousness of the embittered Ortega, only deals in casting our city and its residents in a negative light. As you noted, PACHA languished for years under the "leadership" of this individual. Where was his "voice" all those years? Back in the spring, he wrote that Latinos should vote for Latinos--I guess because they are Latinos? Is he also saying that blacks should only vote for other blacks? Whites only for other whites? Now, that is divisive.
He consistently calls me out for unnamed crimes against humanity--lol--but I ignore it, as he is not worth my time. The attacks have begun again of late--the smell of desperation in a faltering political campaign. He will not win his election because he has no vision for our city beyond the negativity and misinformation he apparently delights in spreading.
It would be nice to hear some reasoned analysis from that blog, but it is so intent on trashing our city's civic leaders--even those private citizens who serve on a volunteer basis--that I don't have much faith that it will change from its narrow agenda of divisiveness and dissembling.
But, as the disclaimer at the bottom of the home page states: "The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site." So, at least the owner of the site is attesting to the fact that the blog delights in spreading misinformation, along with out and out lies, such as continuing to state that the Bilingual Daycare has "closed" when, in fact, it is open and operating.
Rebecca
Do people really believe him?
ReplyDeleteIt is also very upsetting Council women Williams to have a Mayor to use his office to promote candidate Barry Goode and Cory Storch. This mayor has abused his powers of the office of the Mayor. PACHA had an event and candidate Barry Goode and Cory Storch took advantage of this opportunity with photo ops. This is a great disservice to the office of the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious. Do you mean literally “use his office” or figuratively? Doesn’t Assemblyman Green run candidates every year, is that an abuse of the assemblyman’s’ power?
DeleteSounds like Anonymous 8:53 is very new, very stupid, or just trying to stir up trouble. Maybe this person is someone Jerry got a job for.
DeleteMaybe just maybe Barry Goode and Cory Storch wanted to be involved and take part in a public event sponsored by PACHA it was open to anyone after all so any could have come.
DeleteFor all of the readers information- Independent candidate John Campbell Jr attended the event and was introduced to the guests by Flor Gonzalez as a candidate for City Council. And- she said some very kind and touching words regarding John.
DeleteThanks Bernice, I just read Alma's post and it sounds very familial and a bit racist. Rebecca’s comments on that blog is correct and accurate on all accounts concerning the daycare still being opened, the restaurant and the bar that has operated in direct violation of established rules and city ordinance. The last thing Plainfield needs is people whose only intention is to try to divide and conquer, we need strong honest leadership on all levels that is all inclusive of the residents of Plainfield. By using the term ‘sell-out’ in reference to political organizations leads one to believe that the writer of this post has a personal agenda that would only benefit a select group of people and not Plainfield as a whole.
ReplyDeleteMayor Mapp’s One Plainfield’ is not just a slogan, this administration has proven by thier actions to be all inclusive in their decision making process. We need honest, level headed, non-bias, intelligent people like Barry Goode for city council in the fourth ward. Without a doubt Barry Goode will represent ALL residents of Plainfield.
Robin B
The most ridiculous, negative, divisive blog out there. Perhaps it is Norman's blog the Council people are referring to. I always thought you couldn't get any worse than Dan Damon's fiction, but Norman has succeeded.
ReplyDeleteDamon's Fiction? 98% of his blog is just links to actual news on the web.
DeleteHas Norman ever been to any preschool program in Plainfield? Obviously not. He is insulting hundreds of preschool educators, parents and children with his misinformation. What a disservice to our community.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I had the pleasure of working for one of the city's preschools which now houses two sites. Each classroom over two sites are bilingual. It's a new set standard that either the teacher or teacher's assistant speak Spanish. ALL the students learn vocabulary in both English and Spanish.
DeleteRobin you are out there in lala land oh yes as you always say your a strong supporter of Mayor Mapps thru his good and his bad. Rebecca is not right on point actually she is off point and I think it's a shame how this mayor is abusing his powers as a mayor. You guys just watch and see. Bill Neirdstadt is telling it all. Come on in now Attorney General. please do
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:12 - that was about the most generic use of Jerry Green's talking points as I have seen. How about some detail in there instead of vague information. By the way - its is you're not your.
DeleteLMBAO -
DeleteRobin B
Anon 1:12, I know who you are.
DeleteRobin B
Tell Bill to make sure he tell his part when he start talking because I guarantee he won't pass the smell test.
DeleteAnon 1:49 you are so far up Mayor's Mapp butt that you can not see the forest from the trees. I am sitting back watching this crap unfold. This administration is worst I have ever seen. I will not turn a blind eye to this corruption.
ReplyDeleteApparently, you loved Sharon, who should be in jail, and haven't lived here during her disastrous reign of terror. Millions missing from budgets, spending that was unchecked, and hiring her cronies to waste taxpayer money. Buying votes with food paid for by the taxpayers. This administration has not done that and is willing to be included in a forensic audit. You are really blowing it out of both holes. This administration is not perfect and has made mistakes, but they are not taking the tax payers to the cleaners as the last administration did. Many of us pay attention and you don't even give examples to back up what you're saying.
DeleteRobin it's not LMBAO it's LMBO get it right.
ReplyDeleteNow I’m falling on the floor ‘laughing my black ass off’ thanks for the laughs!
DeleteRB
@1:12, 2:56, and 2:57 is the same person who hides behind a usually hides behind a fictitious name but has decided to go anonymous. Yes Robin- we know who this person is. She plays up to the Mapp Administration and then trashes the Administration on blogs.
ReplyDeleteYep, I too am LMBAO!!!
Norman Ortega's blog is the trashiest I have ever seen!
ReplyDelete