Referring to an incident after the Aug. 31 special meeting, Councilwoman Diane Toliver said Tuesday, "I felt violated, attacked, disrespected and most important, unsafe."
Toliver said of being confronted by a man in City Hall Library, "It only takes a second to die and a lifetime to justify why it happened."
The man, who has not been identified by authorities, approached Toliver after she and two other council members voted "no" on a tax break for the developer of a $50 million project on South Avenue. The meeting was over and many people had left when Toliver began shouting that the man "jumped in my face."
"Fear brings in an accelerant and you fight and fight," she said.
Her husband and others led her away after she flailed at the man, and she filed a police report.
After someone pointed out that the meeting room has only one exit, Police Director Carl Riley recommended that no further council meetings take place there. Regular meetings take place in Municipal Court, which has a metal detector and is connected to police headquarters.
City Hall Library has an entrance from the rotunda, but a door that formerly opened into a foyer was closed off in a remodeling project several years ago. Another door to offices of the mayor and city administrator is normally kept locked during public meetings.
Toliver's opposition to a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for the development apparently angered the man, who challenged her after the meeting adjourned. Five of seven council members were present at the special meeting that was called by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. The only topics were approval of a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for Sleepy Hollow Developers' 212-unit apartment complex and another adding a portion of Old South Avenue to the development site. Both failed, with Toliver, Vera Greaves and Council President Bridget Rivers voting "no" and Rebecca Williams and Cory Storch voting "yes."
The PILOT had been deemed crucial to the development, which had already received preliminary and final site plan approvals. Financing and acquisition of about a dozen properties on South Avenue hinged on approval of the PILOT, which was blocked from the agenda at previous meetings. A very large crowd attended the special meeting, with strong feelings expressed for and against the PILOT, but the physical confrontation was unprecedented.
--Bernice
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If you want to feel "Fear to Your Life" try going to Plainfield High School [YES as I did] .
ReplyDeleteSome folks may remember that Toliver's husband suggested that I should be beheaded because of my political/religious views. I wrote about this last year--see my post from Monday, June 23, 2014 "Inciting Violence for One's Political/Religious Views." When we talk about dangerous harassment, we should remember these Facebook rantings, which made him appear unhinged--he wrote that I was a member of a cult as well. Previously, there were bizarre flirtations "You looked GREAT last nite I loved your hair" (sic), and then the desire for a beheading. Insane. I hope my fellow council members have my back as well. As a constituent said to me, it was made clear to her at the meeting when my name was omitted from a part of the discussion that my safety seemed to be an afterthought to some.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Ugh - how did this become about you suddenly?
DeleteRebecca was initially excluded when Council President Bridget Rivers spoke about how anything could have happened to other council members. I'm sure it was a trigger for Rebecca to recall Alex Toliver's comment that she should be beheaded.
DeleteWhen Diane Toliver requested to speak before the council meeting I thought she was going to use the time to apologize for her behavior. I was shocked to see that she turned it around as if she was a victim.
ReplyDeleteI was there, that's not how it went down. I hope someone publishes a link to the videos.
Diane Tolliver was a ticking bomb. When and if the video comes out on PCTV, watch how she continuously fanned herself during the meeting. And also -how she snipped at Councilman Storch when he answered a question she asked.
DeleteHer behavior during the special meeting was just a spark. In other words -her unbecoming behavior as a councilwoman is about worsen. In other words -we ain't seen nothing yet!
Were there any eyewitness to this suppose attack? Was there an actual physical altercation? I was present in the room at the time but didn’t see the initial confrontation between the two. Actually, I was right in front of Tolivers and without taking sides I must say that her behavior was absolutely dreadful. As a woman of God I do get upset but never to the point that I need to be constraint. The room was full of people and I understand her point that people are unpredictable and things can go wrong in a split second. I felt the same way when I was in front of her. The meeting was over and people was exiting the room, I had Toliver behind me going crazy and the guy she is accusing working his way in front of me. I didn’t know if she was going to break away from the guys holding her and mow me down or what. Not to make lite of the situation, the whole scene looked like something out of the reality shows I like to indulge in watching. A self-professed women of God should not have such fear in her heart or such obvious anger in her spirit.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, Tuesday when Rivers was making her statement about safety and naming all the women on the council, , I said out loud in the meeting (I’m working on my decorum) what about Williams, she then included your name.
KS
This would make a lot more sense if the person with whom Diane had the altercation was identified. Who said what to whom is probably the real question. It will be ironic if it turns out to be a black man, given that Gloria Taylor cited racial bias as the cause of whatever went wrong that night.
ReplyDeleteIt was a irritated whiteman who happens to be a new dem. He had a agenda to start trouble from the door. He rudely interrupted a speaker at the mic during public comment. The speaker happened to be black. A coincidence I don't think so. Mr. X
DeleteWilliam I don't recall Toliver injecting race into this. As far as Gloria is concern, well she has shown time and time again that she has low tolerance for Hispanics, Caucasian and any person not born and raised here in Plainfield. Let’s not feed into her ignorance.
DeleteKS
The safety of all our elected officials has to be paramount (along with that of the general public) when it comes to open council meetings. I witnessed the incident between Councilwoman Toliver and the individual that confronted her and personally don't think her concerns about safety are exaggerated since this kind of incident could have happened to any of the elected officials, MALE or FEMALE that were present that night.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Councilwoman Williams comments about Mr. Toliver's Facebook posts, I agree with her, that kind of language is unacceptable, particularly since his wife is a member of the council. But his comments do not delegitimize his wife's concerns about her safety.
One of the things that disturbs me most is the overall lack of decorum that exists at these council meetings. Throughout Tuesday evenings session, members of the public were shouting derogatory and disrespectful comments at the council members. This creates a toxic working environment. How does this advance anyone's interests?
There is an obvious lack of respect for members of the council that should not be tolerated by Council President Rivers. Personally I feel too many members of the public think this an appropriate way to voice their displeasure about about council members they disagree with. It's the same kind of inappropriate behavior many across the country have shown toward President Obama that has somehow become en vogue. Every member of the public has the opportunity to speak before the council. So for those who disagree with any of our elected officials, walk to the microphone and go on the record instead of shouting out like you are at a boxing match.
Members of the council are held to a much higher standard of course. If we are honest we all know the eye-rolling and mumbled comments that everyone can hear (made by certain members of the council) diminish the body as a whole. The council, the mayor, and most importantly the City cannot effectively move forward with the lack of decorum and current dysfunctional working relationship that exists within the governing body.
This is an opportunity for the Mayor and his administration to change the tone that exists by reaching out to the "opposition" to find common ground. The "Sick leave" and ongoing Outsourcing conversation are both opportunities to start a more constructive dialogue.
I can't say Mayor Mapp hasn't already tried but most constituents idea of effectiveness is not based on what you attempt but what you actually accomplish. Redouble your efforts with the council Mayor Mapp, you have the tools to get the job done. You can compromise on ideas without compromising your values.
I believe the Mayor tried but I don't think that continued much after the first few ridiculous grand standing sessions by the council. It is similar to Obama and the GOP Congress - it takes two to tango and if one side just wants to derail the other it tough to play the "common ground" game.
DeleteI have my issues with the Administration but this council is really quite ridiculous.
To Tony Rucker - Are you delusional? The council women that you speak of are some of the most disrespectful, ignorant human beings I have seen. They are doing everything in their power to destroy any shred of progress in this City. I am not a fan of Obama either, but comparison of these buffoons to the President is a stretch.
Delete@5:04PM- Please reread Tony's last 3 paragraphs. He is comparing certain council members to obstructionist republicans in Congress who oppose everything Obama proposes. No delusion there.
DeleteANON 2:07,
DeleteThank you for your comment. You consider this council "really quite ridiculous". I get that but since they are the governing my question is do you feel they have the capacity for good governance? What can be done?
RECALL!
DeleteTony - this council is quite ridiculous and no they do not have the capacity for good governance. They have the capacity to do what they have been doing which is to just trip their way through it. Unfortunately, this is not a council of serious individuals. They are not well versed in how the world works, what their roles are and what the job of a municipality should be. They are playing the parts but not very well. They don't read their packets, they don't understand what questions to ask and they don't even remember what they voted on or why. That being said, the Mapp administration has its faults for its heavy handed approach and its tone deaf manner of communicating - with the Council and with the public. However, when you have a council like this one there is only so much that a Mayor (Mapp or someone else) can do to "find common ground".
DeleteAs I said - it is similar to Obama and the GOP Congress. They hate anything that he likes just because he likes it - so its pretty hard for him to sit down and try to work across the aisle with them.
There was a poll done recently where they asked people what they thought of a particular policy position. If they asked a Republican what they thought of an Obama proposal they overwhelmingly hated it, if they outlined that same proposal of Obama's and said it was Trumps proposal they overwhelmingly approved of it.
In a nut shell that is what we have here. Mayor Mapp's personal agenda aside, it is the way this ridiculous council operates and its what we have to live with at the moment.
I'm sorry to hear that Toliver is trying to play the victim, when she is not. You don't want to take it "outside" if you feel like a victim. She needs to cut the drama. We have some expert drama queens on the City Council. Council members should leave their street behavior outside the Council Chambers. Council and Mayor need to communicate better and all need to be better prepared for meetings to help move the city forward. I know people outside of Plainfield will see the video of Council proceedings and I'm embarrassed by what they will see. I've already had comments from people in other communities who have watched some of the videos. They don't bode well for our city or improve our reputation.
ReplyDeleteI am not kidding or being flip with this remark, but councilwoman Toliver has serious issues.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly, I feel like she describes every time I am around her.
Really ??? Really Diane ??? " DIRESPECTED " ?? .. that alone makes you sound like some punk street thug justifying their pathetic anti-social behavior. Stunning, and these women on that council who act like this call themselves Christians and ladies... amazing.
ReplyDeleteDiane stated she was fearful and felt unsafe? Well I had a real fear for Dottie and the other senior citizen who were standing near appearing to want to calm her down. I also feared for whoever said something to her to set her off. If she had got to him, he would have received a serious beat down because she was the definite aggressor after he passed by her. As for the senior she finally sat down (was not pushed as thought by Dan) but she said “this is a shame” and Diane turned into Linda Blair from the Exorcist and yelled at her. She said over and over “nobody gets in my face. I’m a Christian and I don’t disrespect anyone but no one is going to get in my face”. I’m sure that lady felt threatened and unsafe.
ReplyDeleteIf Diane wants to claim that she was the victim, that’s between her and her God just as her votes and how she talks to people like the police officer who gave the report on that bar and the administration like she is the prosecutor. But nevertheless, she was showing a total lack of control that night. She either needs to get something for that PMS or do something about that guilty conscience or maybe public office is not good for her.
When she turned to me and started yelling I too was scared...but those who know me know I don't back down. All I had said was something to the effect of "please be careful, you could have knocked me down," and she turned on me. It was indeed frightening--she began swinging her arms and was finally corralled and taken away, thank goodness.
Delete