A president will be selected at the January reorganization, to serve for one year. The role is important for several reasons. It is the president who, with the city clerk, decides what goes on the agenda. The president can decide not to include an item, in a kind of pre-emptive veto The president can shut down speakers in public comment. With a bang of the gavel, the president can even have a speaker removed by police.
As noted in the council's Rules of Order, the president is also supposed to bar "personal reflections" by other members during debate and must immediately call to order any speaker who makes "offensive, derogatory or abusive remarks" in public comment.
Past presidents include Annie McWilliams, who served in 2010 and 2011; Adrian Mapp (now the mayor) in 2012; and for 2013, 2014 and 2015, Bridget Rivers.
Bridget Rivers, 2013
The council for 2016 will consist of Rivers, Tracey Brown, Rebecca Williams, Gloria Taylor, Diane Toliver, Cory Storch (starting his fourth four-year term) and new member Barry Goode.
Meanwhile, as previously noted, the Dec. 7 agenda-fixing session, Dec.14 regular meeting and Dec. 23 agenda-fixing for the January annual reorganization have been combined into one "special meeting" starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave. The reorganization takes place in early January.
--Bernice
It seems to me that Rivers will remain. The other members are either too busy, lazy, or lack the smarts to do the job.
ReplyDeleteI hope and pray we can get a Council President who is professional and knows and follows Robert's Rules of Order. These past few years have been an embarrassment to Plainfield with the blatantly biased leadership the Council has had. Let's hope for some civil and professional leadership.
ReplyDeleteCan we all pray that it’s not Councilor Gloria Taylor.
ReplyDeleteWe hope and pray that it will not be you Bob or Rob or whom ever you are.
ReplyDeleteI am Bob, not Rob and am not on the City Council, but I'm glad you read what I say on the blogs that it gets you so upset. Rivers is a joke and let's hope Taylor is not chosen, or people will be picketing the City Council meetings. Have a good day.
DeleteI pray for a REAL CITY COUNCIL .
ReplyDeleteThe operator of this page is a hypocrite.. I posted something and because it wasnt in favor of her beloved mayor ir wasn't posted.. True plainfield bs
ReplyDeleteBob - I always seem to appreciate your comments and I look forward to reading more of your comments. And- I agree, Plainfield council needs to end Rivers Rules! Let's get back to Robert's Rules and the only council members that know Robert's Rules are Rebecca Williams and Cory Storch. The remaining present council members: Diane Toliver, Gloria Taylor and Reverend Tracy Brown know Green's Rules. So -moving forward into 2016- perhaps Council Elect Barry Goode could bring some GOOD to the council, if he is familiar with Robert's Rules.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens -Plainfield Council Entertainment will continue in 2016.
Ryan B.
In spite of his seniority, Cory has never received the designation of president. This should change. Now.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of his seniority, Cory has never received the designation of president. This should change. Now.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of his seniority, Cory has never received the designation of president. This should change. Now.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of his seniority, Cory has never received the designation of president. This should change. Now.
ReplyDelete