Sleepy Hollow
A resolution to define a neighborhood as Sleepy Hollow drew criticism from resident Sherice Koonce that it was "perpetuating the us versus them mentality."
The neighborhood in the city's southeast corner has long had an air of affluence, with its eclectic housing stock and winding roads lined with mature trees. A group had sought to set it off with signage and planters, but the Planning Board said the neighborhood had the be officially defined before an application for signs could be heard by the board.
When it came to a vote, Second Ward Councilman Cory Storch said it was not an "us versus them," mentioning other named neighborhoods such as Brisbane Estates. But Fourth Ward Councilwoman Bridget Rivers said she saw it as a division and the city "should be a whole." Storch said, "Neighborhood pride does not detract from city pride," and suggested Rivers could do the same in her own neighborhood.
Rivers countered by saying it should be done in the entire city, not just in her neighborhood, and First Ward Councilwoman Diane Toliver agreed, saying, "Let's lift up our whole city." and repeating it several times.
The resolution passed, 5-2, with Rivers and Toliver saying "no" and Storch, Third Ward Councilman Charles McRae, First & Fourth Wards at-large Councilman Barry Goode, Council President and Citywide at-large representative Rebecca Williams and Second & Third Ward at-large Councilwoman Joylette Mills-Ransome saying "yes."
Political Activities
The city's ordinance forbidding officials and employees from taking part in political activity was more restrictive than state law on the subject, in effect denying them their First Amendment rights to freedom of political speech and activity.
Or so said an amendment that would permit even cabinet members such as the city administrator to attend political meetings, circulate petitions, express political views and join political clubs and organizations.
Rivers said she had objected to the prior limit ($300 for contributions from vendors, when the state limit is $2,600) but as time went on, she came to regard it as "the best thing that ever happened to Plainfield."
She said she now wonders why "the same colleagues" that brought what she first considered the worst thing were "now changing it to help vendors."
"Why are we going back to the drawing board?" Rivers asked. "My colleagues were able to convince me how great this was."
Storch said he was "very ambivalent about this," alleging that the state Senate president and the speaker of the Assembly, among others, were "all raking in the dollars."
"That's why you have political bossism at the county," he said.
Storch said former Mayor Albert T. McWilliams was disenfranchised by a county boss who threatened all the vendors and told them they would not get county work if they did business with McWilliams.
River repeated her points before saying, "We all know the reason why this legislation is being put forth," later adding, "It's about this next election that's about to take place."
Formerly controlled by one faction, the all Democratic council now has a majority favorable to Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, who is running for re-election.
The vote to approve the ordinance on first reading was 4-3, with Rivers, Toliver and Storch voting "no" and Williams, Goode, McRae and Mills-Ransome voting "yes." It will be up for second reading and final passage on February 13.
Pricey Concession Stand
Council members demanded more information about a concession stand and restroom upgrades at Rushmore Playground at a cost of $232,800. Toliver said it was "too much" and asked for details of the proposed construction.
The contractor is Hahr Construction of North Plainfield. Toliver asked what other concession stands the company had built and Rivers said she looked up the company online and didn't see where he built a concession stand.
City Administrator Rick Smiley said he could get the council "the schematics and what the contractor proposed."
The discussion included a mention of another concession stand (see details here) that cost $193,952.
"Maybe we should table this until we see what we are getting for our money," Rivers said. And tabled it was, unanimously.
--Bernice
When you're in the catbird seat I guess you want everyone to bow down and kowtow in your favor. Councilor Storch, an original proponent of pay-to-play reform, realizing that something was better than nothing, proved that he is a stand-up guy and stuck by his principles by voting against the mayor's attempt to gut our local P2P law. The original ordinance should have been improved with a rewrite to make it clearer, and a means to effective enforcement was always lacking, but it has reduced the financial influence of municipal vendors on our local elections and leveled the playing field somewhat for other candidates seeking office. These are all positives, but now they are out the door. Council President Williams, who steadfastly endorsed P2P reform previously, even pledging to do so on her blog, showed a stunning degree of hypocrisy, proving that principle is meaningless when cementing power is the real game. No doubt when things shift again she'll be singing the same old tune of 'radical reform', whatever that means anymore. And with certainty the winds will shift again, probably sooner rather than later, once the public gets a taste of what is likely to get ramrodded through now that the mayor is feeling invincible and ready to trump all his adversaries. His other Council acolytes, Mills-Ransome, Goode, and McRae, who owe him big time for the posts they hold, if their willingness (without a word of comment) to gut P2P is any indication, are unlikely to provide much of a check down the road.
ReplyDeleteQuoting Alan “And with certainty the winds will shift again, probably sooner rather than later”. Alan Is this your opinion or do you think you speak for the entire city? I have no doubt that Mayor Mapp will be re-elected. He has a proven track record over the last 4 years of professionalism, consistency with his message and actions of moving Plainfield forward in a positive direction. I may not agree with every change he’s made, but I’m sure most will agree there has been a positive change in Plainfield with the expectation of more to come. If anyone is suggesting we take Plainfield back to the days of a Jerry Green control era with the likes of Tracy Brown, Bridge Rivers and his other handpicked cronies is really not interested in what’s best for Plainfield and its citizens. Let’s Keep Plainfield Moving Forward!
DeleteI wonder if the FBI will come to Plainfield? Doesn't the Mayor work there. How much money does the Mayor expect to have funneled from the Orange? The ordinance backed by Storch, Toliver and Rivers would have made it far more transparent... but who cares about that anyway.
DeleteSometimes you're the bug, sometimes the windshield. The Queen is dead, the King now drives the city.
ReplyDeleteWe need strong pay-to-play rules in a Plainfield that, in the past, has proven itself vulnerable to those who would buy favors and bypass the good of the people of Plainfield. We can only hope our elected officials treat carefully here.
ReplyDeleteBob Bolmer
Democratic City Committee, 2nd Ward
"Tread carefully" is the operative phrase; translated means, lose support. Here is the newly constituted Council with a golden opportunity to perform wonderful service. And what do they do when their seats aren't yet warm but to initiate repeal of the current play and pay ordinance. Whom cam we trust? I understand Diogenes's frustration. Bill Kruse
DeleteEverybody knows that Alan is right. A bunch of hypocrites.The winds will shift and yes sooner than later. This city is not happy with Mapp very evident at Washington School. What has he done to move this city forward, anybody can come into power and build apartment.What has he done for employment, what has he done for youth? What has he done to unify the city, absolutely nothing. Are taxes lower? Is there tention between him and the school super, caused by him. What has he done? All his people on PMUA is the bill lower? What has he done? TELL ME HOW IS THEIR PROGRES, HOW IS THE CITY GOING FORWRD. We are more divided than ever before, that is not progress there is division. What has he done, apartments ONLY. Alan is right, he always is.
ReplyDeleteI was at Washington school and what I observed was a small amount of people that was only there to bash the mayor. It appeared to be very planned. Plainfield is a city of 50,000 plus. The 10 people at Washington school who bashed the mayor certainly won't carry a vote. Nice try though.
DeleteThe meeting was about the public coming together and finding a solution. There was not one solution, and the whole line of speakers went at the mayor because of the reality. Plainfield this is the year for Change.
DeleteThe question as to whether Hahr previously built a concession stand is largely irrelevant. I suspect they built a variety of structures of equal or greater complexity. The relevant questions are: why is a stand required; who will operate the stand, the city or a lessee; either way what is the anticipated revenue projection; where are the plans and specifications for the Council to revue; who drew the plans and wrote the specifications ( are their plans and specifications ); how much has the engineer who prepared the documents been paid; what is his fee to inspect the work if performed; what is the Engineer's estimate of the cost of the work; how does the engineer's estimate compare to the submitted price; how can Hahr have submitted a price in the absence of the Council knowing there was a bid (negotiation?) occurring; or did they know and are now just objecting to the price; where is the advertisement for bid, the bid documents and copy of the bids submitted; is there money in the current budget for this purpose; etc. The customary steps precedent to any capital project are: the department head submits a proposal; if the proposal has merit and is approved money is committed for a preliminary design, ; the engineer submits a preliminary plan and budget estimate; on review if the Council or other delegated body approves the plan then the project goes out to bid. If the bids are within budget the award is made; if over budget the Council can reject the bids or allocate the additional funds. This article does not provide detail but the impression is that a design was made and a contract brought to the precipice of award in a vacuum. Can someone describe what transpired? Was the appropriate protocol followed? Bill Kruse.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:22PM, That is all you can respond to, Washington School, really? Where were his supporters? It was an anti-Mapp crowd, guarantee he won't try that crap again. Again what has he done for taxes, what has he done to lower PMUA bills ? where are the youth facilities? What is up with the pots holes on 7th street? Where are the jobs for youth, not that seasonal crap. How is his collaboration with the school system (terrible). This mayor is not interested in nothing but power. He said at his headquarters" I control the council, I control the school board, I control housing, and I control PMUA." You know what they say about absolute power.There is really no reason for the public to show up for council meetings because everything will pass, even if people were against it before. The 5 is just a big rubberstamp with no brains, no backbone, and after last night no morals or ethics.This mayor is not democratic but a communist or a dictator. Again please tell me how he has moved the city forward. Is it safe? Heck no!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 10:54 PM, can you tell me what Tracy Brown did when she was on the council for the last four years other than take her marching orders from Jerry Green; who by the way controlled the city for over 24 years with no major accomplishments or improvements for the city he lives in. Go figure. Apparently, now that he’s losing control he wants to use his puppets to bash the Mayor and back Tracy Brown for Mayor. What a joke. Brown was ineffective on the council and has proven she would be just as ineffective as Mayor if given the chance. For the last 4 years the city council had a majority that controlled the vote, reported to Jerry Green and took every opportunity to remind people if they could “count to 4”. They did everything they could to work against the Mayor. When you talk about PMUA, take a look at who on the council have relatives that was given jobs they didn’t qualify for and then come back and talk to me about rates. Really? you have the audacity to bring up one of the worst and most unqualified school superintendent’s Plainfield ever had (btw we can thank the Campbell’s for that) I have one thing to say about that, BYE FELICIA. As I recall I didn’t hear you all crying about Green when he had all the power and was controlling everything. You backstabbing, greedy, power hunger people really need to take a good look at yourselves.
DeleteAs far as the city being safe, why would you or anyone blame the Mayor for the way you raised your child? Are you pointing the finger at our Assemblymen Jerry Green? Tracy Brown who was part of the majority that had the controlling 4 votes was on the council for four years, can you tell us what political contributions she made to combat gang violence in Plainfield? I want to know what Brown the councilor did not Brown the Reverend. Believe me there is enough blame to go around, don’t just stop at the Mayor. Let’s be sure to include our school superintendent, the people that control her and the school board for 14 years and so on.
ReplyDeleteConcession Stand? The poor guy in the ice cream truck is going to lose business? So much for business friendly.
ReplyDeleteBrown for Mayor...With the backing of the Campbell's wow they are all over the place jumping in any hole the can squeeze in.
ReplyDeleteAnon, 10:40AM,Why bash Rev. Tracey Brown? She has done and is doing more for this city than you, and all your haters. For the majority of Napoleon's appointments,,and every major project she voted yes in NAPOLEON'S favor, name one she did not vote in his favor .Don't start tripping because she may run for mayor, your hating butt could too. People have the right to run for whatever they want, this is America. This should be fun, she got a lot of votes off line, really remarkable. I can only imagine what she could do with the line. I don't know who controls the line, but I hope she gets it.
ReplyDeleteRev.Brown has always hosted anti-gang workshops at her church. Mentoring programs for the youth. Gun buy back programs, and has opened her doors to every anti-violence group in town. Instead of assuming she has done nothing please check her record, and ask around town the question," Is Rev. Brown an asset to this community." If you don't know keep quiet.She has the right to run.
ReplyDeleteTracey Brown is the only candidate who can beat Adrian Mapp without the benefit of the line. I think she will.
ReplyDeleteDid she beat Rebecca? You all better save your money. We need to move forward not backwards.
DeleteThere is a greater turnout for Mayoral elections and the increased turnout from people who only vote in mayor and presidential elections favors brown. People care more about the mayor than city council seats.
DeleteI think she will too. Why attack somebody who does wonderful things for this city, is she perfect no, but I dare any of you to sit down and have a conversation with her, in 30 minutes or less you will be like she is a nice person.
ReplyDeleteNo she did not beat Rebecca, but also did not have the money or the line. She had very limited funds and a handful of volunteers who meant well but really did not know what they were doing. She did not have the luxury that Rebecca had, but that will not be the case. Even if not given the line she seems to have gotten the attention of some other influential people. It is on. She lost to Rebecca by less than 150 votes way in column C. Put Rebecca in column C and see how many votes she gets.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Rebecca win off the line twice. If you don't know just ask Jerry Green.
DeleteYes Rebecca won off line , but it was not city wide without the line. One on One all things even Brown wins.
ReplyDeleteand since this is mayoral, greater turnout, more attention. So even though Mapp is better known than Rebecca, easily, it's still problems for him. I think most Mapp supporters voted for Mapp by proxy through Rebecca anyway...
DeleteSleepy Hollow - Current residents of White Flight Districts often have no context for understanding the role that the residents of prime real estate played in social justice and political issues in our lifetimes.
ReplyDelete