Something came up at Monday's City Council meeting that will cause Plaintalker to deviate from the usual topics and make a further departure by suggesting support for a local group.
Several young children and a couple of adults came to the meeting and one of them, Jerome Cabble, made a pitch to the council for funds. Cabble is the new director of the Jam Steppers Drill Team, one of the first organizations I learned about when I first came to Plainfield. The director then was Jeanette Lacks, who impressed me with her determination to provide children with an activity that built teamwork, dedication, commitment and the competitive spirit while celebrating and excelling in an African-American tradition.
As I recall, over 30 years in Plainfield, I helped publicize the team's successes while I worked at both weekly and daily newspapers and I gained much respect for Ms.Lacks, who went on to become a teacher in Plainfield.ion
If you have attended the annual July Fourth parade or the PMUA Environmental Fair, you probably have seen the Jam Steppers. They also compete widely in drill team contests and, according to a press release handed out Monday, the team is now a member of the American Marching Association and holds the title of Multi-State Intermediate Division Champions. On June 7, they will take part in a championship competition in Ohio and that was the reason for the funding request.
Unfortunately, the governing body is prohibited from appropriating public funds for such a purpose, although elected officials can encourage their constituents to donate to a worthy cause. I was picky or mean enough to raise this point myself in public comment, but after the meeting I went over to Cabble to ask about
Ms. Lacks and to get more information.
Anyone who is so inclined can send a check made out to "Jam Steppers Drill Team" to Cabble at 532 West Fourth Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060 to defray costs including uniforms, boots, drums and travel.
Click here to see a video of the Jam Steppers at a competition in Connecticut. Their goal is to raise $8,000 and they welcome fundraisers such as candy/bake sales, dinner sales, raffles and other efforts for their cause.
Sponsors are also welcome.
I can't tell you how often I have heard people say there is nothing for youngsters to do in Plainfield, but there are sincere adults in the community who take time to coach and support children and teens in worthwhile activities that build character and provide positive camaraderie.
Here is what the Jam Steppers say: "Our purpose is to strive to establish a team foundation that not just focuses on the physical but also the social-emotional and spiritual well-being of all members."
Let the people say amen.
--Bernice
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Off to the PNW (Pacific Northwest)
Leaving my gardens behind this morning to go visit Audrey and Peter in West Seattle ...
--Bernice
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
PMUA Seeks FEMA Funds, Targets Recycling Violators
Like many householders and business owners affected by Hurricane Sandy, the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority is still seeking reimbursement from FEMA for cleanup costs from the Oct. 29 storm. But building the authority's case is proving very complicated, due to its ties to the city and new contracts with neighboring municipalities.
The storm struck at a most inopportune time for the authority, which has provided solid waste and sewer services to the city for more than 15 years. The authority had just launched a drive to bring in outside revenue, a long-promised goal, by offering disposal of vegetative waste at very competitive rates. The storm produced many extra tons of tree debris and upset a deal the PMUA had for final disposal of the waste at a Lawrenceville site (see post here).
As discussion at a meeting Tuesday revealed, now the PMUA has to draw together all these elements - the city agreement, the new contracts with other municipalities and the change in final disposal rates - to prove that the authority is entitled to reimbursement.
Staff member Reno Wilkins said one issue is that FEMA is regarding the authority's interlocal services agreement with the city as all-inclusive, covering even all the debris from the storm. Executive Director Dan Williamson said the authority is still compiling all its claims and needs to substantiate them, such as with receipts from Britton Industries in Lawrenceville, which accepted most of the debris after it was dumped at the Rock Avenue transfer station.
Robert Kearney, assistant superintendent of the transfer station, said the authority aims to prove the differing disposal cost before and after the storm. Britton had been accepting vegetative waste at a flat monthly rate of $2,408.33, but when the storm debris began pouring in, the company first refused it, then accepted it at a negotiated rate of $15 per ton, Executive Director Dan Williamson said.
FEMA has also been checking separately with the municipalities who signed up to dump at the transfer station, Williamson said.
Besides the cost of final disposal, the authority also had costs for overtime, equipment and even damage to fences, he said.
"We very frankly have no clue where we are going to end up," Williamson said, but held out hope for partial payment by the end of the year.
In other news, the authority is nearing imposition of fines on property owners who have been found in audits to be disregarding recycling rules. The PMUA announced the audit last fall (see post here) and said violators would be subject to fines from $250 to $1,000 per incident. The goal is to keep recyclables out of the waste stream by separating out bottles, cans and paper from household garbage.
Inspectors have issued $16,000 worth of summonses and Williamson said although none have been paid yet, "Ultimately we will get paid."
He promised to bring the PMUA board of commissioners both the number of fines and the amount paid.
"So you are satisfied that residents are getting adequate notice?" Commissioner Harold Mitchell asked.
"We are not trying at all to penalize people," Williamson said. "We are trying to increase tonnage in recycling. It will take time for people to come on board."
--Bernice
The storm struck at a most inopportune time for the authority, which has provided solid waste and sewer services to the city for more than 15 years. The authority had just launched a drive to bring in outside revenue, a long-promised goal, by offering disposal of vegetative waste at very competitive rates. The storm produced many extra tons of tree debris and upset a deal the PMUA had for final disposal of the waste at a Lawrenceville site (see post here).
As discussion at a meeting Tuesday revealed, now the PMUA has to draw together all these elements - the city agreement, the new contracts with other municipalities and the change in final disposal rates - to prove that the authority is entitled to reimbursement.
Staff member Reno Wilkins said one issue is that FEMA is regarding the authority's interlocal services agreement with the city as all-inclusive, covering even all the debris from the storm. Executive Director Dan Williamson said the authority is still compiling all its claims and needs to substantiate them, such as with receipts from Britton Industries in Lawrenceville, which accepted most of the debris after it was dumped at the Rock Avenue transfer station.
Robert Kearney, assistant superintendent of the transfer station, said the authority aims to prove the differing disposal cost before and after the storm. Britton had been accepting vegetative waste at a flat monthly rate of $2,408.33, but when the storm debris began pouring in, the company first refused it, then accepted it at a negotiated rate of $15 per ton, Executive Director Dan Williamson said.
FEMA has also been checking separately with the municipalities who signed up to dump at the transfer station, Williamson said.
Besides the cost of final disposal, the authority also had costs for overtime, equipment and even damage to fences, he said.
"We very frankly have no clue where we are going to end up," Williamson said, but held out hope for partial payment by the end of the year.
In other news, the authority is nearing imposition of fines on property owners who have been found in audits to be disregarding recycling rules. The PMUA announced the audit last fall (see post here) and said violators would be subject to fines from $250 to $1,000 per incident. The goal is to keep recyclables out of the waste stream by separating out bottles, cans and paper from household garbage.
Inspectors have issued $16,000 worth of summonses and Williamson said although none have been paid yet, "Ultimately we will get paid."
He promised to bring the PMUA board of commissioners both the number of fines and the amount paid.
"So you are satisfied that residents are getting adequate notice?" Commissioner Harold Mitchell asked.
"We are not trying at all to penalize people," Williamson said. "We are trying to increase tonnage in recycling. It will take time for people to come on board."
--Bernice
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Housing Authority Role Not A Problem Now
How times change.
The brouhaha over Adrian Mapp and the Hatch Act in June 2012 would have been moot six months later, apparently.
Mapp resolved the problem by changing jobs. Now another individual employed by a Housing Authority has won the right to run in a partisan election. See story here.
--Bernice
The brouhaha over Adrian Mapp and the Hatch Act in June 2012 would have been moot six months later, apparently.
Mapp resolved the problem by changing jobs. Now another individual employed by a Housing Authority has won the right to run in a partisan election. See story here.
--Bernice
Questions Arise On $8 Million In Bonds
Bond ordinances totaling $8 million caused worries Monday about the city's debt burden and brought calls for more clarity on what they are for.
"Why now?" Councilwoman Rebecca Williams asked at the City Council's agenda-fixing session.
Part of the answer was that several years had passed with no capital improvements, but Williams said she saw no need for bunching up all the projects, and wanted them broken out and explained.
Capital improvement plans are long range proposals to pay for items expected to last for many years, such as roads, vehicles, fire trucks and construction or renovation of buildings. Proposals for capital expenditures are reviewed by the Planning Board, which then recommends plans to the governing body. Capital projects may be funded through grants or by bond issues, which spread debt over several years.
Councilman Cory Storch also questioned the bond ordinances Monday. He said he had asked why roads were not part of the $3 million bond ordinance that was passed on first reading last month and the administration had replied that there were enough roads "to keep us busy for another year."
"Now we're talking about $8 million," he said.
Storch said he had served on the Planning Board for 10 years and knew that some projects on a capital improvement plan are a "wish list."
"We have to take a closer look," he said, also noting "this is an election year" and he did not want to put $5 million of debt (on residents).
"It is not a wish list!" Councilwoman Vera Greaves insisted. "You have given time for other streets to be done and now it's time for that street, too."
She was referring to Third Street, which Public Works Director Eric Jackson said would cost $2 million to complete.
"This is a rush job," Storch said of the bond ordinances. "We should try to find some grant money."
Finance Director Al Restaino said the city was at one-third of its maximum debt and Public Works Director Eric Jackson said the bonding would bring the city current with capital projects through 2013.
Jackson, who became director less than two years ago, said capital improvements had been delayed for "many years," but said, "I can't tell you why." One of his first initiatives was an orientation program to instruct division heads on the capital improvement process and meeting its deadlines.
Deferrals of capital budget plans cropped up in 2008 and again in 2010.
The two bond ordinances, with lists of projects to be funded, are available to the public in the May 6 council packet on file in the city clerk's office and at the Plainfield Public Library's reference desk. The $3 million bond ordinance is up for final passage and the $5 million ordinance is up for passage on first reading at the May 13 regular meeting, 8 p.m. in Municipal Court.
--Bernice
"Why now?" Councilwoman Rebecca Williams asked at the City Council's agenda-fixing session.
Part of the answer was that several years had passed with no capital improvements, but Williams said she saw no need for bunching up all the projects, and wanted them broken out and explained.
Capital improvement plans are long range proposals to pay for items expected to last for many years, such as roads, vehicles, fire trucks and construction or renovation of buildings. Proposals for capital expenditures are reviewed by the Planning Board, which then recommends plans to the governing body. Capital projects may be funded through grants or by bond issues, which spread debt over several years.
Councilman Cory Storch also questioned the bond ordinances Monday. He said he had asked why roads were not part of the $3 million bond ordinance that was passed on first reading last month and the administration had replied that there were enough roads "to keep us busy for another year."
"Now we're talking about $8 million," he said.
Storch said he had served on the Planning Board for 10 years and knew that some projects on a capital improvement plan are a "wish list."
"We have to take a closer look," he said, also noting "this is an election year" and he did not want to put $5 million of debt (on residents).
"It is not a wish list!" Councilwoman Vera Greaves insisted. "You have given time for other streets to be done and now it's time for that street, too."
She was referring to Third Street, which Public Works Director Eric Jackson said would cost $2 million to complete.
"This is a rush job," Storch said of the bond ordinances. "We should try to find some grant money."
Finance Director Al Restaino said the city was at one-third of its maximum debt and Public Works Director Eric Jackson said the bonding would bring the city current with capital projects through 2013.
Jackson, who became director less than two years ago, said capital improvements had been delayed for "many years," but said, "I can't tell you why." One of his first initiatives was an orientation program to instruct division heads on the capital improvement process and meeting its deadlines.
Deferrals of capital budget plans cropped up in 2008 and again in 2010.
The two bond ordinances, with lists of projects to be funded, are available to the public in the May 6 council packet on file in the city clerk's office and at the Plainfield Public Library's reference desk. The $3 million bond ordinance is up for final passage and the $5 million ordinance is up for passage on first reading at the May 13 regular meeting, 8 p.m. in Municipal Court.
--Bernice
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Technology Petting Zoo
LWV, FOSH Set May 22 For Mayoral Forum
A mayoral candidates' forum co-sponsored by the Friends of Sleepy Hollow and the League of Women Voters will be held May 22 at the Plainfield Public Library.
Incumbent Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs is running for a third term in a rematch with Third Ward Councilman Adrian Mapp, who challenged her in 2009. Both are Democrats who filed for the June 4 primary. The winner will have the Democratic line in the November 5 general election.
The forum begins at 7 p.m. and will follow LWV rules in a format that includes opening and closing statements and written questions posed to the candidates by the audience. It will be moderated by Dawn Clarke, a LWV vice-president who, in accordance with forum policy, is not a city resident.
FOSH is also printing and distributing at the forum a sheet with candidate biographies and responses to two Plainfield LWV questions, prepared by Joylette Mills-Ransome, vice-president for voter services. LWV President Rupert Crawford and Treasurer Alice Logie will be time-keepers.
LWV policy is to hold primary forums only for contested seats. Republican Sandy Spector filed to run for mayor and Democratic Councilwoman Bridget Rivers filed for re-election to the Fourth Ward City Council seat, both uncontested, so will not take part in the forum.
The forum is free and open to the public. The library is located at Park Avenue and West Eighth Street. Attendees are requested to park on the street or behind the library in the Ninth Street lot in order to keep the front lot open for patrons.
The Plainfield LWV will hold forums before the Nov. 5 general election for all municipal candidates, including the primary winner, uncontested candidates who met the April 1 filing date, independents who file for mayor or Fourth Ward on June 4; and for school board candidates, who must also file on that date.
--Bernice
Incumbent Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs is running for a third term in a rematch with Third Ward Councilman Adrian Mapp, who challenged her in 2009. Both are Democrats who filed for the June 4 primary. The winner will have the Democratic line in the November 5 general election.
The forum begins at 7 p.m. and will follow LWV rules in a format that includes opening and closing statements and written questions posed to the candidates by the audience. It will be moderated by Dawn Clarke, a LWV vice-president who, in accordance with forum policy, is not a city resident.
FOSH is also printing and distributing at the forum a sheet with candidate biographies and responses to two Plainfield LWV questions, prepared by Joylette Mills-Ransome, vice-president for voter services. LWV President Rupert Crawford and Treasurer Alice Logie will be time-keepers.
LWV policy is to hold primary forums only for contested seats. Republican Sandy Spector filed to run for mayor and Democratic Councilwoman Bridget Rivers filed for re-election to the Fourth Ward City Council seat, both uncontested, so will not take part in the forum.
The forum is free and open to the public. The library is located at Park Avenue and West Eighth Street. Attendees are requested to park on the street or behind the library in the Ninth Street lot in order to keep the front lot open for patrons.
The Plainfield LWV will hold forums before the Nov. 5 general election for all municipal candidates, including the primary winner, uncontested candidates who met the April 1 filing date, independents who file for mayor or Fourth Ward on June 4; and for school board candidates, who must also file on that date.
--Bernice
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