L'Shanah Tovah!
to all our Jewish friends and neighbors
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year 5777
If you are not Jewish but want to know more about the holiday,
Monday, October 3, 2016
Saturday, October 1, 2016
PBA President Calls For Council Backing
Under a past administration, some police personnel dealt directly with the mayor, sidestepping rules and leading to "command structure breakdown, personnel divide, low morale" and even allegations of criminal activity resulting in violations and even criminal charges.
So says a letter from PBA President Andre Crawford to City Council President Cory Storch in Monday's council packet that then describes new accountability and advances under Police Director Carl Riley, with a call for support from the governing body.
The letter echoes the message of a March presentation on police accreditation which detailed many improvements in local law enforcement, but failed to get full council support. Councilwoman Gloria Taylor had called for a council investigation of police "procedures and culture" and continued to do so in following months. A related issue, the alleged unfair treatment of Lt. Ken Reid, brought many speakers to the March meeting in support of Reid, including former Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp disclosed that five officers, both white and black, were facing disciplinary charges, but Reid supporters continued to allege racism in his case, even though details of the internal affairs matter were never disclosed. Reid has since retired.
Despite having drawn criticism for remarks on the 1967 killing of a police officer, Taylor repeated her call for an investigation in August and chastised Storch for not putting a resolution to investigate on the agenda. (See Plaintalker's August commentary on accreditation here)
In contrast to Taylor's depiction of Plainfield police, Crawford's letter states that under Riley's leadership, the division now has "structure, chain of command, and increased accountability of supervisors and officers."
"The Police Division now has a clear vision to address the best interest of Plainfield through accountability, division wide community policing, training, technology and better hiring practices," Crawford wrote. The letter also noted two police-sponsored community parties this summer, aimed at generating"positive interaction between the community and the police officers."
The letter concludes with a call for support from the governing body, whose members were copied on the correspondence.
"We don't need negative rhetoric in an attempt to derail our progression," Crawford writes. "Through some very troubling times, where the relationships are strained, at best, filled with doubt and a lack of trust," he says, "We should strive to be the example of police community relations by forging a positive working relationship and avoiding any negativity that could possibly derail our progression."
The letter is noted on the agenda for Monday's council meeting, 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Court, though no action is indicated.
So says a letter from PBA President Andre Crawford to City Council President Cory Storch in Monday's council packet that then describes new accountability and advances under Police Director Carl Riley, with a call for support from the governing body.
The letter echoes the message of a March presentation on police accreditation which detailed many improvements in local law enforcement, but failed to get full council support. Councilwoman Gloria Taylor had called for a council investigation of police "procedures and culture" and continued to do so in following months. A related issue, the alleged unfair treatment of Lt. Ken Reid, brought many speakers to the March meeting in support of Reid, including former Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp disclosed that five officers, both white and black, were facing disciplinary charges, but Reid supporters continued to allege racism in his case, even though details of the internal affairs matter were never disclosed. Reid has since retired.
Despite having drawn criticism for remarks on the 1967 killing of a police officer, Taylor repeated her call for an investigation in August and chastised Storch for not putting a resolution to investigate on the agenda. (See Plaintalker's August commentary on accreditation here)
In contrast to Taylor's depiction of Plainfield police, Crawford's letter states that under Riley's leadership, the division now has "structure, chain of command, and increased accountability of supervisors and officers."
"The Police Division now has a clear vision to address the best interest of Plainfield through accountability, division wide community policing, training, technology and better hiring practices," Crawford wrote. The letter also noted two police-sponsored community parties this summer, aimed at generating"positive interaction between the community and the police officers."
The letter concludes with a call for support from the governing body, whose members were copied on the correspondence.
"We don't need negative rhetoric in an attempt to derail our progression," Crawford writes. "Through some very troubling times, where the relationships are strained, at best, filled with doubt and a lack of trust," he says, "We should strive to be the example of police community relations by forging a positive working relationship and avoiding any negativity that could possibly derail our progression."
The letter is noted on the agenda for Monday's council meeting, 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Court, though no action is indicated.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Q&A With Developer Mario Camino
Mario Camino's vision for Park & Seventh
Developer Mario Camino agreed to do a Q&A on plans for his project at Park & Seventh as well as some thoughts on the city he has now made his home and headquarters for his company, Arkad Group. We hope to follow up with a longer interview soon.
Q. Besides the
Planning Board approval you received in April 2015, what other approvals have
you had to get?
A. The approval I got
from the board was conditional. The biggest challenge from that point until now
was to get an easement from the church next door.
Q. Your building
largely covers the lot. Have you made any arrangements with the church next
door for scaffolding, etc.?
A. Yes, mostly updating them on when things will
happen so it doesn't interfere with their sessions. No weekend work. The site
will also be fenced in and protected from debris.
Q. Are you still planning 14 apartments and
commercial on the ground floor?
A. Yes, we have also come to an agreement with PPD to have a
substation in the far right side of the East 7th side.
Q. When do you expect
construction/rehabilitation to begin?
A. We are hoping to have building permits within
90 days.
Q. What is your
general timeline for the project?
A. Nine months to one
year.
Q. You now have your
office and home in Plainfield. What are some of your thoughts about living in
Plainfield (people, places, things)?
A. My family feels safe and happy. My daughter is
excelling in QCA and we are happy to have our headquarters in town. Most of my
tenants are my neighbors and slowly but surely we feel right at home. That
being said, there is a lot of work to be done for the future, but I’m fully
vested and committed. Being a local allows me to see and feel this city for its
true value and potential.
Q. Any
thoughts/concerns about the neighborhood at Park & Seventh?
A. Lots. It’s a very visible and busy corner. We
want to make sure that this project serves as a means to bringing a new light
to that section of town.. A more modern and vibrant feel. I believe eventually,
the combination of upgraded living and proximity to a supermarket, train and
restaurants, will help revitalize this area. We plan on doing exactly
what we did with 107 Park. Reviving a “overlooked" corner of town.
The way we see it, (it’s) one of the most important points of access into the
city, on both streets. We want to make sure this project represents the new Plainfield.
'Tis Autumn!
The pods split and all the seeds emerge. We used to call the floating things "money catchers" when we were children.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
FOSH Celebrates Animals Sunday
This is a press release
Plainfield Celebration of Animals Sunday October 2 at 1:30 PM
The Friends of Sleepy Hollow (FOSH) Animal Initiative Committee is holding the seventeenth annual Celebration of Animals on Sunday October 2, 2016 at 1:30 PM at Leland Avenue Park, (next to Cook Elementary School, 739 Leland Ave.) Plainfield, New Jersey. The event is free of charge and open to everyone, with or without pets, to celebrate the importance of animals in the lives of human beings. “Anatole France’s quote ‘Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened,’ says it best,” said MaryEllen Chanda, Animal Initiative Celebration event chairwoman. Held in conjunction with the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, representatives of local religious and spiritual traditions will offer blessings for all animals. “All are welcome to bring their pets to receive a blessing,” said Mrs. Chanda. Birds must be caged, cats must be in carriers, and dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier. Pets that are uncomfortable around other animals should be left at home. A photo can be brought to represent them for a blessing. Water will be available for the animals and light refreshments will be served after the blessing. For more information about the Celebration please call 908.256-3858 or visit www.foshnj.com.
The Animal Initiative Committee (AIC) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to increasing people’s awareness of their responsibility for the well-being of all animals. The Committee was formed in March 2000 after Plainfield’s contracted animal control kennel was closed due to over 600 counts of animal cruelty. “Wildlife and companion animals are being needlessly killed due to inadequate facilities and lack of education programs,” said Mrs. Chanda. The AIC has always focused on the problem of overpopulation of dogs and cats, especially community cats. It implemented a very successful trap, neuter, and return (TNR) program for the latter. “We continue to emphasize the importance of the use of available spay/neuter programs in controlling dog and cat populations, but we can only succeed with the active support of both the community and City Administration,” Mrs. Chanda stressed. “We welcome volunteers to help with this important effort”, she concluded. For more information about the Animal Initiative Committee, please call 908.256-3858.
The Friends of Sleepy Hollow (FOSH) is a neighborhood association created by and for all citizens and taxpayers of Sleepy Hollow and surrounding neighborhoods in the City of Plainfield, New Jersey. FOSH was founded to
- foster neighborhood awareness, camaraderie, participation and image
- create and maintain secure neighborhoods
- promote neighborhood issues and concerns to city officials
- organize neighborhood activities for the benefit of the citizens of our community and Plainfield.
There are no membership requirements, dues or formal joining process for The Friends of Sleepy Hollow. The group believes that all the neighbors in Sleepy Hollow are its "members". Having the support, participation and suggestions of our members is critical to FOSH's success. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to join any planned activity that we host. For more information about FOSH, please visit: www.foshnj.com
Be Prepared to Vote on Nov. 8!
If you missed the Plainfield League of Women Voters' presentation last night on how to judge a political candidate, here is a link;
How To Judge A Political Candidate
The evening also included presentations by city officials on their various responsibilities and tables staffed by local organizations.
The LWV information may help voters sort out their impressions of presidential candidates. There will also be candidates for Congress, the Union County Freeholder Board and the Citywide at-large and Third Ward seats on the City Council.
Plainfield LWV member Joylette Mills-Ransome gave the presentation last night on how to judge candidates. If you want to get involved in the Plainfield LWV, the group meets on the first Wednesday of each month in one of the Plainfield Public Library's meeting rooms on the lower level. To see more about the local chapter, visit the Plainfield LWV web site.
How To Judge A Political Candidate
The evening also included presentations by city officials on their various responsibilities and tables staffed by local organizations.
The LWV information may help voters sort out their impressions of presidential candidates. There will also be candidates for Congress, the Union County Freeholder Board and the Citywide at-large and Third Ward seats on the City Council.
Plainfield LWV member Joylette Mills-Ransome gave the presentation last night on how to judge candidates. If you want to get involved in the Plainfield LWV, the group meets on the first Wednesday of each month in one of the Plainfield Public Library's meeting rooms on the lower level. To see more about the local chapter, visit the Plainfield LWV web site.
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