Having developed a cough to go with my ongoing stomach ache, I spent the evening in bed. Upon getting up at 2:30 a.m., I found a rare midnight scoop by Dan, who usually posts closer to noon.
Who is Carl Riley? Dan explains, saving me a lot of searching on the interwebs. Riley was among individuals who were interviewed by the City Council in closed session on Dec. 30, while the public milled around the rotunda for an hour and a half. As Dan explains, Riley is the acting police director and Rick Smiley is the acting city administrator.
Rick Smiley was among interviewees on Dec. 16 at the agenda-fixing session for the annual reorganization. So was Siddeeq El-Amin, who alleged he was rejected as a candidate for director of Public Affairs & Safety in an email quoted by Dr. Yood.
No name has yet been offered for the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services, though Ron West was interviewed and expected by many to be the choice.
Storm or no storm, the cabinet will eventually emerge.
I am trying various means to settle my stomach and my nerves (new aromatherapy locket, for one) but may have to turn myself in to the medical authorities. Luckily for the public the thin line of bloggers has broadened with the advent of David Rutherford, who is all up on social media and multimedia and has been doing a good job of informing the public. See his blog here
The reorganization is still on for Monday at 6 p.m. in Plainfield High School. According to Dan, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp will seek City Council advice and consent to his appointments then.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A Tale of Two Web Sites
That is, if you are looking at plainfield.com
Above is a screen shot just taken at plainfieldnj.gov
The ,gov site is more recent and was deemed more appropriate for a municipality. Depending what you have bookmarked, you might be seeing the image above or this one at the .com address:
Well, because there are still two, both should be cleaned up, or at least preference given to the .gov site. One could keep the .com with a redirect to .gov.if it is so important to retain both.
Transitions are never easy and the new administration doesn't need a chorus of advice. Or maybe they do in this case at least, if nobody thought out the ramifications of having two existing web sites and updating the old one rather than the new one.
--Bernice
Check Out the City Web Site
In a time of transition, the curious are always looking for clues as to how it is going.
That's why it is odd to see the mix of old and new information on the city web site. The home page features Mayor Mapp on the changing "carousel" listing inaugural activities day by day, but to the left is the smiling face of the mayor whose term has ended.
The "Mayor's Corner" link does have Mapp's image and bio, which is proper (and informative).
Under City Administrator, Rick Smiley is listed as "Acting City Administrator." How can that be, with no council action? It is the mayor's prerogative to name cabinet members in acting capacity for 90 days if he wishes.
Eric Jackson remains in charge of Public Works & Urban Development, as Mapp indicated last month. Jackson has impressed many since coming to Plainfield in September 2011 and even though he is running for mayor in Trenton, the election there is not until May. By then, a candidate for the four-year term concurrent with the mayor's may emerge.
The Department of Public Affairs & Safety still has Martin Hellwig's name and the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services still lists Al Restaino as being in charge. PA&S, as we see from Doc's Potpourri, has a situation that will not be easily solved if in fact the police union expects to dictate who becomes their boss. As for AFH&SS, maybe some light will be shed at the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting at Plainfield High School.
In Plaintalker's opinion, there is no excuse for the wildly garbled information on the 'crawl" at the left of the home page.
I almost hesitate to post it, as it is so egregiously wrong, but obviously the 2014 reorganization couldn't happen in December 2013. It seems almost impish to put up such bad information. Anyone with a sense of how Plainfield government works would know this is a howler. And yet there it is. I was told last week it was going to be corrected.
That's why it is odd to see the mix of old and new information on the city web site. The home page features Mayor Mapp on the changing "carousel" listing inaugural activities day by day, but to the left is the smiling face of the mayor whose term has ended.
The "Mayor's Corner" link does have Mapp's image and bio, which is proper (and informative).
Under City Administrator, Rick Smiley is listed as "Acting City Administrator." How can that be, with no council action? It is the mayor's prerogative to name cabinet members in acting capacity for 90 days if he wishes.
Eric Jackson remains in charge of Public Works & Urban Development, as Mapp indicated last month. Jackson has impressed many since coming to Plainfield in September 2011 and even though he is running for mayor in Trenton, the election there is not until May. By then, a candidate for the four-year term concurrent with the mayor's may emerge.
The Department of Public Affairs & Safety still has Martin Hellwig's name and the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services still lists Al Restaino as being in charge. PA&S, as we see from Doc's Potpourri, has a situation that will not be easily solved if in fact the police union expects to dictate who becomes their boss. As for AFH&SS, maybe some light will be shed at the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting at Plainfield High School.
In Plaintalker's opinion, there is no excuse for the wildly garbled information on the 'crawl" at the left of the home page.
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I almost hesitate to post it, as it is so egregiously wrong, but obviously the 2014 reorganization couldn't happen in December 2013. It seems almost impish to put up such bad information. Anyone with a sense of how Plainfield government works would know this is a howler. And yet there it is. I was told last week it was going to be corrected.
Anyone entrusted with conveying information to the public and who puts up such blatant misinformation should not be invited to the new administration.
The City Council reorganization is 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Plainfield High School. I join Dr. Yood in advising the public to speak out and also to make their opinions known through voting for candidates who are up to the task of serving the city.
--Bernice
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Inaugural, Feast Highlight New Year's Day 2014
Rev. Tracey Brown gave greetings from the council
Preparing for the Oath of Office
A bagpiper honors the new mayor
All are invited to Plainfield High School for "The People's Feast"
For more photos and some videos, check David Rutherford's blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. Lamar Mackson was also taping for PCTV. There were also numerous photographers on hand, some of whom made me realize what photo-bombing is as I tried to get shots with the itty-bitty Sony Cybershot and they moved in with their big equipment.
Don't forget: Reorganization is 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Plainfield High School!
People's Inaugural at Noon Today
Today at noon at City Hall, Mayor Adrian Mapp will launch his "People's Inaugural" and a week of related events. All are invited, as he notes on his blog here.
The January council meetings after the reorganization will be an agenda-fixing session at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 and a regular meeting at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Plaintalker hopes to see good communication, collegiality and competence demonstrated by all elected and appointed officials in 2014.
A New Year's Resolution
Looking for a New Year's resolution for 2014?
Try the 52-week Money Challenge.
I heard about it last year from David Holmes of The Computer Store on Park Avenue and decided to see whether he carried it through.Yes, he did, he told me Tuesday. If occasionally he had to borrow from the fund, he charged himself a $5 penalty, so he finished the year with about $1,500.
Holmes said auxiliaries at his church have adopted the challenge as a way to support their activities and several church members took part in the challenge as well.
I did not do it - got the rules mixed up and it sounded too difficult. Now that I understand it, I think I will do it.
Good health and prosperity are two standard wishes for the New Year. Here's a way to take some action on the latter.
--Bernice
Try the 52-week Money Challenge.
I heard about it last year from David Holmes of The Computer Store on Park Avenue and decided to see whether he carried it through.Yes, he did, he told me Tuesday. If occasionally he had to borrow from the fund, he charged himself a $5 penalty, so he finished the year with about $1,500.
Holmes said auxiliaries at his church have adopted the challenge as a way to support their activities and several church members took part in the challenge as well.
I did not do it - got the rules mixed up and it sounded too difficult. Now that I understand it, I think I will do it.
Good health and prosperity are two standard wishes for the New Year. Here's a way to take some action on the latter.
--Bernice
A Portent of Things to Come?
Just for the record ...
Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp named several cabinet members at the Dec. 16 agenda fixing session, along with legal and court staff, but stated he would not be seeking reappointment of Public Defender Joy Spriggs. On Monday, six people protested his rejection of Spriggs, including two sisters, her brother-in-law, nephew and two others.
It happened during public comment at the end of the meeting, meaning Spriggs' supporters had waited through an hour and a half delay in starting the meeting, then through the votes on filling the Third Ward vacancy and naming people to the African Caribbean Commission and the Community Emergency Response team.
Only then did a woman come forward to make what she called "a prepared statement" to Mapp, who, having resigned Friday, was no longer part of the council and was sitting in the audience.
"I ask you to please tell me why you would like to begin your tenure being somewhat vindictive," Latoya Sample began.
Her cryptic remark soon turned out to be about Spriggs. She said the council had been informed that a "personal crisis" existed and then referenced being sick herself and let go "in the middle of life-sustaining treatment." After more remarks, she ended by saying, "Joy Spriggs Weatherly deserves to keep her position for personal reasons."
It still was unclear what the crisis was, when Spriggs' sister, Wilma Campbell, came to the microphone, and said she was at the meeting "on a personal note."
"I'm very emotional about this," she said. "My sister, Joy Spriggs, has been the public defender for 12 years"'
Campbell said Spriggs was one of the few "or maybe only" Plainfield resident being removed from the legal staff by the mayor-elect. Campbell said she appealed to Mapp at the Kwanzaa event and recalled personally working for him and said she was one of the people who "resurrected" his political career.
(The Campbells backed Mapp when he ran off the line and won in the Democratic 2008 primary.)
More details emerged as Wilma Campbell said it was Spriggs' husband who was ill, and noted "everyone in this room" could be one doctor's visit away from illness.
"I appealed to Mr. Mapp to have a heart. Have a heart."
Saying she was appealing to the council and thanking them for support, she voiced hope that "the mayor-elect can put political maneuverings aside."
She said her appeal to Mapp was based "maybe on the memory of a friendship."
"God only knows what help one might need," she said. "Have a heart."
Next up was attorney Brian C. Lorio of Montclair, who said Spriggs was a mentor to him. He also spoke of the need for people to represent the community when serving as public defender. He said to Mapp, "I strongly recommend you reconsider."
John Campbell, brother-in-law of Spriggs, spoke next and all his remarks can be heard on David Rutherford's video.
Always a clever speaker, he wove together several themes - the need to avoid "snake pit politics," Spriggs' tenacity in educating herself though she was one of 11 children raised in the projects; her specific need right now; how Mapp might be only a chest pain away from catastrophic illness, and so on.
Among his summations: "It's a wise man that changes his mind" and "I think this is what Jesus would do if he was in your position."
The Campbells' son, also named John, made a short speech in favor of his aunt, calling her his role model and citing her involvement in youth sports.
"She's definitely a fixture in the Plainfield community,' he said, asking Mapp to reconsider appointing Spriggs.
Next, Ellen Carter Haygood spoke in support of her "baby sister."
"A human heart is what we need" to have Spriggs stay, she said. Speaking of an "ironic division of church and state," she said, "I serve a mighty God - you can be touched by His spirit. I ask you to take the time to consider Joy Spriggs. Have a human, sensitive heart for a person in need."
... and so it goes as 2013 ends and 2014 begins.
Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp named several cabinet members at the Dec. 16 agenda fixing session, along with legal and court staff, but stated he would not be seeking reappointment of Public Defender Joy Spriggs. On Monday, six people protested his rejection of Spriggs, including two sisters, her brother-in-law, nephew and two others.
It happened during public comment at the end of the meeting, meaning Spriggs' supporters had waited through an hour and a half delay in starting the meeting, then through the votes on filling the Third Ward vacancy and naming people to the African Caribbean Commission and the Community Emergency Response team.
Only then did a woman come forward to make what she called "a prepared statement" to Mapp, who, having resigned Friday, was no longer part of the council and was sitting in the audience.
"I ask you to please tell me why you would like to begin your tenure being somewhat vindictive," Latoya Sample began.
Her cryptic remark soon turned out to be about Spriggs. She said the council had been informed that a "personal crisis" existed and then referenced being sick herself and let go "in the middle of life-sustaining treatment." After more remarks, she ended by saying, "Joy Spriggs Weatherly deserves to keep her position for personal reasons."
It still was unclear what the crisis was, when Spriggs' sister, Wilma Campbell, came to the microphone, and said she was at the meeting "on a personal note."
"I'm very emotional about this," she said. "My sister, Joy Spriggs, has been the public defender for 12 years"'
Campbell said Spriggs was one of the few "or maybe only" Plainfield resident being removed from the legal staff by the mayor-elect. Campbell said she appealed to Mapp at the Kwanzaa event and recalled personally working for him and said she was one of the people who "resurrected" his political career.
(The Campbells backed Mapp when he ran off the line and won in the Democratic 2008 primary.)
More details emerged as Wilma Campbell said it was Spriggs' husband who was ill, and noted "everyone in this room" could be one doctor's visit away from illness.
"I appealed to Mr. Mapp to have a heart. Have a heart."
Saying she was appealing to the council and thanking them for support, she voiced hope that "the mayor-elect can put political maneuverings aside."
She said her appeal to Mapp was based "maybe on the memory of a friendship."
"God only knows what help one might need," she said. "Have a heart."
Next up was attorney Brian C. Lorio of Montclair, who said Spriggs was a mentor to him. He also spoke of the need for people to represent the community when serving as public defender. He said to Mapp, "I strongly recommend you reconsider."
John Campbell, brother-in-law of Spriggs, spoke next and all his remarks can be heard on David Rutherford's video.
Always a clever speaker, he wove together several themes - the need to avoid "snake pit politics," Spriggs' tenacity in educating herself though she was one of 11 children raised in the projects; her specific need right now; how Mapp might be only a chest pain away from catastrophic illness, and so on.
Among his summations: "It's a wise man that changes his mind" and "I think this is what Jesus would do if he was in your position."
The Campbells' son, also named John, made a short speech in favor of his aunt, calling her his role model and citing her involvement in youth sports.
"She's definitely a fixture in the Plainfield community,' he said, asking Mapp to reconsider appointing Spriggs.
Next, Ellen Carter Haygood spoke in support of her "baby sister."
"A human heart is what we need" to have Spriggs stay, she said. Speaking of an "ironic division of church and state," she said, "I serve a mighty God - you can be touched by His spirit. I ask you to take the time to consider Joy Spriggs. Have a human, sensitive heart for a person in need."
... and so it goes as 2013 ends and 2014 begins.
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