In Plainfield, church ladies no doubt have the edge, but Assemblyman Jerry Green kept his hat Monday as chairman of the Democratic City Committee and expects to don another Tuesday as chairman of the Union County Democratic Committee.
"I don't want to keep you all night, because tomorrow is the big night," Green told the committee members before they voted him chairman for another two-year term
At the reorganization meeting, Green preached solidarity now through November and will keep the Dems' Front Street campaign headquarters open to deal with the August primary and October election for a successor to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Green said he is asking all Democrats to put their differences on the side and prepare to "start healing the city." In the June 4 Democratic primary, Councilman Adrian Mapp defeated two-term Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs in a repeat match of the 2009 primary that she won with party support. This time, Mapp had the line and his New Democrats club members toiled alongside the Regular Democrats to achieve a decisive win.
Across the state, many Democrats in elected office are declaring support for Gov. Chris Christie's re-election in November, but Green said Monday, "There's no room for Republicans in our house."
Green called his 68-member committee a "smooth machine" as he looks forward to Democratic Party leadership of all 21 municipalities in Union County.
In other business Monday, the committee elected officers and ward leaders. The officers are:
- First vice-chair, Freeholder Linda Carter
- Second vice-chair, Jamar Cherry
-Third vice-chair, Councilwoman Rebecca Williams
- Fourth vice-chair, Harold Gibson
- Recording secretary, Gloria Parker
- Corresponding secretary, Marie Davis
- Treasurer, Mary Burgwinkle
- Sergeant-at-arms, Linward Cathcart
Ward leaders are:
Ward 1, Norman Johnson
Ward 2, Jeanette Criscione
Ward 3 , John Stewart
Ward 4, Vera Greaves
Green made it clear he will brook no dissension in the party.
"I can accept Democrats disagreeing, but when you cross the line there's no coming back," he warned. "When you make a decision, think about how it will affect everybody else in the room."
"That has been the problem in Plainfield," he said. "Don't come here and get our blessing, and go out and do what you want to do," he said.
--Bernice
It is unfortunate that persons not elected by the registered democratic residents of Plainfield are being appointed to the committee leadership positions, eg: Rebecca Williams and Linda Carter, (and of course Jerry Green).
ReplyDeletePreviously Rebecca was outspoken about such appointments. What's with that?
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteRegarding the PDCC officers, one slate was put forth, and it was voted on by the whole committee, so I don't know what "Anonymous at 11:07 pm" is talking about. I am unsure what he/she means by having the officers "elected by the registered democratic residents of Plainfield." Does he/she mean that the 11,000+ voters should have another election just to vote for the officers for the PDCC?? That doesn't make sense. The 68-members of the PDCC were elected by the voters (all registered Democrats) of Plainfield in the 34 voting districts, and they (as the elected district Democratic representatives), in turn, elected the officers. Other nominations were asked for, but none were forthcoming. The vote then occurred and was unanimously passed. That is how it is done everywhere. Now, when I decided to run for city council, I went before the committee to ask for its vote, but there was no vote, which is what I complained about. I ran anyway, and I won. My issue of contention with the committee has to do with how those who get the line to run for council are chosen, and how the three names put forth to appoint in the event of a council vacancy are chosen--I feel that there should always be a vote by the members of the committee. I have taken this position ever since I became involved in local politics. It remains my position. Perhaps a bylaws review is in order.
Rebecca
The fault to Mr. Green's philosophy is not how those decisions affect "everybody else in the room", but how those decisions affect nearly 50,000 people who are not in the room.
ReplyDeleteThere is a problem when the Democrats' elected party representatives hand over their leadership roles to officers that have not been elected to the committee, especially in the pseudo-democracy of party politics. I don't buy Rebecca's excuses. It highlights the shallowness of the New Dems. I think we all know it is about the power. They've been unable to articulate much beyond the fact that they're not Sharon. Now they're falling into line like good little soldiers ready to get their marching orders.
ReplyDeleteRebecca continue to fall in line like a sweet little girl. You yelled the most when you oppsed the same things that are going on in the party right now. Stop be double standard when it comes justifying what you guys do that is totally wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe entire committee approved the slate, so are they all wrong?
DeleteCome on Bernice, I can't imagine that the committee members had a choice.
DeleteWas Rebecca there? Did she voice disapproval ?
Usually she is the only one that speaks up about these inequalities.
Bernice, The New Democrats opposed Green. Now they are bowing. How come he is so saintly all of a sudden?
DeleteBergwinkel, Mapp, Williams have all sold their soul to Green.
Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Democratic Party is our only hope for the City.
ReplyDeleteThe entire committee had back room deals. Rebecca Williams was had the loudest voice when the committee did this before because it didn't work in her favor. Plainfiwlsd get ready for the same ole same thing. We will havw essex county running CITY HALL, and union county making DEALS. This is very upsetting to us little people. I will be VOTING independent in the fall.
ReplyDeletethe chorus of koumbaya spread across the city in the new found spirit of love, peace and cooperation amongst the local Democrats letting the people of the city see they were finally actually going to be a concern of them as opposed to their petty in-fighting and back room shady deals that have done nothing to further the city being the raison d'etre of the Local Democrats.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on realizing you've done nothing but squander the hopes of the people of the city. When you actually work together for 4, 8, 12 yrs maybe then we the citizens will consider congratulating you actually acting like civic minded adults.
It's ironic that so many people posting here - and it's the same with comments on other Plainfield blogs - don't hesitate to attack other folks, yet they sign their posts "anonymous."
ReplyDeleteYour post is anonymous too - is it not?
DeleteBernice, I agree with Jan. To all those commentators who have taken issue with Assemblyman Green, Freeholder Carter and Councilwoman Williams (and yes, she is a woman not a "sweet little girl" (code words from the past and present), you say you want them to stand up for principals and fairness and be outspoken. Well, that goes both ways. To sign your comments as anonymous is doing that which you charge them of doing, hiding in the "back room." It devalues anything you might say. So stand up and sign your name, unless of course you prefer backrooms and inequalities.
ReplyDeleteThus speaks the parliamentarian, who as usual conducted the election: According to the Plainfield Dem Com Bylaws, the chair and the other officers don't have to be committee members. The elected committee members make the decision. Other nominations were asked for and none were made.
ReplyDeleteTo 10:58, does it really matter how you sign your post. If I sign my name Marylou, will you know who I am? I echo the same sentiment as everyone else that posted on this blog subject, Old Dems, New Dems, Sharon or Mapp, we will only have more of the same so please don’t expect any real positive change. What’s ironic is that we keep putting the same people back in office. Real change would be to dethrone Jerry Green; now that would be a change in the right direction. 22 years of destroying Plainfield is more than any town should be burden with.
ReplyDeleteMarylou, Karenbeth, Sallyann Joeair or Guesswho
People please! Mapp hasen't even raised his hand for the office (he still as Nov, to get through), and already people are predicting his downfall.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is Sharon was a lousy manager, leader, visionary, and couldn't manage ants going into an ant hole.
Her skills vary widely from Mapp's who is a numbers guy, and has municipal experience.
Stop the snarkiness, understand that the next mayor (hopefully) will be more professional that the last, and will bring that professionalism to Plainfield.
You can't compare the two, therefore, you cannot expect the same from the two.
Really, Plainfield, when will you stop being victims, stop always assuming the worst, and get off your bottoms and help make this city better?
There is no hope for Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteHere lies Plainfield "The Queen City"
Fallen victim to the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations.
RIP
Well put!!! 6:58am
DeleteTo 6:58am I say AMEN. But I also say, let's turn this around and get some self-respect.
ReplyDeleteBoss Green speaks. New Democrats scurry and kneel.
ReplyDelete