Thursday, October 31, 2013

LWV Forum Draws Large Crowd

LWV Moderator Marlene Sincaglia and mayoral candidates D. Scott Belin, Adrian Mapp, Mustapha Muhammad and Sandy Spector

(While I was on the phone with my daughter in Seattle Wednesday night, Dr. Yood filed a fairly complete summary of the goings-on at the Plainfield League of Women Voters candidates' forum. My blog post will also be an overview. The meeting was taped and residents are promised it will be on local cable Friday night or Saturday morning.) 

About 125 residents turned out Wednesday night for the last of three candidates' forums for the Nov. 5 general election. The Plainfield League of Women Voters hosted the meeting at Emerson School. 

4th Ward City Council, four-year term
Incumbent Democrat Bridget Rivers and Republican Barbara Johnson are on the ballot, but Johnson was absent Wednesday. Neither provided answers to LWV questions published here, but Rivers was permitted to read a statement at the forum.

Board of Education, three three-year seats 
This portion could be sub-titled "Fumbles and Zingers," as some candidates seemed unprepared and, as Dr. Yood noted, passed or gave generic responses to audience questions read by moderator Marlene Sincaglia of the Berkeley Heights LWV. Incumbents Wilma Campbell, with nine years' tenure, and Frederick Moore with a year of service had the edge in answering questions about board responsibilities. Their running mate, David Rutherford, joined Campbell in tossing barbs at the slate Democratic party chairman Jerry Green announced generically on June 4 as a ”black female, a Latino, and a white male gay.”. By coincidence, just as Green walked into the meeting, Campbell was declaring, "The Green team would not have a clue about education." 
Of the three, Deborah Clarke, Anabella Melgar and Richard Lear, only Lear presented information gleaned from the state Department of Education on test scores and other indications of a need for change on the board. But Campbell refuted his statistics, saying they were outdated, and cited an increased graduation rate and other numbers as proof of district improvement.

Rutherford noted Green's slate had little or no prior attendance at board meetings and asked, "Would you want a deacon who never attended a service?"

'If they are allowed to win, this comedy will become a tragedy," Rutherford said.

Lear brought up a state comptroller report that questioned $59,000 in legal bills and said the district pays $71 per pupil in legal fees while the state average is $36.

"Au contraire!" Campbell thundered, defending the board.

"People, wake up - the children are watching," she said, calling the rival slate "a motley crew."

Campbell's slate is backed by her husband, John, who is also backing their son John for an Assembly seat in District 22, where Green is seeking re-election.

Mayoral seat, four-year term 

Independents Mustapha Muhammad and D. Scott Belin are challenging Democrat Adrian Mapp and Republican Sandy Spector in the mayoral race. Mapp defeated incumbent Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs in the June primary, setting the stage for a new administration after her eight-year tenure.

All four contenders have been campaigning for months. Mapp stressed his experience as a councilman and freeholder Wednesday, while Belin and Muhammad said they are lifelong Plainfielders and Spector cited a need for bipartisanship in the city. The forum was heavy on slogans: Muhammad's "New Beginning," Mapp's "One Plainfield" and Belin's "Put Plainfield First." In her call for bipartisanship in a place where Democrats now outnumber Republicans 15 to 1, Spector said, "Open the doors, open the windows, open the curtain."

Perhaps the top issue is what will become of the former Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center campus, which has only a satellite emergency room since the hospital closed five years ago. JFK Health Systems has proposed a 600-unit apartment complex on the site and the city recently approved its own study of possible uses for the site. While all rejected the apartment development, the candidates differed on what should happen at the site. Belin said it is in limbo, but he wants to "leverage the fact that they do owe us money," referring to a possible tax liability on the property.

"The tax hammer we can use at any time," Mapp said, suggesting development of something like the Summit Medical Group, though detecting "no desire on the part of the owners to have the facility provide medical service."

Muhammad said the city needs transparency on the subject, as he believes there is privileged information on the issue that "doesn't get beyond a select few."

On the subject of bringing new business to the city, Mapp said he will "market the city of Plainfield like it has never been marketed before" and vowed to hire a deputy economic director.

Spector agreed on the need for an in-house economic director.

Belin said for change, "The first step is to elect me."

Muhammad said the key was "unity in the community."

On how to halt the foreclosure rate, Belin said it was not the mayor's job.

"The mayor's not a banker," he said.

Mapp agreed that the administration can't stop foreclosures, but can provide advice that can help people.

Muhammad concurred on the need for information and so did Spector, saying, "Information is power."

For full coverage, Plaintalker hopes voters will look for the forum to appear on Channel 96 or 34  as city Media Manager Lamar Mackson pledged. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Winners will take office on Jan. 1.


17 comments:

  1. It's incredible to me that Rivers, Johnson, Melgar and Belin could not be bothered to answer the two simple questions posed to them by the LWV. Of the ones that did answer, Moore and Mapp were sucinct and to the point, Spector was the most polemic, Rutherford the most self-congratulatory, followed closely by Lear, and Campbell packed the most bs into the shortest reply. Mohammad: best ghostwriter.

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  2. October 31,2013. 10:36AM

    I attended the LWV and Mr. D.Scott Belin was most impressive. Mr.Mapp has touted his experience, yet he has been part of the problem over his tenure on the council and has in many ways stifled the present mayor and not helped Plainfield. Mr.Mapp has called for a forensic audit - yet he did not do so for the UCIA building - where Plainfield was given a settlement on money owed. Why did we not get all the money owed to Plainfield. Mr. Belin has more work experience than Mr. Mapp and Plainfield needs a mayor who understands business - party politics has gotten us in the predicament we are presently in. We can vote for more of the same or a true change agent in Mr.D. Scott Belin. How soon before Green and Mapp have a falling out at the expense of Plainfield? We have seen it before - let's not fall for it again. The other candidates once again have attempted to adopt Mr.Belin's platform - they are already following his leadership - we should elect him Mayor. It seemed very curious that many people who support Mr. Mapp's campaign were working the forum, curious - Veronica the timekeeper is one example and it seemed Mr. Belin's time was cut short at least twice. I'm just saying...

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    1. Great. Let's elect two people who have no clue about government.

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  3. I am sorry if you felt I slighted the LWV in any way by not responding to the questions they sent out. Due to illness I did not respond in time for the publication. I however did follow up and made the forum where I participated. I would have been glad to speak with you if you were at the forum and wanted to know my views beyond the session. You can visit our website - www.putplainfieldfirst.com for additional insight. If you wish to learn more you are welcome to stop by campaign HQ Friday 6 - 8 at 508 Watchung Ave for a open house and meet the candidate. I look forward to meeting you and answering your questions.
    Best regards,

    D. Scott Belin, PMP

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  4. October 31,2013. 10:40AM

    I attended the LWV last night and Mr. D Scott Belin was the best and most impressive candidate. Mr. Belin is a lifetime resident and the most work experience. Mr. Belin you got my vote. Great Debate.

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    1. I attended and thought Mapp exhibited the most experience, and actually had a grasp on what needs to be done in the city.

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  5. I find it insulting to the voting public of Plainfield that Jerry Green would bring people like Deborah Clarke and Anabella Melgar to the table and just assume that we will vote for them because he says so. Nothing personal against either ladies, but neither one of them have a clue as to what they are running for. Their blatant lack of understanding, knowledge and communication skills alone leaves no doubt that they have nothing of substance to offer as school board candidates. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON YOU JERRY GREEN. This is another reason why Jerry Green does not deserve to be re-elected. Either Jerry thinks we are all fools or he truly believes that we will blindly follow him without question, wait a minute, isn’t that the same as being a fool?

    KS

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    1. I agree with you. Jerry's slate is an embarrassment. Richard Lear is a neighbor and someone I believe to be capable, smart, and a person who would be a good BOE member, but not so smart to avoid this travesty. Whatever you may think of the Slam Team, good, bad, or indifferent, the idea that you can run for office without having attended any meetings or be otherwise engaged in the district is crazy; not even after announcing your candidacy months ago!. The gap of understanding is bigger than the Grand Canyon. So I will split my vote against both the Green and Campbell machines. Only this way will the city come out ahead.

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    2. So you feel the same way about the mayor, since I have not seen Belin or Muhammed at any council meeting until last month

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    3. It's not so much the meetings, it's the engagement and understanding of what's going on. But if you've got no understanding and don't even bother to attend any meetings, you get what you got the other day, a huge gulf that was obvious to everyone (except for maybe Dan Damon who seemed to attend a different forum). The issues confronting the schools and the city are complex and cannot be boiled down to just rattling off a few numbers from a couple of reports. If you say we're at point A (bad) but want to get to point B (good), at least tell us what you think needs to be done to get there. As I indicated previously, I'm splitting my vote, 3-4-5, Moore, Lear, and Rutherford. Basically new blood with less baggage.

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  6. All questions were answered in the amount of time allowed by the LWV!!!

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  7. Pat Turner KavanaughOctober 31, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    No Name 10:36: I speak here as an individual, a resident of Plainfield for 68 years. I do belong to the Plainfield LWV, in fact, I am secretary. Somerset County has no LWV chapters - but plenty of people who could volunteer for this important civic responsibility.. Union County has a couple of LWV chapters, several merged, but none like poor, downtrodden Plainfield - which had one of the earliest LWV chapters, elected the first male president - Herb Green - the moment the organization permitted male officers; Herb held the office again, 20 years later. The LWV welcomes men and women. Roni Taylor served as a timer because someone else was late; Councilwoman Rebecca Williams passed out fie cards and picked them up because she belongs to the LWV and helps out. I am one of the City's pitifully few registered Republicans and will vote for Sandy Spector. I hope you noticed than when I picked up your question cards, I folded them in half, before delivering them to the moderator.You don't like the way the LWV runs its forum? Join the Plainfield League and make improvements. Leave your contact information on our web site. Talk to me or any of us: Regina Bagley, Joylette Mills-Ransom, Rupert Crawford, Alice Logie, Rebecca Williams, Roni Taylor,. Leave a message for me in the Children's Library at the PPL (you should visit whether or not),Ask Dan Damon or Bernice Paglia, Old Doc or Maria Pellum- all of them can reach us. We meet at the PPL usually the first Wednesday of every month. You wanna time our Fora? We'd enjoy your help..

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    1. PTK,

      Having done this before, and also being involved in a organization that works equally as hard as the LWV, I echo your words and your passion. Everyone is a critic but very few jump at the opportunity to be involved. If you don't agree join in and lend your expertise. I commend you, your president and your members on a job well done. Never mind those critics......

      Peter B

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  8. Pat Turner KavanaughOctober 31, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    ptk again: Bernice - as soon as the LWV receives the information from PCTC, we will let everyone know when they can watch the debate on Comcast or FIOS. I'm sure this information will also be emailed to those who have signed up. And on the City web site.

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  9. My Reason Why, D S Belin for Mayor!

    I have followed the candidates for mayor over the past couple of weeks, and I have finally narrowed my decision to which candidate I feel will be the best choice for the office mayor of Plainfield. My reasons are, Plainfield the Queen City needs the chance to grow and develop into its beauty. Two of the candidates, I would thank them for their strengths, and willingness to put themselves forward in their hopes to change the future of Plainfield. At this time I feel they lack the over all, skills that the Mayor of Plainfield needs. The final two candidates both have their professional degrees and years of experience, which is what is needed to guide the mayor in the decisions that will have to be made for the future of Plainfield. With all the economical development that are planned and the ones that are needed within the city, we need a mayor who we can trust to guide us into future. Mr. Mapp speaks of his years of service on the council, but he does not tell us what he has accomplished. He speaks of new ideals, where was these ideals before the election cycle. All I can remember is the division that has developed between him and the present Mayor. I find it hard to trust him to do any thing difference. We have already given him time to do what is right for the city of Plainfield. His decision to run on the A line also proves to me that he will put others interest before us The Citizens of Plainfield. My Vote is to Put Plainfield First. Mr. D. Scott Belin is a Professional PMP with over 30 years of management experience in the corporate environment. He manages multiple projects and department as part of him professional experience. We need someone who can manage all the resources within the city, and to improve on the quality of services. We need someone who is able to negotiate with the council, the County, and the State for what we deserve. We need someone who knows how to communicate with developers, to create grow within the city and to raise the quality of life in Plainfield. To me it’s simple, I vote for change; Mr. D Scott Belin has all the skills needed to create change, and to be our next Mayor.


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  10. Adrian Mapp is not the mayor, and your expectations of what he should have accomplished are out of line. I find it curious that people do not understand that running the government is a collaboration, not an individual contributor function. I also have a PMP and an MBA. Running the city has nothing to do with alphabet soup after your name, is has to do with navigating the fine line between those can help you and want to, and those can help you and do not want to.

    It would be great if politics were as simple as you make it. It is not, and Mr. Belin, while smart, hasn't a clue.

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    1. If being the current mayor's nemesis counts, then Mr. Mapp wins hands down as a successful politician. Time will tell if there's anything more to it than that, or if the 'help' is for the man or the many.

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