Monday's City Council agenda includes a resolution to reimburse the only three businesses that made donations for "Welcome to Plainfield" signs.
Solicitations were made to businesses in Plainfield's Urban Enterprise Zone in August 2014 and in September 2014 to an expanded list for a total of 253 contacts. Another 163 vendors in Plainfield, Scotch Plains and South Plainfield as well as real estate agents and bankers were invited to be sponsors in October 2014, but despite all the efforts, only three agreed to donate $2,000 each.
As listed in the resolution, those who agreed to be sponsors were Rapp's Pharmacy, the law office of Thomas E. Hood and a transportation company, Amaker & Porterfield. They will be reimbursed.
The sign design had been somewhat controversial when unveiled in 2014, as noted here and here. The new signs were meant to replace older ones at gateways to the city, many of which were damaged or deteriorated.
Commentary: The concept deserves another try, perhaps with a simpler design. City merchants and professionals receive many requests for donations; maybe there is another source of funds to be found. Recently developers have been asked to consider contributions to community organizations or facilities. If welcome signs are an allowable category, a developer might be inclined to donate toward the cost. One developer has agreed to maintain Plainwood Square Park and contribute to costs of events there, which might free up some Special Improvement District money for welcome signs. All avenues are worth exploring.
Note to readers: Friday's posts on City Council agenda items may deserve a look if you were too busy to catch them earlier.
--Bernice
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There should be a standard "Welcome to Plainfield --- Lock your Doors"
ReplyDeleteOh c'mon - when I lived in Millington (pop. 3,000) I didn't lock my car or door all the time, but Plainfield is an urban center and all urban centers require safety measures.
DeleteWe would be hard-press to find one state,city or community that doesn't have any crime. A lack of gangs doesn't mean a lack of crime. Rapists, thieves, murderers, terrorist and overall degenerates live everywhere. Policing and locking ones doors is common sense in these days and times.
DeleteRB
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
DeleteThere should be a standard Plainfield sign - Welcome to Plainfield - You will love it here!
ReplyDeleteI dont know about loving it, liking it, yes. Loving is a bit of a stretch.
DeleteThe sponsorship amount is excessive. The signs dont cost anywhere near that amount. It cant be for maintaining them. Look at the ones in disrepair.
ReplyDelete