Audience outbursts at Wednesday's League of Women Voters candidates' forum included one so intense that moderator Ann Armstrong delivered a timeout by walking away from the podium.
After the meeting, she could be heard asking LWV members whether two previous forums had reached that pitch. The loudest yelling broke out when Mayor Adrian O. Mapp challenged Rev. Tracey Brown over "a lie by her campaign team"and then began to impugn her integrity as a pastor.
Her supporters rose up yelling and ignored Armstrong's warning to deal with issues, not personalities.
An estimated 250 people crowded the Emerson Community School cafetorium for the forum.
Mapp, Brown, Councilwoman Bridget Rivers and Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim are all running to be on the Democratic party line in the Nov. 7 general election. On June 6, the public will choose one.
See mayoral and council candidates' information here.
Mapp is running on his record since taking office in 2014, which includes having to right the city's finances after high turnover in the previous administration. He claimed drops in crime and unemployment during his tenure, and took credit for development including a $50 million, 212-unit apartment complex, among many other accomplishments.
His issue with Brown centers on a distribution of campaign literature with an altered news article inside alleging wrongdoing by Mapp. After the forum resumed, Mapp said, "It's just not right for my reputation to be tarnished. I stand on my record of accomplishments."
Brown defended her team and said they had nothing to do with the incident.
"As a pastor, I don't lie - I preach the Gospel," she said, calling Mapp's comments "a disgrace," which set off more yelling.
Rivers called for mixed use development instead of all apartments, and claimed as an accomplishment passage of a tethering law She and all others pledged to work for a full-service youth center.
Ibezim drew laughs with his jibes at Mapp, but gave few indications of what he would do as mayor. He and others made sure to point out they were on Column G at the right side of the ballot.
"On June 6, forget about Column A - vote for Column G," he said, a tricky bit of advice as opposing candidates are all lumped together on Column G. Others made sure to give both column and line on the ballot
The City Council candidates followed the mayoral forum. Running for an unexpired one-year term are Joylette Mills-Ransome, currently an appointee to the seat and on Column A with Mapp; Cameron E. Cox, running with Ibezim; and Alma Blanco, running with Rivers. Blanco said she hoped to resolve the "great divide" in Plainfield, cut wasteful spending and work for a "state of the art community recreation center." Cox disagreed that crime is down and said if elected, he would "bring in a public safety director that will be honest" about crime. Mills-Ransome said she has been very active in council committee work and constituent service, which she hopes to continue if elected.
Elliott Simmons, Terri Briggs and Steve Hockaday are vying for a four-year term serving the Fourth Ward. Simmons, on Ibezim's slate, was absent Wednesday. Briggs is running with Brown and wants to help "older children" get jobs. She envisions a partnership with Neighborhood House to have a recreation center. Hockaday, on Column A with Mapp, wants young people to learn coding and sees Plainfield becoming "the Silicon Valley of the East."
Voters may find one more round of campaign flyers in their mailboxes over the weekend. Sample ballots have been mailed. Polls will be open on June 6 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Check ballot for your polling place.) Independents must file by 4 p.m. on June 6 to be on the November ballot along with primary winners.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Bernice, It was not just Brown's supporters who verbally objected to the personal attack on Brown by the undignified mayor, but even her non-supporters found the mayor's comments disgraceful. No one can argue that Rev. Brown as a pastor has been a tremendous blessing to this community, and still is. Bernice you fail to mention that the moderator Ann Armstrong reprimanded Mapp for his personal attack on Rev.Brown, and it was not just her supporters that ignored Armstrong's warning to settle down.Bernice we all know this is your blog, but and is hard for me to believe that you did not find Mapp's attack on Brown appalling.I was on the fence in regards to who I was voting for, but after seeing how treacherous, nasty, and despicable Mapp can be my vote is for Rev.Tracey Brown. Mapp came across very desperate.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree LESS with this assessment. Rev Brown, per usual, pulled out the Reverend card and declared herself infallible. That is not a leader. It is just another reason why she is not qualified to be Mayor.
DeleteShe knows her campaign distributed that fraudulent information (she has said as much to people) and she knows they repeated it on a mailer marked "paid for by Tracey Brown for Mayor". Instead of owning up to it she hides behind the cloth.
Anonymous June 1, 2017 at 7:01AM
DeleteAt least be honest with yourself. You know very well you were already in Brown's corner and her supporter. Are you NOW voting for Mayoral candidate Tracey Brown because her feelings were hurt by Mayor Mapp? Do you believe this is the first time SOMEONE is going to hurt her feelings? How many times are you going to kiss her boo-boo and give her a hug? What about voting for her because you believe she can do the job as Mayor of Plainfield?
Obviously you don't believe she can do the job, if you were ON THE FENCE.
Anonymous Because I Wanna Be
Thank Goodness this is the Party running the town.
ReplyDeleteIf the mayor's record is so good and it speaks for itself why does he keep attacking Rev. Brown? Why is he so threatened by her?
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:52 - her campaign attacked first - defending oneself is not an attack. Get your facts straight.
DeleteLet me answer this.....it has been my experience that the mayor is only rebutting attacks by tracy on him. I agree that it appears that he is threatened but think it is him feeling the need to defend himself personally. Hope this helps shed some light for you
DeleteKudos to Cameron Cox who stepped to Jim Spears for interrupting a private conversation with Mapp and Brown and disrespecting her young female supporters.Cox asked him to get in a man's face Jim Spears left.
ReplyDeleteI was not there for this part but if this cox person did say what you said he did......it is very sexist and does not belong in politics. Now I am wondering whether he is the right person for the job? The rules are the same for males and females and they should be treated as such. I am really tired of the people born and raised in Plainfield sreaming "disrepected" everytime someone disagrees with them. I really believe that it is a demographic thing and should be taught to school aged children. It just leads to deep seeded anger issues. Maybe steve should take that on since he proclaims to be the saviour for "his people" whatever that means.
DeleteJust the FACTS Reverend Tracey Brown:
ReplyDeleteDuring and immediately proceeding last night’s debate Rev. Brown denied involvement of her campaigns distribution of the “altered news article”.
The fact is that a member of her team distributed the piece along with her own campaign literature and he was even bold enough to hand this fake news piece off to one of her fellow Pastors in the City on West 4th Street.
And this individual still serves on her team as he was witnessed distributing her election signs from his truck this week and placing them around the city.
Additionally, Reverend Brown sent out a negative piece in the mail this week against Mayor Adrian Mapp. In that piece Brown references the original news article in which the “altered” news article was based on - an article that had nothing to do with Mapp nor did it mention him.
And Reverend Brown continues to deny any associated knowledge or involvement?
On a personal note; immediately after the debate Brown approached the Mayor while I was standing next to him, she once again denied any involvement. When I began to intercede, and state the facts as I outlined above, she then turned to me and bullied up a raised finger at me and accused me of stealing her lawn signs. This is an outrageous and blatant lie, and her personal attack on me only shows the weakness in her argument. I have never touched one of her signs nor that of any opposing candidate, ever. And that is another fact. (see note below).
No one on either side of this debate questions the Reverend’s desire for a better and more secure Plainfield - one in which is she is part of the solutions. But ultimately, she is the one who appoints staff and she is responsible for their actions and her own, whether a Pastor at a church, the Candidate in a campaign or the Mayor of a city. She should immediately remove all members of her team that are associated with this and she should apologize for their actions, her shortcomings in managing them, and for her own personal comments denying responsibility and accusing others.
We then could all move on from this and continue a debate on the issues so that the residents can decide who they feel is better suited to manage the city.
Jim Spear
(The campaign that I volunteer on is under strict instructions not to touch any of the opponent’s signs – whether they are placed legally or illegally. In one incident one of our volunteers was asked by an elderly resident to remove a Brown sign that was placed on her lawn without permission. Our volunteer did remove that sign but left it on premise. Once this was brought to my attention I reminded that volunteer of the proper procedures).
Jim,
DeleteWould you like some cheese with that Whine?
Why would you intercede if the pastor was talking to the Mayor. Jim spear is Mapp not able to talk for himself and if you have the blueprint then why dont you run Jim .
DeleteLook folks, the way I see it is do we want a Mayor who has made Plainfield financially sound, started development which dispels rumors that Plainfield is a dump, and has decreased crime (numbers don't lie, no matter what you THINK).
ReplyDeleteOr do we want candidates who have absolutely no knowledge of how to manage anything, will put Plainfield back into a financial quagmire, raise taxes to make up for their fiscal irresponsibility, and cater to their consituents?
Our Presidential election is a perfect example of people voting against Hilary because they didn't like her, ignoring her experience. You see how that worked out!
Maybe you don't like Mapp - OK. But do you really want to put this city in the hands of people who will undo all the positive change and forward movement that has happened in 4 years and put us 10 years behind, again?
Vote FOR experience and competency, not likability.
I can't believe that more people don't speak out about separation of church and state. In last nights debate, Tracy said something like she doesn't know everything about politics and being a mayor but that she would put in people around her that did. It only makes me wonder who these people are and why she's not giving names at this late date. After all, she is clearly admitting to us, the citizens of Plainfield that we will be voting for not her but her team. I think we have a right to know who they are. From her own admission last night, she initiated not ONE thing as council member but did support many good things put in front of her. Who will be putting things in front of her as mayor? Am I the only person wondering that?
ReplyDeleteAnother observation from last night is that she is still denying the print pieces that indicate implication of the mayor in an investigation where he works in orange NJ. In my head, she spins around and pulls up the Jesus cloak and can honestly say that she "didn't do it" Will she use this tactic every time her people that she surrounds herself with do unjust things with the city? Can anyone see why I believe in separation of church and state?
Separation of church and state is the law - it's not a matter of belief or opinion. Even many religious people understand why we need separation of church and state. When Tracey Brown keeps mentioning her status as a pastor or Reverend, she only discredits herself. This should have no place in an election nor in City Council proceedings.
DeleteAside from the apparent fact that the Brown campaign threw the first punch with their ridiculous attempt to smear Mayor Mapp and then demonstrated that they can't take a punch when confronted with their lies (i.e. pastors are never wrong apparently), it should be noted that Ms. Brown doesn't have a single idea to keep Plainfield moving forward. I am not exaggerating this point either - there isn't a single idea from her campaign. Dog parks are considered economic development and she actually endorses a concept of having a municipal complex on the muhlenberg campus. So there is another great idea that must have a cost of $75-100 Million with NO opportunity to collect any property taxes. Her latest mailing has fabricated images of her "latest" ideas for economic development and you know what? They are the exact things that Mayor Mapp has already done.
ReplyDeleteShe should stick to being a pastor and stay away from managing a city - she clearly doesn't have the experience or ability to manage that is necessary.
Jim Spears is only telling the half truth. I was leaving with my wife and at the door Rev.Tracy Brown seemed to be engaged in a peaceful congenial conversation with the mayor of Plainfield this man interrupts her unsolicited. She tells him to get out of her presence, and to mind his own business. He does not and finally the mayor was kind enough to ask him to go away, she also ask her supporters to go away.That man should have left them alone. He had no right to intercede in their private friendly conversation. The mayor and the minister hugged at the end. I had to speak up because I was standing there, the minister attacked no one. I am a supporter of Dr.Ibezim, he will make a fine mayor of this city. I know he is not known by many but he is a good honest man. Please vote for him. Thank you. MY name is Adaku
ReplyDeleteAdaku, how do you have a private conversation in such a public place? If Brown had something to say to the mayor after that circus of a forum she should have waited and picked up the phone to call him. If I was there I most likely would have stay right there to listen as well. When you're in a position of Mayor sometime you need people around you to say what you can't.
DeleteRB.
Some observations about last night's "debate"
ReplyDelete1) Dr. Ibezim is clueless and says the same thing over and over again - with little of it making any sense. it is obvious he is doing this for someone.
2) It strikes me as strange that not a single person (including Cameron Cox), has the ability to look up crime statistic reports by both the FBI and the NJ State Police. If they did, and were honest, they would have to admit that crime has dropped.
3) Bridget Rivers and Rev Brown are utterly clueless about municipal government - and this after years of serving in municipal government. They think the best way to reduce PROPERTY TAXES is through creating jobs. That creates income taxes - which don't go to the city. While job creation is important it won't affect property taxes in the least.
3) Rivers and Brown both blather on (likely coordinated) about apartments vs mixed use and commercial. Neither one has done any research (or isn't being honest) that there is only one project in town that is residential only (South Avenue) - the rest are mixed use. They also say that commercial property is the only way to get property tax revenue. For the life of me I can't understand why people don't know that apartment building owners pay property taxes. With a little effort one can find the information for the South Second Street project and see the difference - Commercial Property (ABC Supply) will collect $1.3 Million in taxes, the Residential Property connected to the development will collect $2.6 Million in taxes.
4) You know how you can tell when a local economy is doing well? Real Estate. If anyone looked at the market in Plainfield over the last 12 months they would see that properties are selling dramatically faster than the last 10 years. Add to that the fact that the list price vs sale price is strong and you have a clear indication that Plainfield is improving very nicely.
This election is a no brainer - it is clear that Mapp has some strong accomplishments and some clear momentum in improving Plainfield. Nobody can do everything in 3.5 years but he has done a very nice job and should continue as Mayor.
Bernice I was there last night with my son this forum was a disgrace. Mayor Mapp I am surprised at you. A disgrace.
ReplyDeleteBernice this is not what happened last night you minimized the facts. We all know you are a Mapp supporter but if your going to report report the facts.
In all fairness I don't think anyone believes the LWV Forum was the best place for Mayor Mapp to vent. However his frustation at the dishonesty of the Brown campaign flyers must be huge. I have reseached every news article regarding the Orange matter and nowhere was Adrian Mapp mentioned. I also received one of the flyers in my mailbox
ReplyDeleteimplying Mapps involvement in that matter as well as his responsibility for every other problem in Plainfield. I was was quite incensed at the slimy dishonesty of the content. Rev. Brown is bright, educated woman. Her denial of any knowledge of these flyers doesn't really make sense.With the many degrees and accomplishments she has in her background one can assume she can read and therefore that she has read and approved all of her campaign flyers.
Just to be clear, I am not political, I am not an employee of the city, nor are any friends or relatives. As a 30 year resident I have seen many down and dirty campaigns.This is probably one of the worst.
As a fourth ward resident my choices are:
ReplyDeleteSimmons who was absent, Briggs who wants to help "older children" get jobs, and Hockaday who wants Plainfield to be "the Silicon Valley of the East." Somebody save us.
I was at the forum last night and was glad to hear from all candidates. My concern is that running for mayor we have two of Robinson-Briggs most ardent supporters who either voted with her many times or abstained for some legislation that was not necessarily good for Plainfield. We all saw the mess Plainfield's finances were left in after eight years of what I considered poor leadership. Dr. Ibezim seemed unaware of the requirements of the office and, as Bernice pointed out, didn't give us much information. I'm still not sure what he would do different than the current administration. Mayor Mapp has not been perfect, but Plainfield has come back nicely in the three and one-half years since the last administration and its poor fiscal management. I hope all candidates for whatever office they seek keep the people of Plainfield in mind if they become mayor. We do need to be "One Plainfield" and work together for a better place to live and bring our children up in.
ReplyDeleteI also received that scandalous flyer. Unfortunately someone who if not on Rev. Brown's team is a strong supporter who was witnessed handing out the flyer with her info. Because they are very close to her she is tainted by that. The mayor has every right to address the issue. Her supporters also get so incensed when they feel she is being disrespected. Should he not be offended? Politics can be a dirty pool that Rev. Brown has chosen to swim in. Have more faith in her that she can take care of herself. Mayor Mapp has proven he can continue to lead Plainfield in a progressive direction in spite of the hatred and anger thrown at him by a few disgruntled people.
ReplyDeleteHow about if everyone would do unto others as they would have done unto them, they wouldn't have to create lies and insinuate false impressions to win.
Nancy Jordan
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You for even trying, you are better person than I.
On the LWV forum. First let me just say everybody LIES no matter how you try to disguise it there is no measure of sin or a lie, whether is a big one or tiny white lie, a lie is a lie. Unfortunately lying is part of our human nature as we were born into sin and Tracey Brown is no exception.
ReplyDeletePutting my personal feeling aside for any of the candidates, although I do like Rivers and I believe her heart is in the right place, throughout this election process it has becomes so overwhelming clear that Mapp is the only one of the 3 serious candidates that is capable of holding the position of Mayor of Plainfield. Brown and Rivers are in way over their head and lack the knowledge, experience and vision to garner unity within the city, influence new developers into investing in Plainfield, developing a realistic plan to stabilize taxes within a reasonable time frame, hire the right person for the job, to maintaining our A credit rating enabling us to borrow money if needed, to ensuring crime decreases.
When Brown said she didn’t know everything about being a Mayor, she was being to ambitious, from the debates, it’s evident she knows even less than what she think she knows. She also mention her team, since the Campbell’s and Dunns’ are evidently an influential part of her term, you can bet your last dollar, they will be offered jobs ranging from business administrators to personal confidants. You can expect Dan Williams will return as city attorney interpreting the law to suite whatever whim they would try to push through the govern body.
As for Muhlenberg, Brown keeps saying she would try to get a full service hospital there, that alone lets me know she is lost. She should give her former mentor Jerry Green a call so he can educate her on the reason why that will never happen. My only concern with Mapp is the fate of the Muhlenberg property, I think he will try to do what he says in reference to bringing full service medical use there but I’m concerned about the kinds of medical services that will end up there. I also believe the fate of the property was determined when they decided to close the hospitable and the decisions goes way above the Mayor of Plainfield. If there is an opportunity to question Assemblyman Green, Senator Booker and candidate for Governor Phil Murphy at the GOTV rally tonight, I would ask them about the plans for housing for disabled vets on the Muhlenberg site.
Regardless of how I feel about the Muhlenberg project, I still believe Mapp is the BEST and most LOGICAL choice for Mayor of Plainfield and I will continue to support his re-election for Mayor and encourage everyone else to vote for Mayor Mapp on line A.
Robin B.
I agree with you Robin. Although I like Rivers and Rev. Brown, being the Mayor is over their head and would definitely be a significant step backwards for our City
DeleteMost of us, politicians in particular, see a larger image of themselves when they look in the mirror than the reality.
ReplyDeleteThis may be, at least in part, a necessity with politicians as it is constantly necessary for them to project their image in order to secure reelection. It is also understandable that politicians suffer from the debilitations of their humanity. So that when one is attacked in the most callous manner some latitude must be given to that humanity when they respond in a less than tasteful manner. But these are trivial matters contrasted with the reality that is qualification. Mayor Mapp is doing a job. He has both education and credentials that are essential to the administration of a complex urban community. If you examine his appointees they are producing results; Public Safety, Development, legal affairs are all being handled in excellent fashion. There is a huge benefit in continuity. Works in progress can continue without interruption; hopefully to fruition. The contending candidates can not remotely claim backgrounds suitable for this demanding office. Reverend Tracy continuing to take umbrage behind her faith when criticized is not only inappropriate, it is frightening. She does not have either the appropriate experience or predisposition suitable to so contentious a position as Mayor. Bill Kruse
Hey Bill, law firm Coughlin and minchello and Coughlin trying to become speaker of legislature. And Mapp and Warren and Joey D and the Norcross brothers and then Sweeny and Green. And you say Mapp has the credentials yeah but will he explain to people of Plainfield the game of politics and how they are just pawns?
DeleteDoes your reply suggest that we should vote for Reverend Brown? Amongst the choices available Mapp remains the best option. On the other hand, perhaps your comment suggests that we should produce a Republican candidate. That would be a great solution to the hanky panky these corrupt Democrats are subjecting us to. Bill Kruse
DeleteHey Bill I glad you used the term corrupt political figures because I didn't . Maybe your use of the term was a Freudian slip or just a confession of what you know to be true. Remove the curtain and let the people know all of the above and more are wizards and the poor are residents of oz.
DeleteAs I am not ready to move out of Oz, to endorse anarchy, or to abandon my vote , I am compelled to vote for someone. November '16 revisited. What are your intentions? As to injustices to the poor I can not help but to recall that notwithstanding this country's many deficiencies our political system enabled an unschooled country boy, born in a log cabin, to ascend to the Presidency. And 85 years later a dirt poor Missouri farm boy, later a haberdasher, to do the same. Bill
DeleteThe "church folk" that are being solicited are being used emotionally. Some people are making it out that Tracey is being picked on so they may vote to protect her rather than deal with the facts of progress Mapp has made. We will be in a world of trouble because you can't trust the people around her that she has blinders on to. For instance they have a flyer out that blames Mapp for the school deficit. Even though common sense should tell you it didn't develop overnight but Wilma Campbell and the former superintendent were firmly running things for many years. But Tracey's supporters or those who don't do their homework will believe it was all Mapp. That is the scary part of this election. Facts vs emotions.
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:30, please keep the discussion to the primary election. The school board will be contested in November. In that time let your emotions and ignorance subside. You may benefit from taking that time to understand both politics, board dynamics and influence. Such study may help you comprehen the facts once you read them.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you were commenting on the wrong time but I got a flyer in my mail accusing the mayor about the deficit. Therefore it is appropriate to comment on it now.
Delete