Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Summer Images 2013
By accident, I posted this on Plainfield Plaintalker, the old blog. Click here to see it on Plaintalker II.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Council Highlights
With only eight resolutions and two ordinances, Tuesday's meeting was over in less than half an hour. A group of latecomers ended up chatting with Councilman William Reid outside Municipal Court for a while.
Some highlights from the meeting:
- Councilman Cory Storch questioned why an African-Caribbean committee should now become a commission. Corporation Counsel David Minchello explained that an African-Caribbean commission would have standing as a city organization, members would be appointed by the mayor with advice and consent of the council and the commission could potentially have a budget for its work.
Storch noted the committee has been meeting for a year on its own and expressed concern about forming another commission. He said a Hispanic commission was not functioning, nor were several others.
The ordinance to form the commission will be up for a public hearing, second reading and final passage at the Sept. 9 meeting.
- The other ordinance up for final passage next week is one to form a Community Emergency Response Team that can be activated when needed by the Office of Emergency Management. The program was unveiled on National Night Out. Members take training an numerous aspects of emergency response. To learn more, click here.
- The council will amend a prior approval for a festival on Sept. 13, 14 and 15 to comply with restrictions put on one to be held on Sept. 6, 7 and 8, namely to shut off music at 9 p.m. and to close down at 10 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. as previously allowed.
- The city will hold a tax lien sale on Oct. 10 to recoup back taxes and PMUA payments from 2012.
The regular meeting is 8 p.m. Sept. 9 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
Some highlights from the meeting:
- Councilman Cory Storch questioned why an African-Caribbean committee should now become a commission. Corporation Counsel David Minchello explained that an African-Caribbean commission would have standing as a city organization, members would be appointed by the mayor with advice and consent of the council and the commission could potentially have a budget for its work.
Storch noted the committee has been meeting for a year on its own and expressed concern about forming another commission. He said a Hispanic commission was not functioning, nor were several others.
The ordinance to form the commission will be up for a public hearing, second reading and final passage at the Sept. 9 meeting.
- The other ordinance up for final passage next week is one to form a Community Emergency Response Team that can be activated when needed by the Office of Emergency Management. The program was unveiled on National Night Out. Members take training an numerous aspects of emergency response. To learn more, click here.
- The council will amend a prior approval for a festival on Sept. 13, 14 and 15 to comply with restrictions put on one to be held on Sept. 6, 7 and 8, namely to shut off music at 9 p.m. and to close down at 10 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. as previously allowed.
- The city will hold a tax lien sale on Oct. 10 to recoup back taxes and PMUA payments from 2012.
The regular meeting is 8 p.m. Sept. 9 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
A Rodeo in Plainfield?
A nightclub operator who promised to bring "a brand-new idea and concept to the city" asked the City Council Monday to vote next week on his application to hold a rodeo here, but the timing fell short of a new rule requiring submission 45 days in advance.
Jeffrey Maree spoke first of his recent festivals organized by Voluntad Productions, saying they were meant to provide a cultural experience, not just to make money. (Voluntad produced a festival in August for El Salvadoran heritage and another is scheduled for Sept. 13, 14 and 15 to celebrate Central American independence. With two other festivals backed by nightclub owner Edison Garcia, critics say the crowded schedule appears to be of a commercial nature.)
Regarding his new concept, Maree said the rodeo had its origins in Spain, then spread to Mexico and became part of American culture. But Council President Bridget Rivers asked Corporation Counsel David Minchello to review the application process. Minchello said applications need various reviews and he recommended letting it come to the council only after all "due diligence" by city agencies.
Maree spoke briefly with Rivers after the meeting, but left before Plaintalker could get more details on his plans, such as the proposed site.
The rodeo concept is well-known in the American West, but lately "Mexican rodeos" have attracted large crowds in New Jersey. Plaintalker found two news articles on the topic. Click here and here to read them.
The festivals have raised questions about noise levels and beer drinking around young children. A rodeo could bring further concerns about animal treatment.
The council meets at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept.9 to approve items moved to the agenda at Tuesday's meeting. The next agenda-fixing session is 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 and the regular meeting is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, both in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
Jeffrey Maree spoke first of his recent festivals organized by Voluntad Productions, saying they were meant to provide a cultural experience, not just to make money. (Voluntad produced a festival in August for El Salvadoran heritage and another is scheduled for Sept. 13, 14 and 15 to celebrate Central American independence. With two other festivals backed by nightclub owner Edison Garcia, critics say the crowded schedule appears to be of a commercial nature.)
Regarding his new concept, Maree said the rodeo had its origins in Spain, then spread to Mexico and became part of American culture. But Council President Bridget Rivers asked Corporation Counsel David Minchello to review the application process. Minchello said applications need various reviews and he recommended letting it come to the council only after all "due diligence" by city agencies.
Maree spoke briefly with Rivers after the meeting, but left before Plaintalker could get more details on his plans, such as the proposed site.
The rodeo concept is well-known in the American West, but lately "Mexican rodeos" have attracted large crowds in New Jersey. Plaintalker found two news articles on the topic. Click here and here to read them.
The festivals have raised questions about noise levels and beer drinking around young children. A rodeo could bring further concerns about animal treatment.
The council meets at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept.9 to approve items moved to the agenda at Tuesday's meeting. The next agenda-fixing session is 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 and the regular meeting is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, both in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
In Memory of Barbara Sandford
Barbara Sandford, Arbor Day 2009
Word has come that Barbara Sandford, Plainfield's foremost advocate of beautification, has passed away at her New Hampshire home.
A Plainfield Garden Club member since 1950, Barbara shared her knowledge and talents with the community at large, not only advising officials on beautification but taking a hands-on role in doing the work. I first saw Barbara about 30 years ago, up on the embankment by the main train station, pulling weeds. Her patrician looks contrasted with a practicality and purpose that was an example for anybody who loved the city. She applied both charm and persuasiveness to getting what she needed from Public Works, whether it was watering plants with a tanker truck or helping with the heaviest work.
Barbara was one of the original members of the Shade Tree Commission and had much advice to give. She also shared memories of her anti-litter work, recalling parades where she dressed as "Auntie Litter" to advocate for a clean city.
She abhorred roadside billboards and became president of Scenic New Jersey to fight their proliferation. In 2000, she protested the removal of trees from the Blue Star Memorial Highway Drive to make way for development.
Barbara was a strong supporter of the electoral process and a longtime member of the League of Women Voters of Plainfield.
For all these efforts and more, she will be remembered by Plainfielders.
Her family has announced a memorial service to be held in Plainfield on Saturday, November 16 to celebrate her 95th birthday (November 14th). at 1 p.m. in Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception in the Guild Room.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Labor Day March Urges Immigration Reform
--Bernice
D. Scott Belin Launches Campaign Web Site
Independent mayoral candidate D. Scott Belin has launched his campaign web site. Click here to view.
Belin filed on June 4 to be on the Nov. 5 ballot.
He is one of four candidates for mayor. Mustapha Muhammad also filed on June 4 as an independent. See his web site here.
June 4 was the date of the Democratic primary, a contest between Mayor Sharon Robinson Briggs seeking her third term and Councilman Adrian Mapp, making his second bid to be mayor. Mapp won the primary and will be on the Democratic line on Nov. 5. Mapp's campaign web site is here.
Republican Sandy Spector filed in April and was unopposed in June. She will have the Republican line on Nov. 5.
Oct. 15 is the last day to register for the Nov. 5 general election. Voters need not adhere to party lines in November and can choose any of the four candidates for mayor. The winner will begin a four-year term on Jan. 1, 2014.
Incumbent Democrat Bridget Rivers and Republican Barbara Johnson are vying for a four-year Fourth Ward City Council seat.
Voters will also choose three Board of Education candidates for three-year terms. Six candidates filed. They are Deborah Clarke, Richard Lear, Anabella Melgar, Board President Wilma G. Campbell, David M. Rutherford and board member Frederick D. Moore, Sr.
The Plainfield League of Women Voters will be holding a candidates' forum for local seats. Check here for future information.
--Bernice
Belin filed on June 4 to be on the Nov. 5 ballot.
He is one of four candidates for mayor. Mustapha Muhammad also filed on June 4 as an independent. See his web site here.
June 4 was the date of the Democratic primary, a contest between Mayor Sharon Robinson Briggs seeking her third term and Councilman Adrian Mapp, making his second bid to be mayor. Mapp won the primary and will be on the Democratic line on Nov. 5. Mapp's campaign web site is here.
Republican Sandy Spector filed in April and was unopposed in June. She will have the Republican line on Nov. 5.
Oct. 15 is the last day to register for the Nov. 5 general election. Voters need not adhere to party lines in November and can choose any of the four candidates for mayor. The winner will begin a four-year term on Jan. 1, 2014.
Incumbent Democrat Bridget Rivers and Republican Barbara Johnson are vying for a four-year Fourth Ward City Council seat.
Voters will also choose three Board of Education candidates for three-year terms. Six candidates filed. They are Deborah Clarke, Richard Lear, Anabella Melgar, Board President Wilma G. Campbell, David M. Rutherford and board member Frederick D. Moore, Sr.
The Plainfield League of Women Voters will be holding a candidates' forum for local seats. Check here for future information.
--Bernice
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