Listen
to
George Clinton
and
Killer Mike
on NPR
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Thursday, April 20, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Commentary On The 2-6
As an observer of Plainfield politics since 1983, I can attest that things can get as wild and woolly here as in any major city across the state. The size of the prize doesn't even matter sometimes, as witness the recent kerfuffle over a single voting district containing less than 3 percent of the city's registered Democrats.
A resident who agreed to fill in a vacancy on the Democratic City Committee duly filed petitions to be elected this year for a full two-year term. Cue the theme from Jaws here as a state official who lives in the district (one of 68 citywide) decided he wanted the seat and put the strong-arm on the local chairman to make it happen.
The incumbent resident was asked to step aside. He agreed, but then felt aggrieved. After all, he was quite active on the local level, so much so that he and his wife were being honored this month for their support of a major cultural institution.
He asked this blogger for space to tell his story. No sooner did it hit the blogosphere than it got more page views than the total of registered Democrats in the voting district in question. It went on to garner nearly triple that number of page views.
For whatever reason, the state official withdrew himself from running for the district seat. Maybe he thought the reaction over his move would reflect badly on his run for re-election to state office this year. Maybe his action made the slate, with a gubernatorial candidate at the top, look bad. Perhaps the threat of a write-in landslide by the wronged person's friends played a role.
As in most political brouhahas, it's not over until it's over. What is the status of the original filer now? Will his friends write him in to show their distaste, or skip voting for re-election of the state official in his own hometown?
I conclude with the words of the person who was asked to step aside, yet forgave the local chairman and even pledged support to his re-election campaign:
"I am convinced that side deals will only continue to erode our already fractured and fragile system. I am taking the opportunity of what has transpired with me these past few weeks, to once again ask for a more civil political discourse where we honor and respect differences as a bridge to a better future for all of our citizens."
A resident who agreed to fill in a vacancy on the Democratic City Committee duly filed petitions to be elected this year for a full two-year term. Cue the theme from Jaws here as a state official who lives in the district (one of 68 citywide) decided he wanted the seat and put the strong-arm on the local chairman to make it happen.
The incumbent resident was asked to step aside. He agreed, but then felt aggrieved. After all, he was quite active on the local level, so much so that he and his wife were being honored this month for their support of a major cultural institution.
He asked this blogger for space to tell his story. No sooner did it hit the blogosphere than it got more page views than the total of registered Democrats in the voting district in question. It went on to garner nearly triple that number of page views.
For whatever reason, the state official withdrew himself from running for the district seat. Maybe he thought the reaction over his move would reflect badly on his run for re-election to state office this year. Maybe his action made the slate, with a gubernatorial candidate at the top, look bad. Perhaps the threat of a write-in landslide by the wronged person's friends played a role.
As in most political brouhahas, it's not over until it's over. What is the status of the original filer now? Will his friends write him in to show their distaste, or skip voting for re-election of the state official in his own hometown?
I conclude with the words of the person who was asked to step aside, yet forgave the local chairman and even pledged support to his re-election campaign:
"I am convinced that side deals will only continue to erode our already fractured and fragile system. I am taking the opportunity of what has transpired with me these past few weeks, to once again ask for a more civil political discourse where we honor and respect differences as a bridge to a better future for all of our citizens."
Monday, April 17, 2017
Tenants and Landlords, How's It Going?
Plainfield's housing stock is still its main source of tax revenue and half of its households are renters.
Most of the upcoming development hinges on attracting more renters.
Where there are tenants, there must be landlords, and some are mostly here for the money (think of the now-departed Connolly).
Plaintalker is interested in hearing from tenants and landlords on what is working and not working about their relationship. The issue of parking has come to the fore, with the city trying to get cars off the street and landlords imposing rules that make tenants try to get away with parking on streets.
There are other items of concern. Tell us what is on your mind!
--Bernice
Most of the upcoming development hinges on attracting more renters.
Where there are tenants, there must be landlords, and some are mostly here for the money (think of the now-departed Connolly).
Plaintalker is interested in hearing from tenants and landlords on what is working and not working about their relationship. The issue of parking has come to the fore, with the city trying to get cars off the street and landlords imposing rules that make tenants try to get away with parking on streets.
There are other items of concern. Tell us what is on your mind!
--Bernice
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Daffodils Reign At Shakespeare Garden
Garden Club Centennial Daffodils
On Saturday I checked the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park and found lots of daffodils, including the very special ones planted in 2010. See the work of the Plainfield Garden Club here.
The Shakespeare Garden in Plainfield is one of several across the world that features flowers mentioned in the Bard's works. The Plainfield Garden Club maintains it in conjunction with Union County parks staff, opening it in Spring and closing in Fall.
Had to look this one up - Pulmonaria (Lungwort).
The Shakespeare Garden is on the state Women's Heritage Trail. is a great place to visit or to bring visitors, especially when it is at its peak in early June. The Plainfield Garden Club usually schedules an event the first week in June, with a plant sale, music and guided tours of the garden. Put it on your list of Plainfield highlights!
--Bernice
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Plainfield's TaxMarch/Community Unity Rally
"I showed you mine, now you show me yours"
Demonstrators across the nation demanded to see President Donald Trump's tax returns on the traditional April 15 tax-filing deadline. Union County residents gathered in Cedar Brook Park to express their outrage and hear candidates for local office, who echoed the public's desire for No. 45 to do as his predecessors have done and make his tax returns public.
"Trump Whatcha Hiding?"
"Grifter In Chief"
"What Are You Hiding?"
"Dump Trump Now - Help"
I am recovering from a dental emergency and only attended part of the event. I didn't take notes, but somebody said a reporter from the New York Times was there, so maybe we can read about it there. Check the TV news for a perspective on the national turnout.
--Bernice
Draft Muhlenberg Redevelopment Plan Is Online
Before you go to the April 24 meeting on Muhlenberg, make sure you check the 34-page draft redevelopment plan (click the link).Four of its pages cover permitted uses, with definitions. The report has several maps, one of which shows where a residential portion is proposed (page 13). At a July 2016 meeting featuring William Colgan of Community Healthcare Associates, LLC, the residential portion drew the most concern.
The draft report by Heyer, Gruel & Associates was reviewed by the Planning Board on April 6 before being made public. (Click the last two links to read blog posts.)
--Bernice
The draft report by Heyer, Gruel & Associates was reviewed by the Planning Board on April 6 before being made public. (Click the last two links to read blog posts.)
--Bernice
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