Official results have been posted
for the June 7 Primary Election
City Council City-wide at-large
Rebecca Williams 3,127
Tracey Brown 2,993
City Council Third Ward
Charles McRae 1,016
Alma Blanco 718
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Two "In Need of Redevelopment" Hearings Tonight
According to the agenda, one is a draft "Area in Need of Redevelopment and Rehabilitation Preliminary Investigation Report" on the Edward P. Paul building at 501-637 South Avenue and the Royal Apex building at 639-661 South Avenue. The Edward P. Paul company made furniture and the Royal Apex company made building products.
The other hearing is on an "In Need of Redevelopment Investigation Report" on a large swath of North Avenue between Leland Avenue and Berckman Street (outlined in orange above). The City Council approved the investigation in February.
Steps in the development process go back and forth between the Planning Board and governing body. Once a site is found to be in need of redevelopment, the council may ask the Planning Board to come up with a redevelopment plan.It is an arduous process, but necessary to make sure new development is in keeping with the city's master plan.
The Planning Board meeting is 7:30 p.m. tonight in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Bicycle Race Plans Clarified, Gain Support
A bicycle race scheduled for June 26 brought praise from merchants Tuesday along with some concerns over late notification and effects on traffic and parking.
The complete list of parking locations and other information is posted on the city website.
In public comment, resident Cheryl Bullock was first up to raise numerous concerns about the event and its effect on residents. Although the City Council approved street and sidewalk encroachments on May 9, sidewalks will be open, O'Brien said. Bullock and others questioned why the Special Improvement District association was not notified earlier, as most events using city streets are approved months in advance. David Biagini of FirsTEAManagement held up a "Positively Plainfield" SID publication that was just mailed to every household, but did not include the bicycle race due to lack of advance notice.
Maritza Martinez, SID vice president and owner of a downtown business, said all merchants in her area were happy with the plans, and confusing information on fliers passed out to business owners had been straightened out.
Stacey Welsh, owner of LiVay Sweet Shop, thanked the council for approving the race, as it gives people an opportunity to get to know more about the city.
"It's time that we do things in Plainfield that bring other people in," she said.
Welsh said on Sundays she is competing with many outside attractions, so she told the council, "I'm here tonight to say thank you."
See Plaintalker's prior post on the bicycle championship here.
--Bernice
The New Jersey State Bicycle Championships
Race route starts and ends at City Hall
Police Captain Kevin O'Brien said the parking lot at police headquarters on Watchung Avenue and many other lots will be made available on Sunday, June 26 starting at 8 a.m. Train riders are advised to plan ahead, as they may have to walk to parking locations. Anywhere from 500 to 1,000 spectators may be visiting, O'Brien said.The complete list of parking locations and other information is posted on the city website.
In public comment, resident Cheryl Bullock was first up to raise numerous concerns about the event and its effect on residents. Although the City Council approved street and sidewalk encroachments on May 9, sidewalks will be open, O'Brien said. Bullock and others questioned why the Special Improvement District association was not notified earlier, as most events using city streets are approved months in advance. David Biagini of FirsTEAManagement held up a "Positively Plainfield" SID publication that was just mailed to every household, but did not include the bicycle race due to lack of advance notice.
Maritza Martinez, SID vice president and owner of a downtown business, said all merchants in her area were happy with the plans, and confusing information on fliers passed out to business owners had been straightened out.
Stacey Welsh, owner of LiVay Sweet Shop, thanked the council for approving the race, as it gives people an opportunity to get to know more about the city.
"It's time that we do things in Plainfield that bring other people in," she said.
Welsh said on Sundays she is competing with many outside attractions, so she told the council, "I'm here tonight to say thank you."
See Plaintalker's prior post on the bicycle championship here.
--Bernice
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
New Look for Courtroom
New look for Municipal Court
Tuesday's City Council meeting was the first since Municipal Court got a new look, with chairs instead of wooden benches and all of Plainfield's mayors arrayed around the room. Former Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs was present Tuesday (right, in red dress).
Credit for the new look goes to Public Works Superintendent John Louise and his staff, we were told. Great job!
It was nice to see Dr. Harold Yood (left) on duty as a blogger. If you are not already a fan, see what "Old Doc" has to say on Doc's Potpourri.--Bernice
State Law on Filling Council Vacancy
Following up on a question about filling a City Council vacancy, here is the state law:
NJSA 40A:16-11. Appointment to fill vacancy where incumbent was nominee of a political party; time to fill vacancy40A:16-11. Appointment to fill vacancy where incumbent was nominee of a political party; time to fill vacancy. If the incumbent whose office has become vacant was elected to office as the nominee of a political party, the municipal committee of the political party of which the incumbent was the nominee shall, no later than 15 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, present to the governing body the names of three nominees for the selection of a successor to fill the vacancy. The governing body shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy. If the governing body fails to appoint one of the nominees within the time prescribed herein, the municipal committee that named the three nominees shall, within the next 15 days, appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy, and such person shall be sworn in immediately. If the municipal committee which nominated the incumbent fails to submit the names of the nominees within the time prescribed herein, the governing body may, within the next 15 days, fill the vacancy by the appointment of a successor from the same political party which had nominated the incumbent whose office has become vacant.
If, on the effective date of this act, the governing body had previously received from the municipal committee the names of three nominees to fill any such vacancy and had not filled the vacancy, the governing body, within 30 days after the effective date of this act, shall appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy.
L.1979, c.83, s.1; amended 1980,c.101,s.3; 1990,c.57,s.1.
NJSA 40A:16-11. Appointment to fill vacancy where incumbent was nominee of a political party; time to fill vacancy40A:16-11. Appointment to fill vacancy where incumbent was nominee of a political party; time to fill vacancy. If the incumbent whose office has become vacant was elected to office as the nominee of a political party, the municipal committee of the political party of which the incumbent was the nominee shall, no later than 15 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, present to the governing body the names of three nominees for the selection of a successor to fill the vacancy. The governing body shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy. If the governing body fails to appoint one of the nominees within the time prescribed herein, the municipal committee that named the three nominees shall, within the next 15 days, appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy, and such person shall be sworn in immediately. If the municipal committee which nominated the incumbent fails to submit the names of the nominees within the time prescribed herein, the governing body may, within the next 15 days, fill the vacancy by the appointment of a successor from the same political party which had nominated the incumbent whose office has become vacant.
If, on the effective date of this act, the governing body had previously received from the municipal committee the names of three nominees to fill any such vacancy and had not filled the vacancy, the governing body, within 30 days after the effective date of this act, shall appoint one of the nominees as the successor to fill the vacancy.
L.1979, c.83, s.1; amended 1980,c.101,s.3; 1990,c.57,s.1.
Kayaks Turning Up in City
Walking home from Tuesday's City Council meeting, I was surprised to see a couple of kayaks on top of a car. Some new neighbors on Block 832 also have a kayak. Could a trend be starting in the Queen City?
Instead of standing in traffic to document this sight, I got back on the sidewalk just as some men were approaching.
"That's mine," said Dickson Camilo, in the white shirt. He said he has been kayaking for three years.
Asked where he goes kayaking, he said, "Anywhere - anywhere there's water."
The two kayaks were on a car rack that he described as "the Number One rack in Australia." He said he found it at AutoAnything.
He gets going in Spring "as soon as the water is melted," he said, although on one very hot day this Spring, he was so happy to get to his favorite lake, only to find it was still frozen.
Camilo mentioned Mount Olive as a favorite destination for kayaking. To discover more locations, see Kayaking in New Jersey.
REI has a Getting Started Kayaking website if you would like to share Camilo's enthusiasm for this fun activity.
--Bernice
Vigil for Orlando Victims Friday
Message received this afternoon:
As a result of the terrible tragedy this past weekend in Orlando, a candle light vigil is being organized to honor the victims of this horrible event and show support and solidarity during this difficult time for the LGBT community.
The vigil will be held Friday June 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm on the steps of Plainfield City Hall.
Additional information will follow.
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