Going Buggy

At first I thought this bug was Polyphylla Decemlineata, but they only live in the Northwest. Could one have traveled here on packages from my Seattle relatives?

On second thought, I deduced it might just be the Colorado Potato Beetle.

Anyway, it was interesting to see this handsome fellow in the yard, even though we suspect his motives.

--Bernice

Cheers for Mark

Kudos to Mark Spivey for getting the Connolly story up fast in a concise form Friday. I was on my way downtown at noon and thought by then the matter would have been heard. But an officer at Municipal Court said it was just starting. The court session had begun at 9 a.m.

I took a lot of notes but then proceeded on my errand. By the time I got home, Mark's story was online with all the major points. So I will drop back to watering the plants in case the promised thunderstorms do not arrive.

--Bernice

Garden Design Approved for Complex

Rear of "The Monarch" senior center/condo complex.

Approval for design of a roof garden Thursday wrapped up Planning Board dealings for a new senior center/condo complex at 400 East Front Street.

In early talks on project dubbed "The Monarch," developer Glen Fishman and his staff promised a second floor roof garden over ground-level parking. Architectural drawings indicated four trees and other plantings. However, promotional material released this year showed a plain deck with chairs and some potted arborvitae, a change that did not sit well with city officials.

On Thursday, planners discussed a design developed by landscape architect April Stefel of the Planning Division in cooperation with city officials, the mayor and the developer. Attorney Alfred Faiella said it was one of the last steps toward issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project.

The design features four pergolas, or roofless gazebos, that can be covered in vines to provide shade, but which would weigh much less than trees would. Other plantings include geraniums, vinca, fountain grass and lavender in large pots. Tables with umbrellas and seating are are part of the design. Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said it had taken "quite a bit of back and forth" to agree on the new design.

The roof surface itself will be a textured rubber membrane in two shades of beige, which board member William Toth, an architect, called "a good product" that is very durable.

Although the design is not the same as a full-fledged rooftop garden, it satisfied the board members. Click here for a prior Plaintalker article on the subject.

Faiella said the certificate of occupancy may be issued as soon as Monday and buyers may be able to move into the new condos. The roof garden will be accessible both to seniors and occupants of the condos, but not to the public. Balconies at the rear of the U-shaped complex will overlook the site.

Faiella urged the Planning Board members to take a walk-through at the complex. A sales staff is located across the street and has been arranging tours for prospective buyers of the 63 two-bedroom condos. At a celebration held in the new senior center in May, Fishman said eight had been sold at that point. Click here for more information on the condos.

--Bernice Paglia

When Company Comes

The visit of gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie to Plainfield made this writer aware of how the downtown may come across to an outsider.

The downtown has long since lost its retail luster as a regional shopping destination and is now serving a demographic that needs lots of stuff at a moderate price. Dollar stores, urban gear outlets and a whole lot of cell phone places have popped up among the longtime establishments. Even so, the economic downturn has affected even these newly popular stores.

Part of the downtown problem is escalating rents since a new company took over most storefronts. Business owners could not pay triple the past year's rent and had to make other plans.

This business, a Bible store now converted to an urban fiction bookstore, was the subject of a paintball attack. Some may remember it as the old Lazaar's. (Correction: Boise's?)

All ages can now get their new kicks downtown, from pre-school to all grown up.

A downtown building that has many windows shuttered by blinds had just one that stood out - a very naked woman in full view of anybody. Even a police officer on special detail for the Christie visit was surprised by the sight. Apparently it is a large beach towel with the message, "A great towel for a great body." Hmm. So what goes on behind the rest of those windows?

Most likely Chris Christie was shepherded through the downtown so fast by his handlers that he didn't take time to peer around at such things. Still, it was eye-opening to get a possible new view of our downtown through the eyes of a visitor.

--Bernice Paglia

Interesting Legal Notices

An incomplete legal notice today left this writer wondering what it was all about. A "board," otherwise unidentified, was holding a special meeting today on the topic of facilities. Furthermore, it was a closed meeting to be conducted by telephone at 6 p.m. Could it be more cryptic?
Click here to see the notice. If anybody knows what it is all about, please comment.

Also in the paper today was a synopsis of the PMUA audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2008 in contrast to 2007. Click here to see it. It is likely that dumppmua.com will have something to say about this audit. The City Council is still planning a special work session on PMUA at 8 p.m. July 27 in Municipal Court.

--Bernice Paglia

"Parents Strongly Cautioned"

I am neither a TV viewer nor a movie-goer, so until I looked into it, I did not know much about ratings for viewers.

It seems the movie scheduled for viewing at the Aug. 28 event, "The Fast and the Furious 4," is rated PG 13, a category for which all may be admitted but for which parents are strongly cautioned for content.

Click here for an explanation of ratings.

We have no idea what age ranges will attend the movie night, but on the face of it, a milder rating might have been more suitable so as to safely include younger children.

The City Council approved a budget for the Music in the Plaza events, but if you are a resident and want to know how come it expanded to a car show and a dubious movie filming, let your elected officials know what you think. Here are links to your elected officials.

--Bernice Paglia

Chris Christie Tackles Plainfield

As part of a tour to address urban problems, former Attorney General (Correction: U.S. Attorney) and current Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie visited Plainfield. Here, Assemblyman Jerry Green attempts to challenge Christie as he concludes his downtown visit.

Christie appears to be trying to comprehend Green's impromptu questions.

Christie chats with the owner of Appliance-Arama, who told the gubernatorial candidate, "They're trying to take my building," referring to a still-unresolved eminent domain case on the PNC Bank block.

Suburban Jewelers owner Lisa Cohen explains issues of doing business in an urban center and Christie promises help.

At Bill's Luncheonette, customer Tracie Adams poses with Christie. She said she wants his support to help with crime, taxes and school issues.

The owner of Bill's Luncheonette, with his characteristic sprig of basil behind his ear, had no idea Christie was on his way to pay a visit.

Urban fiction author J.M. Benjamin told Christie how he turned his life around after serving time in prison.

The media gaggle was interesting, though this writer was not as competitive as others, leaving the coverage to the gainfully employed professionals. Check your print media and NJN, etc. for more details.

--Bernice Paglia

Too Much Info or Not Enough?

A past event in the plaza.

More details on this year's Music in the Plaza are now posted on the city web site.

Plaintalker had carped about the flashy card that heralds the events but doesn't say when they take place. A downloadable flyer on the city web site reveals that on July 31 and Aug. 28 there will be two concerts each day, one from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and another from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition, there will be a car show on Aug. 28, as well as a movie at 9:30 p.m.

However, a link to a web site on the card results in a slide show with slightly different information.

Picky, picky, picky - yes, I admit it. Too many years of getting the who, what, where of things have made me into a stickler for the facts. I pity the person who has to sort this all out for an "If you go" box in the newspaper.

And furthermore, learning that there are two concerts on each day only makes me more curious about the logistics and costs. Will there be two set-ups and break-downs each day? Attendees are told to bring their own chairs (and buttered popcorn) for the movie, but seating was provided for past concerts.

Communication continues to be a weak aspect of the current administration. It's one thing to get event planning wrong, but even the big stuff gets screwed up. Witness the last-minute, unpublished notice for a special meeting that then was canceled Monday. Oh well, it was only about $15 million and 180 new apartments.

--Bernice Paglia