Firsts For Plainfield

Two harmonious events on Jan. 1, 2006 marked the advent of the city’s first female mayor, Sharon Robinson-Briggs.

In a 3 p.m. gathering outside City Hall, Robinson-Briggs received good wishes and prayers from numerous religious leaders before being sworn in for a four-year term. In her remarks, Robinson-Briggs effusively thanked her supporters in a hard-fought campaign and pointed out she is not only the first female mayor, but also the first female African-American mayor.

A very large crowd filled City Hall Plaza in dank, chill weather for the swearing-in.

“I pledge to work hard every day on your behalf,” Robinson Briggs told the people.

At 5 p.m., the City Council held its annual reorganization in the Municipal Court, a block north of City Hall. In her State of the City address, Robinson-Briggs again thanked all her friends and family for their support of her campaign before outlining some goals for her administration.

Robinson-Briggs said she will look for more use of Urban Enterprise Zone funds to hire police - up to 35 percent of the available funding - to combat crime.

She also wants police deployment to be studied by the new acting Public Safety Director, Martin Hellwig, and may ask that a recent crime response plan be rescinded.

The plan, offered in several versions since Jiles Ship replaced Michael Lattimore as Public Safety Director in 2004, was most recently declared in effect with 24 days to go in 2005. But then Ship resigned before his term ended Dec. 31.

The mayor offered a number of cabinet appointees, but only in acting capacity. Carlton McGhee was approved as acting city administrator. The acting Public Affairs and Safety Director is Martin Hellwig. Jennifer Wenson Maier is acting Public Works and Urban Development Director, and former city administrator Norton Bonaparte is acting director of Administration, Finance, Health and Social Services.

Not wanting to break the spell, The Plaintalker chose not to ask the question, why not the normal four-year term concurrent with the mayor? The acting position is only for about 90 days. Answers will no doubt emerge in time.

A former corporation counsel, Dan Williamson, was sworn in to serve the new administration.

Councilman Rashid Burney, an appointee in 2005, was sworn in for the one-year balance of the term for the 2nd & 3rd Ward at-large seat. He will have to run this year for re-election.

Elliott Simmons was sworn in for a four-year term representing the 4th Ward.

Councilman Ray Blanco, who was voted in as the first Latino council president, also had a list of initiatives.

Blanco said the city must address crime with more walking patrols and downtown surveillance cameras. He also advocated an “arts district“ and said proposed road improvement projects must be monitored to ensure they meet deadlines.

Blanco also called for stabilization of taxes, cost control in city expenses and programs for youth.

Blanco vowed that the city will see erection of a new senior center in 2006 and suggested the city may see a new plan for a municipal complex encompassing multiple municipal needs, in contrast to recent spending of $1 million for roof repairs to just one city-owned building.

One of the happiest persons at the two events was Assemblyman Jerry Green, who was campaign manager for Robinson-Briggs. His supporters trounced a slate offered by two-term incumbent mayor Albert T. McWilliams and Green won back chairmanship of the Democratic Party.

Putting the strife behind, Robinson-Briggs said, “Today is Unity Day. Collectively, we made history today in Plainfield.“

--Bernice Paglia

KEYWORDS: administration 2006