Mapp, Taylor, Budget

How interesting to read in the Star-Ledger today that Union County Freeholder Adrian O. Mapp is Roselle’s new chief financial officer. Mapp served previously on the Plainfield City Council and was president of the New Democrats for Plainfield in 2006. See his message in the newsletter here. Assemblyman Jerry Green, who is also chairman of the Plainfield Democratic Committee, has made it clear he would not support Mapp for a second term as freeholder. Mapp won in 2004 on a ticket with Bette Jane Kowalski, this year’s freeholder chairwoman, and Democratic Party stalwart Daniel Sullivan. Mapp’s predecessor was Lewis Mingo Jr. of Plainfield. Will Green come up with another Plainfielder for the seat? We’ll find out in April.

Friends of former Mayor Richard L. Taylor are organizing an “Appreciation Dinner” in his honor and want Court Place to be renamed for him. The dinner is 4 to 8 p.m. March 17 at 111 E. Front St. If the City Council grants permission for the renaming, a ceremony will be held on Court Place at 3 p.m. March 17 preceding the dinner. Court Place is adjacent to the Municipal Court/Police Headquarters complex. Taylor was elected to City Council before becoming mayor. Since leaving office, he has become a minister.

The City Council will hold a special meeting Monday (Jan. 29, 2007) to introduce amendments to the FY 2007 budget. The meeting is 8 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave. The budget year began July 1, 2006 and the council is hoping to wrap up the budget process soon so tax bills can go out. Plaintalker expects to report on the amendments. The budget as presented to the council by the administration last fall reflected a tax increase of 8.2 percent and the council has been trying to get it down to about 3 percent.

--Bernice Paglia