Mayor Will Perform Civil Unions
Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs will perform civil unions, she said in her State of the City address Monday.
Her announcement came as panoply of national flags popped up on a PowerPoint screen, with a rainbow flag in the middle. Gay marriage activist Joan Hervey let out a whoop and many in the audience applauded. The mayor asked for support from those who agreed with her stance and for tolerance from those who disagreed.
Hervey rose in public comment to thank the mayor for her “courage and commitment,” but no one protested and no one else spoke in favor of the announcement.
Other than that news and the mayor’s statement that she planned to reorganize city departments, the speech was mostly a long list of statistics and accomplishments. Robinson-Briggs dwelt on her theme of “Growth by Unity” and gave effusive thanks to her staff, the City Council, all city employees, Assemblyman Jerry Green and the public.
Green, pleased with the harmony of the current council and administration, called the occasion “one of the more happiest moments of my life.”
He noted that in past years, Plainfield had the reputation of a city with the governing body and administration at odds.
Council members chose Rayland Van Blake as president for the year and Don Davis as chairman of the whole to preside at agenda meetings.
Van Blake and Rashid Burney were sworn in for four-year terms on the council and Harold Gibson was sworn in for an unexpired term ending in 2008 succeeding the late Ray Blanco.
Newly-appointed City Administrator Marc Dashield was present Monday. Dashield is still finishing up obligations in Franklin Township, where he was chief financial officer, and will effectively be here Jan. 15.
The City Council approved numerous appointments to city boards and commissions Monday, but it remains to be seen whether these were the best choices. Some appeared to have political reasons for being chosen.
The issue of when the City Council will meet in 2007 is still up in the air. It may be mid-January before the 2007 calendar is adopted. The council may have to pay for a big legal notice with the past calendar for a couple of weeks and then a real calendar notice later on.
Among major accomplishments in 2006, the mayor noted approval of a new senior center, new initiatives against crime and other plans to improve the quality of life.
--Bernice Paglia
Her announcement came as panoply of national flags popped up on a PowerPoint screen, with a rainbow flag in the middle. Gay marriage activist Joan Hervey let out a whoop and many in the audience applauded. The mayor asked for support from those who agreed with her stance and for tolerance from those who disagreed.
Hervey rose in public comment to thank the mayor for her “courage and commitment,” but no one protested and no one else spoke in favor of the announcement.
Other than that news and the mayor’s statement that she planned to reorganize city departments, the speech was mostly a long list of statistics and accomplishments. Robinson-Briggs dwelt on her theme of “Growth by Unity” and gave effusive thanks to her staff, the City Council, all city employees, Assemblyman Jerry Green and the public.
Green, pleased with the harmony of the current council and administration, called the occasion “one of the more happiest moments of my life.”
He noted that in past years, Plainfield had the reputation of a city with the governing body and administration at odds.
Council members chose Rayland Van Blake as president for the year and Don Davis as chairman of the whole to preside at agenda meetings.
Van Blake and Rashid Burney were sworn in for four-year terms on the council and Harold Gibson was sworn in for an unexpired term ending in 2008 succeeding the late Ray Blanco.
Newly-appointed City Administrator Marc Dashield was present Monday. Dashield is still finishing up obligations in Franklin Township, where he was chief financial officer, and will effectively be here Jan. 15.
The City Council approved numerous appointments to city boards and commissions Monday, but it remains to be seen whether these were the best choices. Some appeared to have political reasons for being chosen.
The issue of when the City Council will meet in 2007 is still up in the air. It may be mid-January before the 2007 calendar is adopted. The council may have to pay for a big legal notice with the past calendar for a couple of weeks and then a real calendar notice later on.
Among major accomplishments in 2006, the mayor noted approval of a new senior center, new initiatives against crime and other plans to improve the quality of life.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 12:11 AM
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