Some Images of 2008

With a single sentence, the office of police chief was marked for destruction after being an institution for 139 years.

West Eighth Street took on the look of a moonscape as the 2005 road repair program lurched into Year 2 (now called Phase II to skip over the years of no action).

The Rev. Carolyn Eklund leads a Palm Sunday procession with a focus on saving the city's hospital.

A very clever person immortalized this saying of Joseph Santiago, who came to Plainfield to stick up for having a police director instead of a chief.

City walls reflected a growing gang problem, which authorities confronted with a massive coordinated response resulting in hundreds of arrests.

Hey, isn't that Woody Harrelson? Yes, and his movie that was filmed in part on Block 832 (my block) will open in theaters in 2009. Check listings for "The Messenger."

Uh, maybe the downtown still needs a little shaping up.

Having won the June primary, Adrian Mapp made this play on his name as he marched with Obama supporters in the July 4th parade.

The city's second new community school opened in September with great fanfare. Emerson School was named for Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Months of repairs by the New Jersey American Water company included some spectacular leaks from temporary hoses. Here's one on Watchung Avenue.

Can we bank on a new Trader Joe's in the PNC building? The way the economy ended in 2008, don't bet the grocery money on it.

Thanks to all who have encouraged Plaintalker to keep writing and taking pictures. I hope to inform and amuse you again in 2009.

--Bernice Paglia