Mapp Holds Town Hall Meeting
About 35 residents took up Councilman Adrian Mapp's invitation to ask questions and air their views about aspects of city government at a Town Hall meeting Thursday.
Of six topics on Mapp's proposed agenda, the state of city finances drew the most concern. After Mapp recently questioned who was certifying funds on resolutions up for council approval, it came out that the administration has had no permanent chief finance officer for the past two years and was using various individuals as acting CFOs. The state Division of Local Services has since said there is no such thing as an acting or interim CFO and has given the city 90 days to name a permanent CFO.
Resident Frank D'Aversa asked what happens if the city can't find one in 90 days. Mapp explained that the state will permit one 90-day extension, but pointed to information on a handout indicating a state employee could be assigned to serve in the role.
A CFO himself, Mapp said anyone can take classes to become certified for the title. An individual can be appointed as a temporary CFO and be permitted to work toward certification for a year. If certification is not achieved, one more year is allowed to complete the work. If unsuccessful, the person must step down.
Plainfield's veteran CFO, Peter Sepelya, was set to retire at the end of 2005, but was asked to stay on in 2006 by then-Council President Ray Blanco. Sepelya finally retired at the end of 2007 and there has been no permanent CFO since.
Jeanette Criscione asked how the council could be sure the city was following fiscal rules and regulations. Mapp said Rutgers University offers governmental courses for elected officials . But he said the council should be holding public forums and must demand accountability from the administration.
Mapp questioned City Administrator Marc Dashield's recent statement that there are only about 300 CFOs statewide and most are settled in their positions. Mapp said 865 people hold CFO licenses, although not all are working.
Others sought answers on terms of CFOs and how the city is keeping track of grant expiration dates. Plaintalker noted a high turnover in Administration & Finance directors and asked whether the department should be restored to purely fiscal operations as before Health & Social Services divisions were added in the mid-1990s.
Councilman Cory Storch said all divisions in the city's three departments need to be reviewed for realignment as the city faces hard budget decisions.
The 2010 budget for the year that began July 1 was the second item on Mapp's agenda. Republican mayoral candidate Jim Pivnichny asked Mapp to explain the ramifications of not having a budget in place. The budget has yet to be introduced and the city is operating on month-to-month appropriations to pay salaries and expenses.
Mapp said the administration is spending "for almost six months of the year" without a new plan in place.
"We don't have a budget," he said. "It's a bad thing."
Other topics on the agenda were the state of city roads, completion of a new senior center and veterans' center, a controversy over a volunteer-run baseball league versus a Recreation Division league and issues around the closure of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. Residents added a few more. Independent mayoral candidate Deborah Dowe called for prosecution of those who stole items from the Plainfield Public Library for sale on eBay and who stole light poles from the front of the main post office. Activist and blogger Renata Hernandez warned of a crisis in the school system and called for a commitment from residents to improve the district.
Dr. Harold Yood, also a blogger on city affairs, noted a low turnout at school board elections and questioned the status of a downtown senior center/condo development and Dudley House, a formerly city-run agency to rehabilitate former substance abusers.
Mapp had invited public officials to attend the meeting and Assemblyman Jerry Green took a front-row seat. A woman who did not give her name asked Mapp to let Green speak. Green, who is running for re-election, said he was not trying to run the city, but was "trying to keep the city out of trouble." He said he has asked people to apply for jobs in Plainfield, citing Police Director Martin Hellwig as an example of a successful hire. Green said he believes politics should stay out of government.
Mapp, a former Union County freeholder, previously served on the City Council and began a new term Jan. 1 as Third Ward councilman. He ran for mayor in the June primary, but lost to incumbent Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs by 336 votes. Four other candidates ran, some regarded as spoilers, garnering a total of 624 votes. In what was regarded as political retribution, Mapp was ousted earlier this year from his post as CFO in Roselle by a faction opposed to Mayor Garrett Smith.
With three years to go in his current council term, Mapp has become an outspoken advocate of reform in city government, especially in fiscal matters. He has also initiated Thursday evening office hours to meet with constituents and plans to hold more forums. To see his blog, "Mapping It Out," click here.
--Bernice Paglia
Of six topics on Mapp's proposed agenda, the state of city finances drew the most concern. After Mapp recently questioned who was certifying funds on resolutions up for council approval, it came out that the administration has had no permanent chief finance officer for the past two years and was using various individuals as acting CFOs. The state Division of Local Services has since said there is no such thing as an acting or interim CFO and has given the city 90 days to name a permanent CFO.
Resident Frank D'Aversa asked what happens if the city can't find one in 90 days. Mapp explained that the state will permit one 90-day extension, but pointed to information on a handout indicating a state employee could be assigned to serve in the role.
A CFO himself, Mapp said anyone can take classes to become certified for the title. An individual can be appointed as a temporary CFO and be permitted to work toward certification for a year. If certification is not achieved, one more year is allowed to complete the work. If unsuccessful, the person must step down.
Plainfield's veteran CFO, Peter Sepelya, was set to retire at the end of 2005, but was asked to stay on in 2006 by then-Council President Ray Blanco. Sepelya finally retired at the end of 2007 and there has been no permanent CFO since.
Jeanette Criscione asked how the council could be sure the city was following fiscal rules and regulations. Mapp said Rutgers University offers governmental courses for elected officials . But he said the council should be holding public forums and must demand accountability from the administration.
Mapp questioned City Administrator Marc Dashield's recent statement that there are only about 300 CFOs statewide and most are settled in their positions. Mapp said 865 people hold CFO licenses, although not all are working.
Others sought answers on terms of CFOs and how the city is keeping track of grant expiration dates. Plaintalker noted a high turnover in Administration & Finance directors and asked whether the department should be restored to purely fiscal operations as before Health & Social Services divisions were added in the mid-1990s.
Councilman Cory Storch said all divisions in the city's three departments need to be reviewed for realignment as the city faces hard budget decisions.
The 2010 budget for the year that began July 1 was the second item on Mapp's agenda. Republican mayoral candidate Jim Pivnichny asked Mapp to explain the ramifications of not having a budget in place. The budget has yet to be introduced and the city is operating on month-to-month appropriations to pay salaries and expenses.
Mapp said the administration is spending "for almost six months of the year" without a new plan in place.
"We don't have a budget," he said. "It's a bad thing."
Other topics on the agenda were the state of city roads, completion of a new senior center and veterans' center, a controversy over a volunteer-run baseball league versus a Recreation Division league and issues around the closure of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. Residents added a few more. Independent mayoral candidate Deborah Dowe called for prosecution of those who stole items from the Plainfield Public Library for sale on eBay and who stole light poles from the front of the main post office. Activist and blogger Renata Hernandez warned of a crisis in the school system and called for a commitment from residents to improve the district.
Dr. Harold Yood, also a blogger on city affairs, noted a low turnout at school board elections and questioned the status of a downtown senior center/condo development and Dudley House, a formerly city-run agency to rehabilitate former substance abusers.
Mapp had invited public officials to attend the meeting and Assemblyman Jerry Green took a front-row seat. A woman who did not give her name asked Mapp to let Green speak. Green, who is running for re-election, said he was not trying to run the city, but was "trying to keep the city out of trouble." He said he has asked people to apply for jobs in Plainfield, citing Police Director Martin Hellwig as an example of a successful hire. Green said he believes politics should stay out of government.
Mapp, a former Union County freeholder, previously served on the City Council and began a new term Jan. 1 as Third Ward councilman. He ran for mayor in the June primary, but lost to incumbent Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs by 336 votes. Four other candidates ran, some regarded as spoilers, garnering a total of 624 votes. In what was regarded as political retribution, Mapp was ousted earlier this year from his post as CFO in Roselle by a faction opposed to Mayor Garrett Smith.
With three years to go in his current council term, Mapp has become an outspoken advocate of reform in city government, especially in fiscal matters. He has also initiated Thursday evening office hours to meet with constituents and plans to hold more forums. To see his blog, "Mapping It Out," click here.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 6:50 AM
12 Comments:
Bernice, Green could not possibly have said that we should keep politics out of government. He doesn't know the meaning of doing something for the overall good.
If he truly wanted to keep politics out of government, the board and commission vacancies, of which there are many, would be filled by all sorts of citizens who want to servce. Not just those who are politically friendly to Green. I really think he is losing it. And I really hope he looses it on November 3.
Councilman Mapp should be commended for holding these meetings. I am stunned that the administration which claims to care so much wouldn't even have the intelligence to send a representative to listen. It would have been a good lesson for the mayor and her cabinet in civility and decency.
The city administration did send a representative: Jerry Green. No more evidence need be sought as to who is truly in charge of Plainfield.
35 people. Thats pretty good. I remember the mayor held a community forum back in the spring to which about 6 people came. I guess they forgot to kidnap the seniors and put them on a bus to bring them.
Only 35, and in political season? I trust your number, Bernice, but Mapp must have been disappointed.
Jerry's statement that he was "trying to keep the city out of trouble" is an admission that the current mayor isn't able to do that on her own. Please vote Tuesday and vote Pivnichny.
This train wreck is Jerry Green keeping Plainfield out of trouble???? Damn, I would hate to see it if he didn't give a damn( Rob rolling eyes )
wow 35 people! I'm impressed! Mapp, you are truly a power broker!
To Assistant Mayor Sharon or Mayor Jerry posting at 11:56AM ( oops.. I mean Anonymous- wink wink ) At least Councilor Mapp didn't have to kidnap at group of Seniors,hold them hostage until the end of the evening with the promise of free food...
Keep these forums. You'll get even more turnout when residents see that the administration will be held accountable for their wasteful spending.
It's a shame that our soon to be ex-mayor hasn't tried to find out what's on the minds of the citizens of Plainfield. I know Gerry is getting tired of doing her work for her, since she is too incompetent to do her own work.
What a farce.
The classic line of a useless politicain is when he says "we need to hold the administration accountable".
That means nothing! It is equivilant to says "I am going to work hard for you".
Those who keep falling for the same "accountability" must understand - accountability is a code term for "I am going to blame someone else".
As long as you keep falling for that, you are perpetuating the uselessness in politics.
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