Where the Wild Weeds Are

This photo was taken a few weeks ago. It is the walkway from Lot 7 to Park Avenue. Lots of students go through this lot to get to Plainfield High School and Evergreen Elementary School. In addition, on Sunday, Park Avenue church members park in Lot 7 and must make their way down the driveway.

Obviously, all these pedestrians must choose the driveway over the walkway.

One day recently, a bunch of workers including community service people spent most of a day cleaning Lot 7, but did not touch the walkway. Perhaps they did not make the connection that it is part of the parking lot.

In November, First Unitarian Society of Plainfield will be host to a widely-advertised production of the play, "Steel Magnolias." Publicity is being sent to Union, Middlesex and Somerset counties, with parking indicated in Lot 7.

Is this overgrown walkway really the face Plainfield wants to project to people from around Central Jersey who are attending the play?

My request to the DPW for action has so far gone unanswered. I had hoped to get this situation resolved before the pressures of leaf season, but nothing happened.

I must say I recognize the many extra DPW hours spent on various festivities in 2009, but what about the nuts and bolts of general upkeep? No offense to John Louise, who must cover all routine as well as extra ceremonial needs.

The coming year may require adjustments to meet fundamental staffing for basic needs and not so many add-ons. Let us hope sensibility will reign over show-time.

--Bernice Paglia