Commentary: A Wynn-Wynn Situation

Yet another hour of the governing body's time and energy was spent Monday on how to settle a conflict between a volunteer youth baseball league and the city's Recreation Division, which launched its own league with paid coaches this year. Both leagues need access to municipal ball fields, but the Queen City Baseball League has had lights turned off, bases under lock and key, its banner vanished and other signs that the Recreation Division accidentally or on purpose is making the season difficult for its 50 or 60 young players.

In talks and protests since last fall, parents and coaches have suggested that Recreation Superintendent Dave Wynn's style of management is part of the problem or maybe is the problem. There was supposed to have been a sitdown last fall with Wynn and the administration to get to the bottom of the issues, but on May 3, Queen City players and advocates packed City Hall Library and had the ears of the governing body for two hours.

The clash is taking up many hours out of the lives of City Administrator Bibi Taylor and Public Works & Urban Development Director David Brown II, as well as the seven council members and the mayor. Calls are being fielded at all hours, from what Taylor said Monday, and Public Works Superintendent John Louise is being dragged into it as well.

When Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs was first elected in 2006, she said publicly there was not enough for children to do in Plainfield. Wynn correctly pointed out the city's huge roster of athletic programs and events for children and before long, the mayor was one of Wynn's most staunch supporters. Even when council members later sought to cut back on public events as the economy worsened, Wynn dodged the fiscal bullet. But some events took on political overtones, such as the Music in the Plaza series that featured the mayor's re-election campaign image on all its promotional materials.

The situation escalated Monday with the council proposing passage of two ordinances aimed at defusing the problem by changing who would be responsible for field access.The mayor was absent, but Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson, the most highly paid city employee, read off a series of remarks from the mayor, including one in which she threatened legal action if the council passed the ordinances.

"I am very sorry to hear that," Council President Annie McWilliams said, but noted seven days had elapsed without the administration naming a requested "point person" to replace Wynn in the current dispute.

Both measures failed, with McWilliams, Adrian Mapp and Rashid Burney voting "yes" and Linda Carter, Bridget Rivers and William Reid voting "no." Cory Storch was absent.

Then there was the notion that a newly-minted Recreation Committee, advisory in nature, should be made into full-blown commission with broader powers. Taylor objected, saying that would produce another budget line item with no duties assigned.

Responding to the mayor's suggestion of possible legal action against the council, Mapp noted budget decisions are coming up and said the "next level" might be to remove salaries from the Recreation Division.

Despite the heated nature of the controversy, Taylor described it at one point like this: "When you start a new program and mesh it with the old, you will have hiccups."

Apparently in this case, you will also have an ever-expanding sphere of well-compensated officials trying to deal with what time the ballfield lights should go out and why bases are being stored in the ladies' bathroom.

It is hard to conceive of any other organization where a middle manager can be at the center of a months'-long controversy without suffering any consequences. Parents and coaches are upset, children are perplexed, government officials are being drawn in when they have plenty of other things to deal with in these still precarious times.

Two commenters at the end of the meeting summed up their feelings, which no doubt many Plainfielders share.

Dwayne Wilkins of the new Recreation Committee said of seeing the children at the May 3 meeting, "I struggle with that."

Their plight "should not have to go to the highest levels of government," he said.

Lamar Mackson, who grew up in the city in what he described as "simpler times," said he was "hurt and distraught by what we're doing here."

"When you look at the headlines, there is nothing but distress coming from Plainfield," he said.

Mackson said he wants to see things that put Plainfield in a better light.

He said of the controversy, "It's just unconscionable."

--Bernice Paglia

A list of Plainfield's agencies, boards and commissions

The City of Plainfield has established many agencies, boards and commissions that provide public oversight and guidance for the complex operations of the city. The Plaintalker has compiled a list of these entities, however readers should keep in mind that this is a condensed overview extracted from the 32-pages of documents we received from the City Clerk's office last week

AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Auxiliary Police Officers : There are 27 individuals currently listed, terms expire 12/31/05

Beautification Committee, can have up to 40 members concurrent with term of mayor. Six members, all terms expired. Having the most potential members, this committee currently has the highest number of vacant seats.

Citizens Advisory Committee: Can have 14 citizen members out of 31, only two listed.

Board of Adjustment: Seven residents, two terms expire Jan. 1.

Cultural & Heritage Commission: Can have 20 members, has 14 members, six terms expire Jan. 1.

Emergency Management Council: City staff only.

Green Brook Flood Control Commission: Two council designees, both terms expire Jan. 1.

Health Advisory Council: Seven vacancies, no new names since 1996.

Historic Preservation Commission: Nine regular members, two alternates, direct mayoral appointments. List is unclear, duplicate names; one vacancy .

Housing Authority: Seven members, five appointed by council, one by mayor, one by state. Mayoral appointment and one council appointment expire in July 2006.

Human Relations Commission: Nine citizens, all terms expired.

Independence Day Committee: Nine members, all terms expired.

Insurance Fund Commission: Staff only.

Local Emergency Management Council: All 19 terms expired 1/1/93. Replaced by Emergency Management Council.

Local Assistance Board: Ordinance must be repealed, Welfare transferred to Union County in 1998.

Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority: Two terms, both expired.

Plainfield Action Services Community Action Board: Fifteen seats listed, 12 expired, three vacant.

Plainfield Cable Television Advisory Committee: Sixteen residents in six classes, including seven citizens. All citizen terms expired.

Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority: Five members, two alternates, one City Council representative. Two terms end in February 2006.

Planning Board: Nine members in four classes, including six citizens. Two terms up Jan. 1.

Plainfield Redevelopment Agency: Disbanded.

Project Alert Advisory Board: Eleven members, all terms expired 1/1/95.

Property Improvement Awards Committee: Inactive.

Public Library Trustees: Seven members, including five citizens. One term expires Sept. 1.

Recreation Advisory Committee: Nine members, six terms expired, three vacancies.

Youth Guidance Council: Seven members. Inactive.

NOTE: The Hispanic Affairs Commission that was newly approved by City Council earlier this year did not appear in the documents we received.

In addition to these official groups, there are a number of ad hoc committees such as the Ten Cities Tree Committee, popularly known as the "Tree Committee. " Such groups may or may not meet on a regular basis, and they do not have official standing at the present time.

The Plaintalker welcomes corrections and additions to this list.

--Bernice Paglia and Barbara Todd Kerr

KEYWORDS: boards, commissions

Parade Committee Will Be All-Plainfield

A revived Independence Day Committee will become legal slightly after the holiday is past.

The City Council will vote this week on the ordinance to recast the committee with all-Plainfield residents. But if passed Wednesday (May 17, 2006), the measure will not be up for final approval until June 21 and the 20 days must elapse before it takes effect.

The proposed ordinance gives the committee the power to solicit funds for the event. It calls for nine members serving three-year terms. A list of committees provided by the City Clerk’s office last year showed eight members on the former committee, all of whose terms expired in 1993.

Asked Monday about the timetable, City Council President Ray Blanco confirmed that the committee would not be legally constituted in time for this year’s event, but will serve in the future.

Previously, as many as nine municipalities took part in the Central Jersey July 4th parade that marched west on Front Street before turning north to a Somerset Street reviewing stand in North Plainfield.

But towns dropped out over the joint parade’s 78-year history and most recently, North Plainfield developed its own parade and related events. Since 2002, the city has held the parade starting in the East End and ending at Park Avenue and Front Street. Both Plainfield and North Plainfield have organized musical performances and fireworks to celebrate the day.

The city parade attracts several thousand viewers each year.

Plainfield has used both volunteers and a paid event coordinator to organize its own parade since the split.

Recreation Director Dave Wynn is also asking City Council permission to hold an outdoor luncheon at Hugo’s on Front Street to celebrate the parade. Officials said the city traditionally hosts a luncheon for dignitaries and volunteer organizers of the parade.

Hugo’s is a new restaurant located at the former Lily Greenleaves site.

The council received notice of other festive plans. They include the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority’s annual Environmental Fair on Sept. 16, a concert series at the Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue on four dates starting in June and the 6th Annual Latin American Heritage Festival, this year to be held at Library Park.

--Bernice Paglia

Lots of Volunteers Needed

Volunteers will be in high demand on September 8.

Not only is the Division of Recreation attempting to revive the annual Outdoor Festival of Art in Library Park, the division is also calling for volunteers to help out at six playgrounds for the 2nd Annual Community Fun Day. The contact number for both events is (908) 753-3097.

Art Festival organizers in past years worked over the course of a year preceding each event to line up artists and arrange all the other details. This year, July came and went without an art festival. Now the Division of Recreation is trying to pull it off in five weeks. But the first committee meeting reportedly only attracted two volunteers.

The remaining committee meetings for the 44th Annual Plainfield Outdoor Festival of Art are scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Division of Recreation 0ffice, 510 Watchung Ave., on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 and 7. Topics will include entertainment; artist and vendor contacts; park set-up; contestant and judging procedures; and work to be done on the day of the event. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 8.

For the 2nd Annual Community Fun Day, the Division of Recreation is seeking volunteers to bring food and grills to Milt Campbell and Seidler fields and Bryant School, Hannah Atkins, Rushmore and Mathewson playgrounds. Volunteers are also needed for face painting, cooking, serving and clean-up. The events, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 8, will feature give-aways, games and music in addition to food and face painting.

My inner curmudgeon is muttering, “A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part,” but maybe those of sunnier disposition will rise to the occasion. Remember, to volunteer, call (908) 753-3097.

Council Asked to Resolve Baseball Dispute

Parents, coaches and about 60 young baseball players crowded City Hall Library Monday, seeking resolution to a six-month clash that intensified recently
.
Speakers said the Queen City Baseball League had lights turned off and were locked out of a field house on grounds shared with another league operated by the city's Recreation Division. The league's banner disappeared and players could not hold opening day ceremonies in other examples of what one speaker called "purposeful sabotage." In one instance, the lights went out just as a pitch was thrown, raising safety concerns.

Youngsters dropped their home-made protest signs to applaud their supporters, but as the comments became more acrimonous, adults began cautioning each other not to argue in front of the kids.

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs apologized for a game being canceled Thursday and said, "I don't believe anybody did anything malicious to hurt the kids. The city of Plainfield would never
do anything to hurt the children."

Robinson-Briggs pledged that the banner would be replaced and said the city supports both leagues. She said she had met with league directors to "discuss ways the city could be supportive" of the volunteer Queen City league, but after proposing joint fundraisers, she "never heard another word."

"If the adults don't see eye to eye, I'll work with the kids," she said.

Responding to an issue about bases being locked up, Robinson-Briggs piled a table high with new bases and equipment bags, saying, "This is a sincere olive branch."

But someone yelled from the crowd that the bases were the wrong kind.

City Council President Annie McWilliams asked City Administrator Bibi Taylor to respond to the issues and Taylor said the new lights on timers and the changed locks were being reviewed by Public Works & Urban Development Director David Brown II. As Taylor mentioned scheduling and access concerns, the league's executive director, Karen Glencamp-Daniel, asked, "Why so much secrecy?"

McWilliams asked the council members to consider what role they could take, noting the governing body started "with one list" last fall.

"We now have a laundry list of other items," she said.

Although Taylor is trying to resolve the issues in a timely manner, McWilliams said, "She shouldn't be doing this."

As city administrator, Taylor is in charge of the day-to-day workings of municipal government. She is also the acting director of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services and oversees the city's othe two departments, Public Affairs & Safety and Public Works & Urban Development.

With Glencamp-Daniel seated at the council table to respond to Taylor, an advocate of the Recreation Division's league, Roland Crawford Muhammad, attempted to sit at the table as well.

"You're not helping the situation," McWilliams said, advising him to step back or she would have him removed by police.

By now, the council was an hour ad a half into the meeting and had not yet begun its own agenda.

Robinson-Briggs said she wanted both leagues' representatives at the table, to which Councilman Adrian Mapp replied, "The games that are being played here are not the game of baseball."

Mapp said the administration had not taken responsibility for what had transpired so far with the league, but Robinson-Briggs retorted, "It sure does," and added "You should give me respect - I am your mayor."

"I don't think you should argue in front of the kids," Councilwoman Bridget Rivers said, but Mapp said he was not arguing.

"Let me be the one to moderate the meeting," McWilliams said, but Mapp insisted the mayor had to take responsibility for the situation.

"The buck stops with the mayor," he said, noting there have been good faith efforts to resolve the issues.

Mapp called for a "directive to the Recreation Division" for "unfettered access" to the ballfield.

"Queen City did not come here for handouts, they came here for a solution," Mapp said.

The mayor said she was not going to debate the subject with the council and added, "The election is over, councilman."

Robinson-Briggs defeated Mapp in the June 2009 primary and won re-election in November.

As the discussion continued, the council agreed that someone neutral should be named in the short term to be in charge of the lights and the locks, but the longterm solution would have to come about through amendments to an ordinance governing use of the ballfield. The mayor said the topic will be part of her Wednesday cabinet meeting and assured the council there would be a point person identified by Thursday.

Most of the crowd left after two hours of talk on the league issues, but after midnight Glencamp Daniel revived some issues during citizen comments, concluding by saying, "Some people seem to have a blanket of immunity."

The mayor responded by citing a conversation with Glencamp-Daniel in which she asked her to tone down her remarks.

"If we are to work together, there can't be any fingerpointing," she said.

Dwayne Wilkins of the newly-formed Recreation Advisory Committee said all members were "happy to serve," especially in light of Monday's discussion.

Wilkins said the committee was empowered to work with the Recreation Division "so issues don't bubble up."

--Bernice Paglia

Independence Day Plans Ready

Besides being the time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of the summer season. After summer begins officially on June 21, the next big occasion is Independence Day and the city will be ready to celebrate, Recreation Director Dave Wynn said Friday.

Even though a new all-Plainfield Independence Day Committee will not be finalized until after the holiday, an ad-hoc committee of city staff and volunteers has been working on arrangements for the July 4th parade, Wynn said.

“Hopefully, this will be the best parade in a long time,” he said.

The theme, “Declaration of Unity,” will echo the motto of the new administration, “Growth Through Unity.” And Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, the city’s first African-American female mayor, will be the grand marshal, Wynn said.

The city will hold its observance on July 4, even though this year it falls on a Tuesday.

The crowd-pleasing parade will step off at Johnston Avenue and proceed to a reviewing stand at Park Avenue and Front Street. It will include bands, floats, balloons, community groups and a special tribute to the Negro League baseball players, Wynn said.

The committee is still signing up volunteers for many aspects of the parade. Anyone interested can call (908) 753-3097 to sign up.

All volunteers will receive commemorative parade T-shirts, Wynn said.

The parade formerly included as many as nine Central Jersey towns, but over the years participation and financial support dwindled. Several years ago, North Plainfield announced its own parade plans, calling a halt to the route that had included a turn north on Somerset Street to a reviewing stand at Somerset School in the borough.

The city then began holding its own parade, with evening fireworks in Cedarbrook Park in Plainfield instead of Green Brook Park, which is at the North Plainfield border.

“The fireworks will be fabulous,” Wynn promised.

They will start at 9:30 p.m., he said.

The committee is still working on putting together a concert to round out the day’s festivities.

In the week before the parade, there will be a carnival at the Plainfield High School soccer field, Wynn said. It will be run by a combination of church and non-profit groups, not by the city, he said. The proposed dates are June 27 through July 2, he said.

Wynn said the city’s events will cost about $25,000 to $30,000 and will stress patriotism.

Past parades were criticized for lack of American flags, poor pacing that left viewers waiting a long time for the next float or band to come in view, inappropriate displays by dancers and general disarray. All that is over with, Wynn said.

Viewers should plan to bring chairs, sunshades and water, as the parade is usually from three to four hours long.

-- Bernice Paglia

Dashield: Zero Tax Increase Means Deep Cuts

To meet a budget advisory group’s call for a zero tax increase, the city would have to take drastic measures including slashing police and fire personnel and eliminating the Recreation Division, City Administrator Marc Dashield said Monday.

Dashield gave a budget overview at Monday’s City Council agenda session. The presentation was not on the agenda, but was mentioned on Councilman Rashid Burney’s blog, where he called on the public to attend the meeting. Burney, head of the council’s Finance Committee, also advocated establishment of the 16-member Citizens Budget Advisory Committee that studied the FY 2009 budget and made its recommendations on Nov. 24.

Dashield explained that most of the budget pays for public safety, including 23.53 percent for the Police Division and 14.35 percent for the Fire Division. Insurance, pensions and debt account for another 33.8 percent and all other city functions make up the balance of 28.47 percent. He outlined measures the city has taken to curb costs in each category, but said contractual salary increases of $2.2 million and other personnel-related expenses added up to a $4 million increase. To offset it, the city is counting on $1 million in increased revenues, a $150,000 health insurance giveback and $1.7 in other reductions in order for the FY 2009 budget to come in at just $2 million over last year.

To get to zero, the city would have to lay off 98 people, or 21 percent of the workforce, including more than 30 police officers and 30 firefighters. Streets and roads worker would have to be cut 43 percent, more than 18 other employees would have to be laid off and the Recreation Division would have to be eliminated, he said.

Dashield gave a sweeping list of city services and programs that would have to be reduced or eliminated, including loss of one of the city’s three fire companies, no road repair or reconstruction, elimination of all special events including the July 4th celebration and less cleaning of streets and sidewalks.

Resident Gail Bayse, who had a laptop loaded with budget statistics from Burney’s web site, called attention to the general economic climate.

“We’re in a time when no one is getting a salary increase,” she said.

Bayse also questioned overtime and “$30 million in ‘other expenses,’ “ as reflected in the budget.

“I can’t believe we couldn’t come up with $4 million,” she said.

As projected, the budget reflects a more than 9 percent tax increase.

Although Burney had pressed for resolution of the budget by the end of the month, the city has still not heard how much extraordinary state aid it will receive. The timetable for passage will now go over into the third quarter of the budget year that began July 1, meaning half of the FY 2009 salaries and expenses will have already been paid out.

Other residents questioned the need for city cell phones and vehicles for officials and asked how the city can keep raising taxes in what has been called the worst economic times since the Great Depression.

“You can’t keep squeezing the stone,” resident Quin Jarrett said.

Dashield briefly spoke about revenues, but will give a full presentation next Monday at a 7 p.m. meeting in City Hall Library. Burney and City Clerk Laddie Wyatt clashed over the nature of the meeting, which will include voting matters even though the council officially closed out the year at last week’s regular meeting.

“You’re going against the law, but go ahead,” Wyatt said.

“Am I wrong?” Burney asked.

“Yes,” Wyatt said.

Burney said the council needs to authorize the tax collector to send out estimated tax bills, otherwise the city will be billing in April for February taxes. In addition, the city needs to approve a temporary budget and may also need to approve a contract to place a restroom at the Bryant Park playground before the end of the year, Burney said.

--Bernice Paglia

Some Budget Numbers

Last night I had to attend the Shade Tree Commission meeting upstairs in City Hall while the budget presentation took place in the library. I look forward to reading reports from Mark and Alexi.

However, in the afternoon I did take a fast spin through the budget statement (a summary document required by the state, not the big budget book) and found a few interesting numbers.

Police salaries, which totaled $12,766,420 in FY 2008, show a 7 percent increase to $13,720,950.72 for FY 2009. There probably isn't much that can be done about that figure, as most of the force is at the top of the salary scale. Fire salaries are up 3.9 percent. The council and budget committee can ask Fire Chief Cecil Allen and Public Affairs & Safety/Police Director Martin Hellwig about what is contributing to these increases.

Recreation shows a 6 percent salary increase, from $704,564 to 4748,298. Recreation Director Dave Wynn will be called on the explain the difference.

The mayor's office has a 5 percent increase, from $137,572 to $144,331.

If the figures in the statement are correct, Public Information salaries will increase 67 percent, from $77,728 to $130,391. Other expenses will increase 51 percent, from $72,676 to $110,000. The mayor has said recently that the two-person division really needs three people. The city also advertised for a media consultant to help out. But given the poor results over the past three years, pouring money on the problem is something the council and committee will have to justify if they agree with the administration's allotments.

Municipal Court shows a 14 percent decrease in salaries, from $910,181 to $779,765. Last year, the court had a decrease in revenue from fines and penalties as crime also decreased. Maybe that is a factor.

The salary amount for Community Relations and Social Services doubles, from $56,567.96 to $108,402 and other expenses increase 74 percent from $2,500 to $4,351. These are small amounts in the overall budget, but will still require explanation.

The part of the meeting that I did hear was encouraging, as new Finance Director Douglas Peck described a focus on better management. Too bad Peck is the fifth person in that seat since the administration took office in 2006. Thirty-three months are up this month and only 15 are left to do better.

--Bernice Paglia

July 4 Concert Rejected

The City Council shot down a proposed July 4 concert Wednesday (June 21, 2006), with headliners Floetry and Howard Hewitt, by refusing to approve a $55,000 budget transfer to fund the event.

Council members were displeased on Monday (June 19, 2006) that Recreation Director Dave Wynn could not provide complete budget details for the city’s July 4th celebration.

The event has traditionally included a daytime parade with a concert and fireworks in the evening. But the city has lost the support of surrounding towns for the event and is now mounting the parade and related events on its own.

The council previously voted down the use of more than $100,000 in Urban Enterprise Zone funds for a concert at Cedar Brook Park.

The proposed transfer would have used unexpended funds from the Inspections Division to pay for the concert. Promoter Hassan Sharif told the council Monday the two performers had committed to the date, but needed written confirmation from the city regarding payment.

On Wednesday (June 21, 2006) the council first voted down the budget transfer, then rejected a resolution that would have paid Sharif’s firm, HSP Inc., $51,850 to serve as “marketing and event planner” for the concert.

The council approved spending $10,500 for fireworks at Cedar Brook Park on July 4, to be provided by the renowned firm of Garden State Fireworks.

Council approval Wednesday of an ordinance establishing an Independence Day Committee will only kick in next year, Council President Ray Blanco said.

Meanwhile, Wynn and an ad hoc committee are putting together this year’s July 4th celebration.

Wynn said he has 34 entrants for the parade, including an 80-piece band from Washington, DC. Wynn said the Plainfield Special Improvement District had agreed to pay for the band’s transportation costs.

Council concerns included knowing the total cost of the event, even the city Public Works and police expenses for cleanup and security.

“Someone should know how much it is going to cost us,” Councilman Don Davis said. “Someone should know how much it cost last year.”

City Administrator Carlton McGee said costs were “scattered all over the place” and made a pitch for a “budget function” approach to the data.

Councilman Elliott Simmons said, “This is the 83rd parade - how did you do the other 82?”

Since support from other towns waned and then ceased, the city has taken various approaches to organizing the popular event. On Monday, Wynn said the Recreation Division had nothing to do with last year's parade, because the city had hired a consultant for $20,000.

But council members chided Wynn for not having all the facts about this year’s plans.

“It’s two weeks before the event,” Councilwoman Linda Carter said.

--Bernice Paglia

Filing Deadline, Council Meeting Today

Plaintalker will post the names of candidates for mayor and Fourth Ward as soon as possible after the 4 p.m. filing deadline today. Early indications are that the mayoral field will be large.

I was surprised to find out that a web crawler is picking up local blogs and putting them on AOL. Not sure how long this has been going on. I normally don't scroll all the way down the AOL Welcome Screen but did so over the weekend and discovered Plaintalker, Maria's Blog and Plainfield Today posted there. My blog posts used to show up on Topix.net but now only Gannett articles seem to be posted for Plainfield.

Anyway, click here to see the agenda for tonight's City Council meeting. Dr. Harold Yood has already highlighted some of the topics on his blog, "Doc's Potpourri."

The mayor has asked for time to discuss the Plainfield Rescue Squad. City Council President Rashid Burney has already posted on his blog, "As I See It," his stance on expanding the citizen advisory committees to four. Burney also invites people to hear a talk tonight on deer management. Although his emphasis is on the health risks deer can bring to your back yard, last fall deer ran through the Park & Seventh corridor during rutting season, creating a traffic hazard. One was struck by a car on Park Avenue.

Recreation Director Dave Wynn is asking permission for several banners, including one for the July 4 celebration, although the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee suggested eliminating the parade during these harsh economic times. The mayor is also asking permission to hang the banner that was put up on the front of City Hall last week. She wants it up until September.

With all the local online resources , residents can get a pretty good feel for what is going on. If these new committees get approved, 56 citizens will be needed to serve on them. Let your councilperson know if you want to take part. Click here to get their e-mail addresses.

For those who have voiced dissatisfaction with the new schedule, please note the time allotted for public comment will be doubled to one hour if the council approves a resolution at the April 13 regular meeting. Some may still feel slighted, as their individual three minutes to speak will not increase.

Personally, I will be watching to see how long the meetings run with only one agenda session and one regular meeting per month, when council committee reports and citizen committee presentations are added in. Attending the meetings and then writing blog posts can make for a long night.

--Bernice Paglia

Ballot Question No. 2

As a member of Plainfield’s Ten Cities Tree Committee, I attended the 81st annual meeting of the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation in Cherry Hill Friday. Among the many things I learned was that every voter has a chance this year to decide on helping the future of the state's outdoor treasures.

Specifically, Public Question No. 2 asks voters to decide on a constitutional amendment that would provide “a dedicated source of funding for maintenance and capital improvements at the state’s parks, historic sites and wildlife areas,” according to information from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

A lack of reliable funding has caused a backlog of deferred maintenance and improvements with a tab of up to $250 million. The proposed source of funding is a shift in revenues from the existing Corporate Business Tax Fund to allow more money for development of lands for recreation and conservation.

Everyone in this densely populated state probably has a special getaway destination within the state system. The handout on the ballot question cites sunsets at Island Beach State Park, fall foliage spectacles at High Point, fireworks at Liberty State Park and birding at Cape May Point as examples. To put this kind of enjoyment in perspective, NJDEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson included these numbers in an article for the New Jersey Conference of Mayors:

“With the recent proposal to create three new urban state parks in Trenton, Paterson and River Edge, New Jersey’s state park system has grown to 42 parks, 11 forests, three recreation areas, 43 natural areas and more than 50 historic sites and districts. It also includes several marinas and a golf course. These lands, which contain some of the most significant natural landscapes and historic sites in the state, account for more than 397,000 acres.
In the last 15 years, annual visitation to the state’s parks, forests and historic sites has increased by nearly 50 percent. Over the past five years, an average of 15 million visitors per year used the state park system's sites and facilities. In 2005, that number climbed to more than 18 million people. Just this Fourth of July, more than 70,000 people visited Liberty State Park to celebrate our nation’s independence.”

The question and an interpretive statement appear at the top of the sample ballot that each registered voter should have just received. Uses for the 4 percent of revenue currently allocated for environmental purposes would be expanded to include upkeep of the state sites and facilities. No new taxes would result from a “yes” vote on the public question.

If it passes, at least 15 percent of the dedicated funds would be authorized for the proposed use, with an additional 17 percent in 2016. Currently, the 4 percent of CBT funds for environmental purposes is split among hazardous discharge cleanup, air pollution control, water quality and underground storage tank programs.

If it does not pass, the funding for the repairs and improvements at state parks, historic sites and wildlife areas would have to come directly from the state budget.

The state’s beaches, highlands and rich roster of historic places provide families and individuals with unique recreational choices. Both current and former residents can easily evoke a sense of life in New Jersey by thinking of favorite state sites. The ballot question deserves attention on Nov. 7. Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

--Bernice Paglia

City Faces Hard Budget Choices

Layoffs and unfilled vacancies are only two of the strategies Plainfield must employ in the new budget year while still keeping up vital services, City Administrator Marc Dashield told the City Council Monday.

The council will be asked to vote Nov. 16 on introduction of the State Fiscal Year 2010 budget year, after which the governing body can have its say on the final budget. Factors impacting their decisions will be the national recession, decreased revenues, increased pension costs and the slim possibility of receiving extraordinary state aid to offset a tax increase.

As it is, the owner of an average home valued at $113,000 is looking at a projected tax increase of $400 just for municipal taxes. But in a pitch to the state for more than $3 million in extraordinary state aid, the administration said county and school taxes are also expected to increase for a combined tax increase of perhaps $618 on the average home.

Last year, the city received no extraordinary state aid and lessened the tax impact only by taking a "pension holiday" to defer costs which now must be paid in full, plus an increase.

In the face of hardship, Dashield said the city's three main priorities in the SFY 2010 budget are public safety, continued investment in road improvements and investments in information technology.

Naming crime reduction as the number one priority of the administration, Dashield said public safety costs take up 36 percent of the projected budget. Insurance and pension costs are second at 28 percent, followed by Public Works at 10 percent.

The presentation caught both City Council President Rashid Burney and new Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services Director Bibi Taylor unaware. Council members also raised questions and objections to the administration's submission of the request for extraordinary aid before budget introduction. Dashield explained the discrepancy as an accommodation made by the state Division of Local Government Services to allow the city to meet the deadline for applications.

"What concerns me is the lack of openness with the governing body," Councilman Adrian Mapp said. "We as the governing body deserve more respect."

Dashield said a call had been made to Burney as council president, but Burney said he thought it was just an informational call and agreed that council members should have been informed of the circumstances before a vote.

The budget, which was whittled down from an initial projected 19 percent increase to a 9.6 increase, will be studied both by the council and a budget advisory committee for further refinement. Meanwhile, half the budget year starting July 1 has elapsed with temporary or emergency appropriations.

During the public portion of the meeting Monday, some city employees spoke out about being residents and taxpayers whose home ownership would be on the line if they were laid off. For 2010, layoffs "in the teens" are forecast unless relief comes from somewhere.

In other business, the council discussed the disposition of Dudley House, which may not be resolved until past the New Year. Plaintalker will report later on this topic.

Mapp inquired about two memos he said he never received, one regarding the chief finance officer and one on communications from the Union County Improvement Authority, which was designated in 2006 as the city's redevelopment entity. The state Department of Community Affairs has challenged the city's use of acting or interim CFOs and has demanded the naming of a temporary CFO as required by state law. The nature of the UCIA communication was not revealed at Monday's meeting.

New Cable Television Advisory Board Chairman Lamar Mackson updated the governing body on improvements in both the composition, mission, goals and more of the board. Council liaisons to the board commended Mackson for his efforts over the past two months. Plaintalker will also break out a separate post later.

Other speakers Monday had issues about recreation and sports programs, with some making personal challenges to council members about their commitment or participation in community athletics and voluntarism.

Speed humps on Kensington Avenue raised the question of why other speed-prone streets could not get the same traffic-calming devices. But some said the safety factor for possible damage to police and fire vehicles had to be considered.

All in all, this meeting gave rise to many issues that deserve amplification. In coming days, Plaintalker hopes to oblige.

--Bernice Paglia

A Hyperlocal Example

Following up on learning more about hyperlocal blogs, my daughter and son-in-law have just moved to West Seattle after having previously lived in Seattle neighborhoods including the University District, Capitol Hill (twice), Mount Baker and Seward Park.

West Seattle Blog is an excellent example of a local blog that includes news, citizen alerts, shopping and event tips and a general opportunity to build pride and camaraderie in one's neighborhood. It has multiple contributors, including spot news photos from phone cameras. I am using it to get familiar with their new neighborhood.

Plaintalker is a solo effort with limited topics, including redevelopment and municipal government. But there is plenty of room on the blogosphere for anyone who wants to set up a blog similar to that of West Seattle.

To detractors who say we did not include this or that, I say, dial up Blogger.com and do what you feel is needed. Given the limitations of the city web site, blogs are all the more valuable to promote Plainfield in all its many aspects. The Plainfield music scene, its theater world, restaurants, outdoor recreation, shopping and more could be highlighted. Crime reports might be harder to come by, due to Police Division policies, but some city neighborhood blogs already share alerts on burglaries and car break-ins.

It's all information, folks, and that's what is needed to enjoy any particular neighborhood.

My mission is mainly to help citizens understand what their elected officials are up to, but I also enjoy finding out new things about Plainfield.

To that end, I will now break with tradition and publish a news release in its entirety:

Five representatives of faith communities will offer blessings to animals at the 10th annual Celebration of Animals scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1:30 p.m. at Leland Avenue Park in Plainfield.
The program is free and open to the public, and any animals who choose to attend as long as properly leashed or otherwise safely contained. In the past this has included dogs, cats, iguanas, gerbils, various birds, turtles and rabbits.
Animal-lovers who wish to honor a friend which would be uncomfortable in the park or who has died are encouraged to bring a photo or favorite toy instead.
Those offerings blessings are Rev. Leonard Bethel, retired from Bethel Presbyterian Church; Rev. Carolyn Eklund, rector of Grace Episcopal Church; James Handlin, a Buddhist; Sandra Miller, a shaman; and Rev. Frank Rose, poster of St. Bernard/St. Stanislaus R.C. Church. Always popular, Bethel will be accompanied by Gabriel, his black lab dog. Individual blessings are available afterwards.
The event is provided for the community by the Friends of Sleepy Hollow, a non-partisan, non-profit, all-volunteer organization devoted to the betterment of Plainfield. The FOSH Animal Initiatives Committee arranges the Celebration, and has paid for pet oxygen masks in three sizes for the Plainfield Fire Department, spaying and vaccinations for feral cats in the city, and other projects.
In the spirit of animal welfare, the cake for the celebration will be "vegan," meaning made with no animal ingredients. There will be coffee for adults, juice for youngsters and water bowls for animals. FOSH will have plastic bags on hand for easy clean-up.
Mary Ellen Chanda will serve as master of ceremonies and developed the program. Further information is on the FOSH website, www.foshnj.com.
There is no rain date.

--Bernice Paglia

Council Frames Budget Cuts

Lacking both a permanent finance director and a chief financial officer, City Administrator Marc Dashield told the City Council Wednesday he may need more than a couple of days to analyze the impact of $350,000 in proposed cuts to the FY 2008 budget.

Finance Director Ray Daniels and CFO Peter Sepelya, both key figures in the budget process, left City Hall this month. Dashield said Wednesday he feels he has adequate staff to deal with the proposed amendments, but it might take time. A budget hearing on the introduced budget is scheduled for Monday (Dec. 17, 2007) but approval of amendments and final budget passage may not take place until January.

As introduced in September, the budget reflects a 43.6 million increase that translates to $327 more in taxes on the average $113,000 home.

Among the proposed cuts are $75,000 in seasonal employee pay from Recreation, $105,000 in overtime from the Police Division and $80,000 from the Fire Division. Rashid Burney, chairman of the council’s finance committee, also suggested doing away with the certificate of occupancy process, calling it duplicative of private home inspections at the time of sale.

(This writer commented on the discussion, which appeared to be more about the city’s Certificate of Compliance ordinance than the certificate of occupancy requirement. More on that later.)

The proposed elimination of a principal planner position was also discussed at length, with council members Cory Storch and Burney speaking in favor of retaining the position. Planning Director Bill Nierstedt submitted a memo to the council urging retention of the position in the overworked Planning Division, but Dashield upheld the administration’s view that the position must go.

Storch reminded the council that the ultimate decision rests with the governing body.

Only four citizens attended the budget session, even though taxpayers are facing an 8.5 percent increase unless cuts are made. The proposed cuts, along with the infusion of $800,000 in extraordinary state aid, would lessen the impact to about a 5 percent increase.

(Due to meeting fatigue, Plaintalker did not take highly detailed notes Wednesday. Generally, the current City Council is carrying out the budget process in a sensible, collegial fashion. Each member summed up his or her views at the end of the meeting. Noting the very small public turnout, Councilwoman Linda Carter said residents will face a tax impact and the governing body needs to educate them on it.)

--Bernice Paglia

Council Introduces Amendments, Sets Hearing

An infusion of $800,000 in extraordinary state aid and about $100,000 in cuts will reduce the FY 2008 municipal budget impact to about $3.43 per $100 of assessed valuation, officials said after a special meeting Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2008).

The budget as introduced would have increased taxes by 8.2 percent, but after amendments, officials said it is down to about 6.7 percent. The final amendments will be published Feb. 18 in advance of a public hearing Feb. 27 on the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2007. The hearing will be held at 8 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.

The amendments included a slew of grants that came in after the budget was introduced in September, as well as numerous changes in appropriations to run the city.

The governing body and administration clashed Wednesday over items such as police overtime and expenses for the mayor’s office. Councilman Cory Storch initially challenged the administration, saying, “This is the council’s budget. I’m having a hard time with how the administration is treating it.”

The process involved budget formulation based on initial department requests modified by the administration before submission to the governing body. A council Finance Committee made recommendations and sought administration response after the budget was introduced. Wednesday’s meeting was the refinement of the process.

Storch insisted the council’s job was not merely to put a stamp on the executive budget and said it appeared the council’s requests were not taken as seriously as the governing body wished.

“The council really has to own the budget,” he said.

Among the cuts:

The Recreation Division was spared a $75,000 proposed cut that brought a large group of protesters to a council meting last year, but will have $20,000 taken from salaries and wages. A cut that halved $20,000 for four community sports programs will be restored.

The council cut $10,000 from Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs’ budget, noting it had been increased by that amount over FY 2007.
“I think we all just got to share the pain,” Councilman Rashid Burney said. “I think the mayor and council should set a trend and example to the entire city.”
The administration had already cut the council’s own expense request by $40,000 and the council cut another $3,000 on Wednesday.

A beleaguered substance abuse program that was in danger of being shut down will now continue through a series of management changes. Dudley House, operated mostly through state and county funding, will be headed by the former assistant director of Public Works and Urban Development, who will also manage Plainfield Action Services. Both the former Dudley House director and PAS director have been cut from the budget, City Administrator Marc Dashield said.
The program still faces hurdles of meeting state licensure and certification standards, including making the Putnam Avenue facility accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, he said.
Dozens of past and present clients attended council meetings last year to plead for continuance of what they called a life-changing program. But some council members objected to the fact that it serves both Union and Middlesex county residents and not just Plainfielders in need of treatment.

Dashield strongly defended Police and Fire division budgets against cuts and the council backed off, making only minor reductions. Dashield said the need for police overtime has increased due to staffing a new metal detector at Municipal Court and to investigating city shootings as if each one was a homicide, under the new Operation Ceasefire program. Overtime costs are already exceeding budget anticipation, with four months to go in the FY 2008 budget year, he said.

When it came to an unspecified cut of $350,000 that the council left up to the administration, Dashield said it couldn’t be done, short of cutting out a whole program. Storch said he was disappointed that the administration had not proposed additional cuts and said for next year, “We have to do some major, major planning.”

Dashield said the issue was “what services are you not going to provide,” but Burney said the administration should have proposed cuts and let the council decide whether to make them.

After the two-hour discussion, the council had to hold a voice vote on every single amendment, a process that took nearly another half-hour. Among the many grants included as amendments were six that added up to $209,270 to support Dudley House.

Budget documents are on hand at City Hall and Burney has also posted the introduced budget on his web site. Officials stressed the need to pass the budget as soon as possible, without further amendments, because the city is already eight months into the budget year.

--Bernice Paglia

Gibson Wins Council Presidency

Harold Gibson became City Council president for 2008 and council members Linda Carter and Cory Storch were sworn in for second four-year terms at Tuesday’s annual reorganization.
Gibson recounted the tale of how he and his brother stood as children in a segregated waiting room in Enterprise, Ala., in 1940 before departing for Newark. His brother, Kenneth, later became mayor of Newark and Gibson rose from police ranks to a political career that included serving Plainfield as city administrator and public safety director. He most recently served as Union County’s public safety director for 10 years, but as of today will head the newly-created Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Gang Reduction in Sheriff Ralph Froelich’s department.

Thanking family and friends for their support, Gibson promised to do his best for the city.

“We were elected,” he said. “None of us was anointed.”

Carter, who was also named chairwoman of the whole for 2008, said one of her priorities is budget stabilization.

Storch said, “I look forward to serving the people above all else – the people of Plainfield.”

On Gibson’s presidency, Storch and Councilman Elliott Simmons voted “no,” while Carter, Rashid Burney, William Reid and Gibson voted “yes.”

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs gave special thanks to Assemblyman Jerry Green for his help in securing extraordinary state aid for the city. Green, also chairman of the Democratic City Committee, helped the city get $800,000 for tax relief.

Starting with her theme of “Growth by Unity,” Robinson-Briggs gave a detailed overview of each city department’s accomplishments in 2007. Among innovations for 2008, the Recreation Division will have a new program to combat childhood obesity. The Inspections Division will continue team-building staff meetings as they are “putting themselves back together,” she said.

Robinson-Briggs said economic development effort will focus on three projects in 2008. They are the senior center/63-condo project that is now underway at 400 East Front Street, an expanded Historic North Avenue redevelopment plan and the Teppers II project that calls for 12 condos on West Front Street.

The city is still trying to sort out who should receive about $700,000 in tax overpayments, the mayor said. The money has been placed in surplus while possible claims are being investigated. First announced in 2006, the issue remains contentious, but Robinson-Briggs said the city must determine whether past or present owners or mortgage companies should properly receive the overpayments.

The council will meet again on Jan. 22 for an agenda session, with the regular meeting to follow on Jan. 24. A plan to switch back to the traditional Mondays-only meeting schedule will require legislation that must be passed on two readings, taking effect 20 days later. Realistically, a calendar change cannot come about until March, Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson said.

Among comments from the public, Maria Pellum offered congratulations to Gibson on behalf of the Crescent Area Neighborhood Association, which began the historic preservation movement 30 years ago. Noting approvals of several public defenders Tuesday, Pellum also asked the council to seek a Latino public defender next year.

Resident John Campbell praised Gibson, his longtime friend, as someone with “a good mind and a good heart” and “a stand-up brother who will do the right thing.”

Green, who will be speaker pro tem in the Assembly for 2008, said he was very pleased with all the ceremony Tuesday. But he also cautioned the council, "I watched how you voted - I watched the body language."

Among other remarks, he noted Plainfield only had “single-digit murders,” compared to high numbers in other cities. He said many Hispanics had been taken advantage of in the recent mortgage crisis, resulting in houses on the market rising from 300 to 400. Green also touched on the problem of day workers congregating on city streets and inequities in school aid.

“Let’s stop playing politics. Let’s sit down and get down to business,” he said to the council.

Former Union County Freeholder Adrian Mapp raised several questions about investigations of past employees, but Gibson said council members would not be allowed to comment on any investigations by the prosecutor’s office.

The Rev. Shirley Cathie expressed love and hope for the city, and said the elected officials can count on the Concerned Urban Clergy for prayer.

--Bernice Paglia

My Little Municipal Government

A member of the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee asked Wednesday how it came about that health and social services got added to the Department of Administration & Finance.

"I know, I know!" my inner municipal geek screamed.

I refrained from raising my hand and waving it at the meeting, but because I am the boss of this blog, I will tell you here.

Once upon a time, a mayor wanted a certain person to become director of Administration & Finance. But his friend's background was in social services. So the mayor took the Health Division and Welfare out from under the Department of Public Affairs & Safety and put it under Administration & Finance.

The friend turned out not to be a good match for the job and was put in charge of Welfare. When Welfare was shifted to the county, the friend was put in charge of Dudley House.

Meanwhile, the mayor was long gone.

Political survivors are still around. The administration may turn over every four years, but once hired, favored people from past administrations are hard to get rid of. And decisions made as if municipal government was a toy linger on.

It does not make any sense to have the current configuration. Instead of paying close and exclusive attention to the city's finances, the director may be called on to resolve a spat at the Senior Center.

All three city departments mandated in the charter have had similar rolls of the dice. For example, the Recreation Division was moved from Public Affairs & Safety to the Department of Public Works & Urban Development.

In 1990, a Charter Study Commission presented a report on city government, with pros and cons of changing its structure. It might have taken two years to get changes enacted by the state Legislature, but the council took no action to start the process. So the three departments remain, but divisions can be switched around without a charter change. And that's what happened, boys and girls.

--Bernice

Councilman Blanco writes: Where I Stand on the Bond Ordinance...

NOTE: This statement was emailed to The Editors late last night (Aug. 7, 2005) in advance of tonight's City Council meeting that will be held at the Plainfield Public Library at 7:30pm.

Dear Fellow Plainfielders:

I take my responsibility as your Councilman-At-Large (Citywide) seriously. I research and study all the issues that come before the Council. I have taken courses for elected officials at Rutgers University on weekends. I do so in order to serve you better as your elected official. I don't take a single vote I cast lightly.

As a member of the Plainfield City Council, I must be ever vigilant for the sake of all the citizens of Plainfield whether it is the McWilliams administration or a Robinson-Briggs administration or a Ferraro administration. I am dismayed that some individuals have been trying to intimidate council members by threatening to withhold support from them in the future. That smacks of political bossism to me.

Now to the issue at hand, I believe that bonding is the last resort for any municipality. Clearly, sometimes it is just and necessary. However, the City must first seek funding from the Federal, State and County governments as well as the private sector before turning to our over-taxed residents for long term debt.

Take the road construction project as an example. The City only applied to one of five available funding programs within the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The City didn't even contact the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regarding the senior citizens center. Lastly, over the past several years, none of our representatives in the New Jersey Legislature have been approached regarding available State funding for Plainfield. That is unacceptable.

Here are a few things that all Plainfield citizens should be concerned with:

* A single bond ordinance for multiple projects will allow the Administration to spend the $16.5 million on any single item named in the ordinance. In other words, the Senior Citizens Center could not be funded and the money could be used in its entirety fr road construction or vice versa. Respected municipal finance experts have advised me that this is an ill-conceived ordinance. In good conscience, I could not give the Administration a blank check.

*** The Administration CAN create four separate ordinances, introduce them, and not put any project in jeopardy. The Mayor has the power to ask for special council meetings to expedite the process. ALL of this can be accomplished by mid-September or sooner. So to characterize the request of four separate bond ordinances as a death to the senior center is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

*** The current road construction project is costing more than originally projected. For example, the reconstruction of East Ninth Street between Watchung and Park [+] was estimated at $223,143 but it actually cost $601,503. That is a 270% increase.

Further, the bidding process appears to be flawed. In the last round of bids, Plainfield received only three bids. While in towns like Cranford, they typically receive up to nine bids. What do nine bids mean? More competition. More competition means lower costs.

At this rate, we will be doubling the cost of the entire project. Plainfield taxpayers cannot afford this massive project without Federal, State and County funding. A group of Council members will be calling for the appointment of an oversight committee within the City Council to review and monitor the road construction project.

*** State law prohibits the use of bonding for items that don't have a "useful life of a minimum of five years." Westfield, for instance, has a fiscal policy that prohibits bonding for items that don't have a useful life for a minimum of ten years or they pay cash. I believe that office equipment, furniture or maps may not meet the State standard. Therefore I believe this ordinance can be challenged in court. By the way, the actual ordinance only states "office furniture and equipment." I know English is my second language but when are maps "office furniture and equipment?"

*** Proponents of this ordinance are stating that delaying or opposing this ordinance "would be purely political in nature and costly in time and actual dollars." This is so far removed from the truth that it borders on insanity. Two of the three votes against this ordinance on First Reading were from "New Democrats!" And two other "New Democrats" have endorsed the proposal for four separate ordinances. These council members are being independent, free-thinkers.

*** Some supporters of this ordinance have stated that delaying this ordinance is "aimed at not giving the current Mayor credit for getting the senior center started on his watch." I, for one, will always acknowledge that Mayor Al McWilliams was a champion of this project. However, such thinking is contrary to good government practices. Government should never do anything to glorify the legacy of any one individual. Hopefully, your body of work will establish your legacy.

This unfortunate impasse must come to an end, the politics of who starts the senior center must end, and fiscal and administrative responsibility must prevail. The needs of ALL of Plainfield must prevail. The council's job is to oversee and question everything that comes before us. So I, along with Council members Rashid Burney, Don Davis and Rayland van Blake, will be introducing a resolution directing the Administration to submit four separate ordinances that will be specifically dedicated to the Senior Citizens Center ($4.3 million), Road Construction ($6 million), Roof Replacements ($1 million) and Swimming and Recreation Improvements ($550,000).

It will also direct the Administration to seek all available funding from Federal, State and County government resources within the next 60 days and report back to the City Council and to provide the Council with a detailed funding plan of action regarding the above items as well as the other projects.

I returned to local politics to make a difference in people's lives not play games with their lives or waste time on procedural matters. In my campaign, I outlined many proposals from crime prevention to civic responsibility. I really do believe - now more than ever - that issues count. Now is the time to govern effectively and efficiently to hold all accountable and that includes friends and in so doing we will be creating a beautiful, safe, diverse and united city.

In response to those who are questioning my allegiance, my answer is direct and simply. I answer only to the people of Plainfiled and they can decide my fate come 2008 in the event I am crazy enough to seek re-election. Thank you for your kind attention. As always, I look forward to your comments and feedback.

Best, Ray

Ray Blanco
Councilman At Large

[+] NOTE: We believe Councilman Blanco means Crescent Avenue and not East 9th Street. Reconstruction on Crescent has been finished, but not yet begun on East 9th Street.