Happy Birthday, Susan B. Anthony

Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.

--Susan B. Anthony

Some History on the City's Basement Condo

I'm told city officials are now looking into the situation alluded to in Alma Blanco's blog.

Meanwhile, here is a 2010 Plaintalker II post that provides some background.

The disputed condo fees and other costs associated with the Senior Center at 400 East Front Street were supposed to be resolved through arbitration by former Corporation Counsel Anita Sias-Hill, as noted in this post from September 2014. To our knowledge, no settlement has been reached and meanwhile the building has changed hands. Sias-Hill was removed by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp in July 2015 and David Minchello was approved to replace her.

Summer 2013 Images

Flower-of-an-Hour, a relative of Hibiscus, called a "noxious weed" by some, but I love the colors.

A strange bug with white toes, if bugs have toes. Click to enlarge and guess whether it is a fly or a wasp or what.

The Praying Mantises, once the size of a staple, are now mature. The female's abdomen is swollen with eggs that will hatch next spring. After mating, she will make a case that will protect the eggs all winter.

Hawk Moths look like little hummingbirds. To the Mantis, this one looks like dinner.

Another bug of mystery. Nice outfit, though. Love the oblong dots.

What would I do without the garden! Every season has its surprises and delights!

--Bernice

Collection Plan Rejected Again

Councilman William Reid dislikes debt collectors so much that he would rather see the city lose up to half a million dollars in court fines rather than seek an agency to recoup the money. Councilwoman Rebecca Williams says letting the fines slide is a slap in the face to officers who wrote the tickets and "makes a mockery of the court."

So went the latest standoff over the administration's proposal to seek a collection firm for $750,000 in fines owed to the Plainfield Municipal Court. The council was asked Tuesday to authorize a "request for proposals" with a proviso that the selected company could keep up to 22 percent of what is collected.
Only four council members were present Tuesday and there was no consensus to move the resolution to the agenda at the Sept. 10 regular meeting.

In public comment, resident and blogger Dr. Harold Yood urged the objectors to reconsider, saying the offenders likely had multiple fines. He acknowledged Reid's concerns about debt collectors, but said,"You are dealing with people who broke the law."

Yood said, "Compassion is great - it's wonderful. But you are not dealing with the average citizen. You are dealing with people who constantly (flaunt) the law."

His words did not sway Reid, even though the councilman had just cited an instance of trying to help someone who could not get out of jail until he paid off numerous traffic tickets in half a dozen towns.

Public Works Director Eric Jackson, sitting in Tuesday for City Administrator Eric Berry, said Municipal Court officials had asked the administration to bring back the collection measure, which had been rejected last month.

Jackson said the administration would be sensitive to Reid's concerns and noted many fines were owed by people outside the city.

"We're not intending to beat down residents," Jackson said, urging reconsideration.

Note: Whatever past experience may have soured Reid on debt collection, debtors now have new safeguards against harassment in the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of 2011. The Federal Trade Commission enforces its provisions. Debt collectors may no longer call people at odd hours or at work and may not tell others why they are trying to track down the debtor. The legislation was not mentioned at the council meeting, but Plaintalker encourages a look at it and also urges reconsideration of the proposed legislation sought by court officials.

--Bernice

Remember Our Military Personnel This Weekend

On this Memorial Day weekend, take time to remember those who served their country - those who came home and those who didn't. And give your thoughts and prayers to all who are still serving at faraway places throughout the world.

--Bernice

City Hall Gets New Address Marker

Workers installed this handsome new street number plaque over the front door of City Hall Thursday.

The original large brass numerals were removed during a facade restoration in 2008.

Here you can see where the individual numbers used to be.

Next time you are near City Hall, take a look at this stately stonework eagle ... and the new street number at 515 Watchung Avenue.

--Bernice

Plaintalker II

Click here to go to Plaintalker II. Please bookmark it. You can still search the Plaintalker archive for news from June 2005 to May 12, 2010.

--Bernice

Check Plaintalker II

Go to Plaintalker II

for news about a fiesta planned for the July 4 weekend.