Roundup: Taxes, trees, clocks, guns, and more

Here's a roundup of issues, observations and opportunities --

CITY NOT READY TO RECEIVE TAX MONIES?

Reader TT reports that when he called to ask where the tax bill is for the quarter due February 1st, he was told -- again -- that the bills are not yet ready to be sent out. In the past, Directors of Finance have ESTIMATED AHEAD when a budget has not been in place, in order not to disrupt the needed cash flow. But with a brand-new Director and no Tax Collector on board, it seems like 'running the asylum has been left to the inmates.'

Though the Council did decide last night on the final budget cuts it will impose, it will be WEEKS before a new budget is in place and the tax rate finally formally set. By the way, did we forget to mention that the investigation into SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS that went missing a year ago is still... What? Continuing? On hold? Dropped? Who knows. (What IS the first anniversary gift? Paper? As in dollar bills?) Tip to taxpayers: Better not to pay in CASH?

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SOUGHT

Westfield youngster Daniel Brotman is seeking donations of GENTLY USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS of all kinds (no pianos or organs, please). For his Bar Mitzvahh project he will be refurbishing them and donating them to children in area schools "who otherwise would not be able to learn to play an instrument or to participate in a school band because they cannot afford to buy or lease an instrument."

He is collecting the instruments through five drop boxes placed in county office buildings THROUGH FEBRUARY 9. In our area, you may drop an instrument off at the Park-Madison building, East Second Street and Park Avenue or the County Engineering Building, 2325 South Avenue, Scotch Plains.

COUNTING TO FIVE

Reviewing the matter of Boards and Commissions, which are in need of appointments, PT came across a mention by Bernice that TWO APPOINTMENTS were due for the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) this go-round. That piqued PT's interest. Set up by the City in 1995, the PMUA has a FIVE-MEMBER BOARD holding FIVE-YEAR TERMS, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. (Alternates are a separate matter.)

Under normal conditions, one would expect that would mean that A SINGLE COMMISSIONER would be appointed each year to keep up a rolling board membership. And if a Commissioner resigns, dies, moves or is removed, the fresh appointee fills out the BALANCE of that Commissioner's term. So how, then, do you ever get to appointing TWO in any given year? Another Plainfield mystery. Nancy Drew, where ARE you?

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE, BUT YOU CAN HELP

PT has been told that the City's TREE COMMITTEE is in need of fresh blood (block that metaphor!) now that member Fred Cone has decided to relocate to a warmer part of the country. With 121 miles of two-sided streets, there are quite a few trees needing monitoring, trimming, or removal and replacement. If you care about Plainfield's street trees, which not only beautify our city's neighborhoods but help to scrub and purify the polluted air constantly blowing over us, you know the drill: Brief resumé and cover letter to the Mayor. You may also want to speak to a current member. Or drop by the Planning Division and speak with April Steffel, who has served as staff liaison.

OF CLOCKS AND TREES

Speaking of trees, the STREET CLOCK on Park Avenue in front of the old Park Jewelers will be one hundred years old this year. That's a big deal, but it's really a BIGGER DEAL because this clock plays a cameo role in Betty Smith's classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a tale of turn-of-the-20th-century immigrant life that is the story behind the 1945 film classic of the same name. Perhaps the Cultural & Heritage Commission can arrange a screening in recognition of the role immigrants have played in Plainfield's history -- from the Irish and Germans of the 1840s through the early 20th century's Italian and Polish immigrants to today's newer arrivals from the Caribbean, Asia and Central and South America. It would be nice, too, if the clock were installed in the new Park-Madison plaza AS PROMISED by the UCIA and the developer.

GUNSHOTS, AGAIN

Reader LC reports gunshots heard in the Cook School area before midnight one recent evening. Where is that Operation Ceasefire we have been promised -- the program that will treat EVERY gun incident with the seriousness of a homicide? Plainfielders are waiting...

WHERE IS THAT NEWSLETTER?

Speaking of waiting... Longtime city employee Cynthia Crawford was relocated from Police Headquarters to the City Hall Annex MONTHS AGO with the new assignment to produce a City newsletter. PT had quite forgotten about the promised newsletter what with all the issues around the CABLE CHANNEL -- PCTV-74, about which there has recently been talk of running commercials, which is a DEFINITE NO-NO in public access TV -- and the City's WEBSITE, from which it has been effectively LOCKED OUT by problems around the VERY PROBLEMATIC QuadTech deal PT has been looking into (next instalment tomorrow). Ms. Crawford reported at a recent meeting of BLOCK ASSOCIATIONS hosted by the Prosecutor's CPU that she is the one to get event news to for inclusion in her newsletter. So when is it coming out? And will it be mailed to every city household as used to be the case?

¿PODRIA REPETIRLO, POR FAVOR?

Translation: Could you repeat that, please? Coitainly.

Several readers have noted that Ms. Carmen Salavarrieta -- the Piscataway resident who was so helpful in stirring up a media hysteria when it suited mayoral candidate Robinson-Briggs, but who has since fallen mysteriously silent -- can now be found sitting behind the information counter in the City Hall rotunda. While it's good to have someone bilingual on duty, are we supposed to believe that of the 16,000 or so Spanish-speaking RESIDENTS OF PLAINFIELD, there was NO ONE QUALIFIED to perform this job? Or maybe there was no open job posting? What are friends for if not to find friends jobs?

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