Honoring Al: A Modest Proposal

While many Plainfielders struggle to come to grips with the loss of the community's beloved friend, Mayor Al McWilliams, some are beginning to give thought to how the city can best honor the leader who, as so aptly expressed by Councilor Rashid Burney, "got the city back up and running."

The generous comments of Assemblyman Jerry Green and Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs have been positively inspiring.

Assemblyman Jerry Green's assessment -- that Al McWilliams "was a champion in moving the city ahead," and that Green would "like him to know that what he did for the city was appreciated, because it was" -- has resonated deeply in the community.

As has Mayor Robinson-Briggs' vow that "the city will do whatever we need to do to honor him."

Plainfield Today has a modest proposal.

It would be the PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE gesture to name the Park-Madison office building the "Albert T. McWilliams Building."

After all, Al McWilliams was the one who successfully broke the jinx that had left the demolished four-acre plot at Plainfield's main intersection as an embarrassing symbol of Plainfield's failure and decay for decades.

It was his vision that transformed it into the bustling, spacious and attractive new hub that is beginning to anchor a downtown revival.

As Assemblyman Green said, "Plainfield is better because of him."

What better way to honor him?

-- Dan Damon

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ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
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