Former mayors Mark Fury, Rick Taylor and Harold Mitchell.
The hubbub would begin even before Plainfield's new mayor, Rick Taylor, had gotten through the doorway to the back dining room at What's Your Beef, the city's legendary 1980s watering hole.
Shooing his entourage to their table, Rick would then work the room before settling down for dinner and drinks for the evening.
Everyone wanted to chat with him. Everyone seemed energized when he entered the room. Everyone had a good time.
With his smile, a handshake and a greeting, Rick would make his way around the room, bouncing and with a slight swagger until he had stopped at every table. He was the hometown kid who had climbed to the top of the heap. He was king of the hill. The only other New Jersey politician I ever saw who had the same effect on people was Sharpe James, who often ate at Freshwaters to similar effect.
I got to see a lot of Rick that Spring of 1984. Having moved into one of Plainfield's 'money pit' Victorians in late 1983, it was almost six months before there was a working kitchen and a place to sit down and eat (a card table, actually), so I spent a lot of evenings with new friends at What's Your Beef, usually in the back dining room where tables of eight could be accommodated more easily.
How lively the political scene in Plainfield was in those days!
There were still Republicans on the city council, including Jon Bramnick, now an Assemblyman from Westfield.
Planning and zoning boards as well as the Board of Ed meetings were raucous affairs, with a high degree of interest and involvement from the community.
It was Rick who made me feel welcome into this exciting political stew.
Always involved in the communities where I lived, my instincts had been dulled by a decade in New York City, where one is just an ant in the anthill, and one must be UTTERLY DRIVEN to have any role, let alone make any kind of an impact.
Not so in Plainfield. Here was a manageable-sized town, where you could get to know the movers and shakers and, with not too much trouble, get in the swim of things.
Rick welcomed that. He liked the idea that Plainfield attracted newcomers who spread the word about the charms of this somewhat funky community.
It was a golden moment, destined not to last.
What's Your Beef was taken over by Charlie Brown's, and the eatery where lines regularly trailed down the block, patiently waiting for a table or access to the tiny bar, was shut down to funnel business to the chain's Metuchen operation.
Eventually my kitchen was finished and eating out was less necessary.
Plainfield Republicans faded into the woodwork.
The wild, ebullient political scene quieted down.
Plainfield moved on, if not to a better place, at least to a different place.
The struggles of the 60s were past, and the visionary programs to which so many looked for the empowerment of America's new urban majorities had their mandates diluted, along with their funding, leaving cities like Plainfield with new challenges.
New faces crowded in to take Rick's place -- Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell, Mark Fury and Al McWilliams -- and try to address the new opportunities and challenges the Queen City faced.
But it had been Rick Taylor who first showed me, and others, a welcome and an open door.
For that I thank him.
Rest in peace, Rick.
I'll see you at that great back dining room in the hereafter!
Working the crowd, as always.
- Obituary: "Rev. Rick Taylor, former mayor" -- Rose of Sharon: Viewing Tuesday, 4-7; Memorial Service, 7. Funeral Wednesday, 11 AM, Cathedral International, Perth Amboy.
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5 comments:
What a nice tribute and interesting look at some of the history of the Queen City political world.
Dan,
Rick was one hell of A GUY! Rick made things happen. Little known fact: The historic preservation or neighborhood preservation movement would not have happened without Rick's acceptance and envolvement. No one has filled his shoes since.
My best to Gloria & Marcus.
Bill
Republicans in Plainfield...to think the city was not once so narrow minded and uneducated. Interesting blast into the past and such kind words, inclusive politicians such as he in times like we have now would be such a welcome change for Plainfield.
We need a Rick Taylor in Plainfield. Maybe he can put in a good word for us up there.
Of course I am sorry that anyone suffers and passes away but my only exposure to Rick Taylor was him making racist statements and criticism of anything proposed by the McWilliams administration. Seemed like an old time politician criticizing anything new.
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