WINNERS: 'Good Riddance' and 'Plainfield Resolutions'

The envelope, please.

GOOD RIDDANCE

Plainfielders certainly did want to bid 'Good Riddance' to any number of things at the end of 2009. With 28 comments (see here), it was definitely hard to pick among them.

Most of the comments focused on issues surrounding the Robinson-Briggs administration often with wry humor, though there was one identifying a school district issue (administrative overhead: District coordinators for left-handed and right-handed pencil sharpening).

Among things bid good riddance to were the mayoral bodyguards, ineptness (we can only hope), petty politics (we certainly hope), those 'Sponsored by Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs and...' slugs (puh-leese), politicians on the take (surely this could not refer to Plainfield?), and anonymous posts by pols-in-power to the blogs (how outré).

Wished away, but not likely: Potholes, flood insurance, paper jams, blogs that don't post comments, empty stores, and red blazers in official places.

More likely: Getting rid of the 'Hooray for Sharon!' banner outside City Hall (the wind may do it), and getting the city out of the social services business (Dudley House, Bilingual Day Care, WIC, PAS).

There was a cranky wish that the bloggers (or one of them, at least) be gone, and a spirited defense of all the bloggers by 'Yep I Said It' (thank you!).

It finally came down to two: (1) Getting rid of the Mayor's 'under construction' election website (still clocking in at 215 days since the Primary, see here) and (2) Getting rid of the Mayor's bad-math 300% reduction in murders.

And the winner is...

Since we seem actually to have gotten rid of the Mayor's 'Bad Murder Math' -- though the suggestion she be tutored by certified schools staff may be a good one -- the award goes to MARVIN SELWICKY for --

Good riddance to the math skills of Ms. Briggs. 300% reduction in murders - Maybe some of the "certificated" cronies at PPS can tutor her in Math.

RESOLUTIONS FOR PLAINFIELD

Though there were fewer responses (it was, after all, New Year's Eve), they were certainly thoughtful (see them all here).

Business development, a marketing plan for the city, beautifying the Park Avenue corridor, keeping the Train Station area clean, becoming more active and engaged in the community, and funding community programs at the YMCA -- all good and worthy resolutions.

Development is more likely and the triangle at Park/East 9th/Prospect may actually get under way if the Mayor makes some decent appointments. Lord knows, the Council is behind these items.

Less likely: Getting rid of the PMUA. Fining our way to a better Plainfield (didn't say it wasn't a good idea, Rob, just less likely ;--)). Mayor Sharon driving a Mini Cooper? Get real!

Council accept no walk-on resolutions? Possible, but there may be extenuating circumstances.

This brings it down to two finalists: (1) Activating the Hispanic Affairs Commission, and (2) a simple 'Hello, how are you?' effort by one and all.

The winner?

Both.

The Hispanic Affairs Commission has languished even though counting Hispanics will be crucial to the success of Census 2010, for which everyone fears Mayor Robinson-Briggs is ill-prepared. So, congratulations to RANDY SCHAEFFER for his resolution --

Get the Mayor to activate the Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs by appointing experienced, effective community leaders who are committed to working together in addressing the many challenges confronted by our Hispanic neighbors.

I like Jackie's idea that we can do a lot of good by simply being more outgoing as we make our way through life. Truly something everyone can do, and something so small we often overlook it, but something that is definitely good for the soul. So, an extra award to JACKIE SCHNOOP for the following --

My resolution is to continue my "good morning," "hello, how are you?" campaign on the streets of Plainfield. I'm a pedestrian who walks to the train station five days a week. I've found in this town that when you say hello to a person on the street, they'll reply. As time goes by, folks will go out of their way to say hello first. The next thing you know, folks are greeting you like an old friend.

Perhaps it sounds a bit corny. But, to me, it shows how friendly Plainfield actually is -- folks from all walks of life, all nationalities ... just exchanging pleasantries as they pass on the street. Over the past few years, I've helped an immigrant learn new words in English in our brief talks -- everyday he'd point at something and ask how to say it.

It's something small, I know. But greeting people and saying a simple hello make the town all that much better. You get to know folks you might not ever get to know and you're both the better for it ... as is the town.

My resolution is to continue doing this daily. I believe it's a good thing indeed.

The winners may stop by Dairy Queen on South Avenue any time after 2 PM today for their $10 gift opportunity.

And thanks to all for participating.

Having bid Good Riddance to a number of truly awful things, and resolving some good things for ourselves and our community, we can move forward into a better, kinder, and more fulfilling New Year for Plainfield.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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