Mapp, McWilliams, Carter, Storch and Van Blake in 2004.
Jerry Green should be thankful for Plainfield's New Dems.
Every day.
Had it not been for the New Democrats for Plainfield, it is doubtful when, if ever, able and talented newcomers ever would have had a chance at public service. Or whether the Council would have the fortitude necessary to face the challenges daunting Plainfield today.
Just look at the record of New Democratic candidates elected to the Plainfield City Council --
Both Van Blake and Mapp had subsequent turns as Union County Freeholders.
- Rayland Van Blake (Ward 1)
- Linda Carter (Wards 1/4)
- Cory Storch (Ward 2)
- Rashid Burney (Wards 2/3)
- Adrian Mapp (Ward 3)
- Ray Blanco (At-large)
- Annie McWilliams (At-large)
Both Van Blake and Mapp were passed up on a chance for a second term as Freeholder.
Mapp was deemed not acceptable to UC Dem chair Charlotte DeFilippo (a badge of honor in some quarters) and subsequently reclaimed a seat on the City Council.
Van Blake -- personally selected by Assemblyman Green for his first Freeholder slot, despite knowing of Van Blake's commitment to an acting career -- is being cashiered by DeFilippo and Green this time around.
Besides probably halving the average age of the Council, New Dems have brought a new level of openness in government, willingness to innovate and commitment to a long-term perspective on improving Plainfield.
What's not to be thankful for?
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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11 comments:
I know that the term New Dems annoys people, and I am not sure why. We live in a city with absolutely no competition in politics. The Republican party is snoozing, and so for people who care about the city, but don't like the status quo, they need a voice. That voice is the New Dems. We are all Democrats - that is the truth. What we are not, are lemmings.
Because you join a party or an organization, it does not mean that you hand over your mind, thoughts, and values.
Ironincally, it appears that the "Democrats" are in agreement with the choice of Linda Carter. Maybe the party isn't as divided as people think.
And, maybe competition isn't all that bad.
Dan,
The photo you put up is one of my favorites--that photo has all of our first candidates together--Adrian, Al, Linda, Cory, and Rayland--a great team. I still miss Al deeply, and to see this photo brought it all back. I have been thinking a lot about the New Dems over the past few days, given all the political machinations on the part of the county, but I will post more of my comments on my own blog. However, since you have many more subscribers (my arts/culture-based blog has a tiny but loyal readership of about 40--lol), I will put a couple of comments here, if you will indulge me:
As 9:04 am points out, New Democrats are Democrats, and our club continues to work for the betterment of Plainfield.
Being a part of the New Democrat political club does not mean that one is not a true Democrat--take a look at other cities--many have different political clubs focused in different ways (LGBT, senior citizen, African American, Jewish, progressive, young, ecologically-based, etc.). These clubs bring their own agendas to bear on the party at large--ideally to help build better communities.
Plainfield's New Democrats have focused on ethical, responsible leadership and community activism. We have campaigned for Obama, for our senators (even some Democrats of the Regular Democratic Organization supported Lautenberg or Andrews without being accused of being members of two different parties!), and for our congressmen.
The fact that our club elects to sometimes run candidates during primary season does not mean that we are not Democrats. I would submit that the presence of New
Democrat candidates in the process has resulted in a rejuvenated local party. Even Chairman Green, in several conversations I have had with him, has stated this, and has acknowledged that this is one of the qualities he truly admires about the New Dems club. He knows that we work very hard and that we are committed to ethical leadership and putting forth strong candidates--he stated such at Friday's committee meeting.
Although I am an elected member of the committee in the Second Ward, I have campaigned in all wards of the city (especially in the 2009 mayoral race, the 2008 and 2004 citywide council races, and when I ran Linda's 2003 campaign). In the process, I developed lasting friendships with voters and residents all over this city. Last year, I worked very hard in both the Second and Third Wards, helping to recruit and elect several new members of the Plainfield Democratic City Committee, which had become rather moribund over the years. I am happy to discuss any aspect of our club's founding/organization/perspective with anyone who would like to know more about our club. I am committed to continuing to do as much as I can to help Plainfield move forward--the struggle continues.
All best,
Rebecca Williams
NEW DEMOCRAT FOR PLAINFIELD
2-9 Committeewoman/2nd Ward Leader
In your dreams anon 9:04. If Carter receives and accepts the nomination to run on the machine democrat ticket, she will either have to join their mindset, or be willing to be treated as Mapp and Van Blake were. The machine is but a ruthless bunch of self-serving, taxpayer dollar wasting pols.
It was a nice photo Rebecca. Now go to the previous blog and take a look at who Carter may soon be working for. Chilling.
Now we know who to thank for our taxes going up!!! Thanks for pointing this out Dan! The New Dems have had rule on the freeholder board and Council for close to 10 years!
If Councilwoman Carter wins the spring primary and goes on to be elected in November to go on the freeholder board next year, someone will need to run to take her place. Green has told people that he wants to do something for Vera Greave the losing 4th ward candidate. She didn't do much campaigning in her own election or Rivers who ran OFF the line would not have won. I think we can do better than this and replace Linda with someone who is more than a rubberstamp for Green. We need younger, more educated and computer savvy people on the city council who have the energy to do their jobs.
Ms. Williams essay was very eloquent. However being associated with the Democratic Party in Plainfield, new or old, can only mean that you have to accept a share of the blame. The Democratic run party machine has mismanaged just about all aspects of the administration of Plainfield, making the town a laughing stock.
If a new way for Plainfield is desired then a new political party must do it, not as a fringe player on the existing corrupt party machine.
Nice picture Rebecca. Now go to the picture before this post and tell me how nice it would be for one of your colleagues to be working for that DESPICABLE ceature?
Rayland was a hardly show councilman and a never heard from again freeholder. Hopefully Ms. Carter will do something with her new post. Voting in this town is overrated. No one challenges the King Of Plainfield Jerry. So good luck Ms. Carter
I am confused. Does this mean the "New Dems" have embraced the leadership of the Regular Democartic Organization of Union County?
Hi, Dan,
Regarding the question asked by Anonymous at 12:14 am:
"Embrace" is not a word that I would use in a political context vis a vis the RDO--it is a false construction, and I reject it.
I will be posting my own thoughts on how I view the New Democrats for Plainfield who ran off the RDO line (like myself) but won their elections--those on the council as well as those of us who won the committee seats. The New Democrats comprise a majority of the seats in the 2nd and 3rd Wards--we are duly elected members, and my expectation is that we will bring our commitment to ethical leadership and community activism to bear on the RDO.
Speaking for myself, whether I continue my political engagement in Democratic politics on or off the line, I will never lose my focus on what the "New Dems" stands for, and I will not run and hide from the label. We need effective leadership in the city at this critical juncture, and I know there are good candidates out there who may want to serve and not feel that they have to sacrifice their principles in order to help our city.
Rebecca
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