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The famous 'Bridge of Spies' over which Russian and American spies were exchanged during the Cold War. (Image from Wikipedia.) |
There was a special meeting called for 7:00 PM by Mayor Mapp and the regular agenda-setting session for the 2015 reorganization meeting (set for January 5).
The Mapp administration proposed ten resolutions, including switching telephone and internet service providers (at a savings) and implementing finally an electronic time, attendance and payroll system (we're still paper-based). Reid's questions mainly elicited that savings were to be made.
But, on the resolution to extend the acting position of Eric Watson as Director of DPWUD, Reid engaged in a little tail-tweaking. He asked City Administrator Smiley why Watson was only being put forward for another 90 days as acting department head.
After a brief back-and-forth, Reid concluded the exchange with 'Well, it just seems crazy to me...', and then called for the vote.
Watson was approved 4-2, with Councilors Storch and Williams voting 'no', and Rivers, Reid, Brown and Greaves in support. Councilor Taylor had not yet arrived.
Reid's banter implicitly acknowledged the buzz that Watson's permanent appointment is being held back in exchange for Council approval of Mapp appointees to the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA).
Whether or not that is true, it all reminded me of the famous 'Bridge of Spies' from the Cold War. This is the bridge from the American Sector of West Berlin to Potsdam in the Russian Sector, and was famous for being the swapping point for several exchanges of captured spies between Russia and the U.S. over the years.
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1 comments:
If you quickly skim through your article, one would think Williams and Storch were correct in voting “no” on the extension of Watson as the Director of Public Works and Urban Development for the City of Plainfield.
I mean, c’mon. Of course the man is not right for the job.
He has pocketed thousands of dollars from Plainfield tax payers and now he wants to make more????
Williams and Storch make it appear as they are doing something worthy, but what they are really doing is putting politics before the well being of the people.
They want to picture the other council members as bad public servants, clearly voting for someone who has no business working in Plainfield.
I guess if a snow storm were to approach, we would all just have to fend for ourselves.
Good thing council members Reid, Rivers, Brown and Greaves were there to keep the guy-- at least until they find his replacement.
The real test will be when Mr.
Watson’s contract is brought forward for a full term.
I can bet money that Williams and Storch will vote yes to keep Watson on board.
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