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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Trump's shadow falls across Plainfield



Attendees held sign in support of R068-17, saying
"America: Land of Immigrants" and
"Yes to Sanctuary City".

Not yet four weeks in office, President Trump has already cast a dark shadow over Plainfield's immigrant community.

SID vice president Maritza Martinez spoke at last week's agenda-setting session of how frightened the immigrant community is with the President's threats of mass deportation.

While most members of that community are naturalized American citizens or legal permanent residents (with "green cards"), there is a proportion that is undocumented. Tie of kinship and friendship weave all the strands together in Plainfield, as in many other New Jersey communities.

Monday evening's City Council business session was packed. Though we came early, Bernice and I were stuck in the outer hallway as the meeting got under way.

I was able to get a seat inside after ceremonial matters were attended to and some occupants left; nevertheless, the courtroom was standing-room only for the entire evening.

The mostly Hispanic audience was there for two items primarily: the first reading of the taxi ordinance revisions (allowing police to tow out-of-town taxis) and the "fair and welcoming" resolution.

The resolution (R 068-17) declaring Plainfield a "fair and welcoming" community was passed by unanimous voice vote. While it mentions neither President Trump nor the words "sanctuary city", it is a marker laid down by the Mayor and the City Council as to how the community will treat its residents and information about them. The resolution points out that such protections are offered without regard to immigration status.

As a resolution, it has force only for the current year (meaning until December 31st). A permanent stance would be taken by an ordinance.

The revised penalties section of the taxi ordinance was passed 5-2 on first reading, with Councilors Rivers and Toliver voting nay. (Rivers once again lobbied on behalf of North Plainfield's Soria Taxi, mentioning them by name in her remarks.



Plainfield taxi drivers and their family members filled the
right half of the Courtroom.


Representatives of the four Plainfield taxi companies filled the seats and lined the walls on the right side of the room. A smaller contingent representing North Plainfield cabbies sat on the left side.

The ordinance now must past second reading at the March business meeting before it will formally take effect.


Theresa Ann Moroney Teacher and Plainfield bookstore owner was an avid reader and adventurous cook Theresa Ann Moroney of Plainfield, N.J., died on Jan. 19, 2017, from complications of breast cancer. Family and friends are invited to join together to honor Terry's life at The Landing, 311 Amwell Rd., Hillsborough, N.J., on Sunday, Jan. 22, for brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Terry was born on March 24, 1944, in Summit, N.J., to Mary Gallagher and David Moroney, the seventh of nine children. She graduated from St. Teresa's Grammar School, Summit, in 1958, and attended three high schools: Summit High for two years, followed by a year at Madison High, before graduating from South Plainfield High in 1962. Terry attended Fairleigh Dickinson University while working night shifts at her sister Catherine's diner, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college with a B.A. in English in 1967. While at FDU she served as editor for the school newspaper. After graduation, Terry and her sister Grace travelled across the country. Terry began her teaching career at Westfield High in 1967 and continued at Plainfield High. In 1972 the call of the highway beckoned once more, and she and Grace continued their cross-country exploration. Upon returning to New Jersey, Terry met and married the love of her life, David Beck, and soon welcomed two sons into her world. In 1980 she reentered the work force, teaching adult education in Plainfield and New Brunswick, N.J., a vocation in which she took tremendous pride. In 1992 Terry returned to high school, teaching at North Plainfield until her retirement in 2009. In 1997 Terry opened "Another Look Books" in Plainfield. A labor of love, the used book store served the downtown community until closing its doors in the early 2000's. Terry was active in the Cook School PTA, and while at North Plainfield she served as advisor for the school newspaper and lent her aid to countless students; she took particular joy in helping her ESL students apply to college. She was an active member of the Plainfield Historical Society and the Democratic Committee in Plainfield. Terry was an avid reader and adventurous cook; the two pursuits birthed an extensive and lovingly used library of cookbooks and personal recipes. Terry was predeceased by her husband, David Michael Beck, in 2014. She is survived by her sons, Andrew David and Richard Evelyn; her daughter-in-law, Christine Beck, and grandsons, Damien Carter and Alexander David. The seventh of nine children, Terry is survived by her sister, Constance Costello Rooney. She was predeceased by her brothers, David, Richard, and James, and her sisters, Margaret, Catherine, Rosemary, and Grace. In New Jersey, Terry will be missed by her sister-in-law, Kathleen Moroney; nephews, Charles Femminella and his wife, Charlotte Ryden, Christopher (Gretchen), Sean (Karen), and Mark Moroney (Kelly); nieces, Regina and Renee Femminella, Maureen Pena (Joseph), Sandra Roberts (Steve Kosciolek), and Jennifer McBride (Sean); in Virginia, by Moyra Moroney; in Arizona, by her brother-in-law, Paul Beck and, in Hawaii, by John Beck; and many grand-nephews and grand-nieces. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-moroney&pid=183660148#sthash.mSuRxaeS.dpuf


  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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