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For a hundred years, the cupola atop City Hall has stood as the city's emblem |
If you've glanced at the agenda (online here) for the Plainfield City Council's reorganization meeting (on New Year's Day at Noon in the PHS Auditorium), you may have noticed that the actual council business appears as Item 13 on page four and is headed "NEW BUSINESS".
Why is there no old business?
That's because each year's business must be concluded by December 31st or re-introduce again after January 1st of the new year. That's because the Council is considered a "new" body each January 1st following the November elections. No matter if the faces don't actually change; those who have been elected and/or re-elected are sworn in to office and the body reorganizes itself for the new year.
Those being sworn in are Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, who will commence his second term as mayor;Joylette Mills-Ransome, who has been elected to serve out the balance of the term of former Wards 2/3 at-large councilor Rebeca Williams; and Steve Hockaday, who will take the 4th Ward seat.
The U.S. Congress is similar, except that the Congress is considered to sit as a body for two years, after the election of the House of Representatives. In fact, Congresses are even numbered by their sessions -- this being the 115th Congress.
The "reorg" meeting as it commonly called features the swearings in of new officials, the election of the Council's officers, the adoption of standing resolutions for the year (calendar, newspapers, etc.), and appointments (or reappointments) of certain officials.
The new Council president and the Mayor speak -- offering reviews of this past year's achievements and a vision for the coming year.
Among the reappointments slated for Monday are 2 judges, 3 prosecutors, and 2 public defenders, as well as the city's Chief Financial Officer. The passage of the resolution (R 016-18) contracting with David Minchello to provide "Corporation Counsel services" in effect is also a "reappointment."
I am indebted to reader B.P. for calling my attention to the fact that none of the Mayor's department heads -- Ron West (Administration and Finance), Orren Dabney (Public Works and Urban Development), Carl Riley (Public Affairs and Safety), Carlos Sanchez (Deputy City Administrator for Economic Development) or City Administrator Rick Smiley are listed for reappointment.
This is noteworthy because these are the Mayor's "hands and feet", the ones who actually organize the work of city employees and see to it that the Mayor's vision for the City is brought into being. Without them, Mayor Mapp would be unable to achieve his objectives.
As far as I can see, they have given 110% for the Mayor's vision within their fields of responsibility, so I am a bit puzzled. Assurance of continuity in the leadership team would be reassuring to the public that these folks are committed to serving.
A "People's Reception" will immediately follow the reorganization meeting and will take place in the PHS cafeteria until 5:00 PM.
Parking is available in the Stelle Avenue and Kenyon Avenue lots as well as on the street.
Why is there no old business?
That's because each year's business must be concluded by December 31st or re-introduce again after January 1st of the new year. That's because the Council is considered a "new" body each January 1st following the November elections. No matter if the faces don't actually change; those who have been elected and/or re-elected are sworn in to office and the body reorganizes itself for the new year.
Those being sworn in are Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, who will commence his second term as mayor;Joylette Mills-Ransome, who has been elected to serve out the balance of the term of former Wards 2/3 at-large councilor Rebeca Williams; and Steve Hockaday, who will take the 4th Ward seat.
The U.S. Congress is similar, except that the Congress is considered to sit as a body for two years, after the election of the House of Representatives. In fact, Congresses are even numbered by their sessions -- this being the 115th Congress.
The "reorg" meeting as it commonly called features the swearings in of new officials, the election of the Council's officers, the adoption of standing resolutions for the year (calendar, newspapers, etc.), and appointments (or reappointments) of certain officials.
The new Council president and the Mayor speak -- offering reviews of this past year's achievements and a vision for the coming year.
Among the reappointments slated for Monday are 2 judges, 3 prosecutors, and 2 public defenders, as well as the city's Chief Financial Officer. The passage of the resolution (R 016-18) contracting with David Minchello to provide "Corporation Counsel services" in effect is also a "reappointment."
I am indebted to reader B.P. for calling my attention to the fact that none of the Mayor's department heads -- Ron West (Administration and Finance), Orren Dabney (Public Works and Urban Development), Carl Riley (Public Affairs and Safety), Carlos Sanchez (Deputy City Administrator for Economic Development) or City Administrator Rick Smiley are listed for reappointment.
This is noteworthy because these are the Mayor's "hands and feet", the ones who actually organize the work of city employees and see to it that the Mayor's vision for the City is brought into being. Without them, Mayor Mapp would be unable to achieve his objectives.
As far as I can see, they have given 110% for the Mayor's vision within their fields of responsibility, so I am a bit puzzled. Assurance of continuity in the leadership team would be reassuring to the public that these folks are committed to serving.
A "People's Reception" will immediately follow the reorganization meeting and will take place in the PHS cafeteria until 5:00 PM.
Parking is available in the Stelle Avenue and Kenyon Avenue lots as well as on the street.
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