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A doe pierced by an arrow. Bow hunting is considered by many to be inhumane. The Mapp administration is not supporting a hunt or kill in Plainfield. |
Oops! Forgot an important point. See below.
While animal activists had come to the Council's agenda session loaded for bear, the Mapp Administration stopped them in their tracks.
Council President Mills-Ransome, knowing the activists had come prepared to speak, moved to suspend the normal order of business so that the public could be invited to participate in the deer control discussion. That was a wise move on her part.
Everyone was surprised then when the discussion opened with a declaration by Health and Social Services Director Shep Brown that the Mapp Administration would not conduct or support a deer kill in Plainfield.
That pretty much headed off the expected protest, and activist Marie Ansari expressed her appreciation for the move. Resident Lyle Kamenir expressed interest in a deer contraceptive program the state is investigating and volunteered to help with regard to implementing it.
Corporation Counsel Minchello underscored that without the City's consent, there would be no hunt or kill in Plainfield.
There was some discussion among the Council members themselves after Councilor Storch urged the city to look into working cooperatively with the County and perhaps other communities in a common approach to deer population control.
Storch pointed out -- to an outburst of laughter from the audience -- that all that was needed for the defeat of something like a contraceptive program would be for deer from another community (not participating) to walk across the city line.
MERCHANDISE ON SIDEWALKS
Corporation Counsel Dave Minchello explained that some merchants are under the impression they have a 3-foot buffer from the front window of the store to display merchandise.
He assured the Council (and the audience) that is not the fact, that merchandise is not allowed on the sidewalk, period.
This has been a topic of concern for years, and the public has been told repeatedly that Inspections will crack down. Director Orren Dabney assured the Council that the Administration will work to make merchants aware. (I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to enlist the newly revitalized SID in the effort. It could be the "carrot" in a carrot-and-stick policy, while Inspections could be the "stick".)
OTHER DISCUSSION
Thank God for Councilwoman Ashley Davis, who boldly asks questions that provoke the Council and Administration into considering things more deeply --
Latin American Independence Festival: Davis asked for clarification of what "support" the City was offering as cited in Mr. Garcia's request. She also asked to be assured that the condition of approval by surrounding merchants had been met.
She asked several questions of Public Works in relation to various improvements to Seidler Field, Hannah Atkins and Rushmore Field.
Davis quizzed Economic Development about several points -- the most salient being the review by the Planning Board of the North Avenue redevelopment plan, suggesting greater density would be problematic given the Administration plan to eliminate parking with a pedestrian mall.
She engaged with Health & Social Services over the agreement with the (bankrupt) Neighborhood Health Services Corporation. The discussion brought forth the fact that if NHSC went belly up the contract would be unenforceable. When asked if there is a backup plan, we learned that Administration is preparing one.
With regard to increasing the stipend for the Coordinator, Office of Emergency Management, she elicited some comparative numbers from Mr. Minchello for other, similar communities. (The stipend will go from $6,000 to a range of $6,000 - $16,000.
And when resident Bob Chanda precipitated a discussion about the effectiveness and safety of the newer 4-way STOP signs sprinkled around town, Davis proposed that the Police Department prepare a presentation for a public meeting of the Council to update residents on the matter.
She has a talent not only for provoking useful discussion, but making suggestions on followup that actually advance matters. Refreshing!
While Davis wasn't the only one to speak, she did take the lead. Others who kept the conversation(s) going were Councilors Cory Storch, Barry Goode, and Steve Hockaday. Sorry I missed crediting everyone in my haste to get to bed last night. :-(
City Council meets for its business session at 7:00 PM Monday, September 9, in the Council Chambers / Courthouse at Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Parking available on the street and in the lot across from Police Headquarters.
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