tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post4943668499272820520..comments2024-02-14T16:54:15.327-05:00Comments on PLAINFIELD TODAY: Council President Rivers opening can of worms?Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867186465663386310noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-20614363772716817222013-01-17T22:43:08.763-05:002013-01-17T22:43:08.763-05:00There wasn't much wrong with the Council's...There wasn't much wrong with the Council's rules drafted by the late Ray Blanco when he was Council president.<br /><br />Dan, what you are reporting about the treatment of public comments and questions is very distressing!Dottie Gutenkaufhttp://dottieg.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-43190612182056439762013-01-17T20:54:55.620-05:002013-01-17T20:54:55.620-05:00In my 33 years in municipal government, 23 of whic...In my 33 years in municipal government, 23 of which were served as a department director in two different municipalities, there may have been a dozen Council meetings where department directors could not answer questions posed by council members. I think we all recognized our duty and obligation to know our department, it's operations and personnel, and to respond to questions when asked. In part, it was a matter of pride in our professions as public administrators.Michael Townleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01662574405398274576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-9297671273504937182013-01-17T17:03:45.899-05:002013-01-17T17:03:45.899-05:00I mentioned on my blog that the trash cans on Nort...I mentioned on my blog that the trash cans on North Avenue opposite the train station had been removed. I do know that the residences and businesses were dumping all their trash in them. Now they just throw bags on the sidewalk. Sigh.Jackie S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00329275604115301953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-11419223880990263462013-01-17T12:40:23.613-05:002013-01-17T12:40:23.613-05:00To 8:17am - I was trying to respond to Dan's c...To 8:17am - I was trying to respond to Dan's column and was so angry because of the obvious abuse in this city, and the lazy people of Plainfield who let this happen. When I read your comment, I thought - there, that says it all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-60367075592305719252013-01-17T12:31:42.341-05:002013-01-17T12:31:42.341-05:00I am still waiting for answers to questions I have...I am still waiting for answers to questions I have asked before both the McWilliams and Mapp-led City Councils. In no instance did either Council president demand an answer, and in no instance did either follow-up at subsequent meetings, or by contacting me later with an answer. So let's not be hypocrites about this. Obviously not every question can be answered on the spot, and we will find out soon enough if Rivers is willing to bring them up again as old business. <br /><br />As for your contention that the pay-to-play ordinances require open public bidding of professional service contracts, that is not true. They require competitive negotiation (MC 2011-10can be found here- http://www.plainfieldnj.gov/Agendas/Special_Mtg._11.1.11.pdf) and that in itself is a complex story. Far more simple is that from the time these ordinances were approved, and still today, the City Council members barely understand them.<br /><br />Let's also not forget that between the day they were voted on and the day they went into effect, Adrian Mapp took a contribution from R&V that was over the soon-to-be contribution limit. He later refunded a portion of it, enough to make it appear kosher. Though he may be miles ahead of the mayor when it comes to technical competency, he does take the cake when it comes to hypocrisy and opportunism, from which will no doubt stem a good amount of grandstanding in the months to come. Even if we don't ever get the meetings back on public access TV, 'City Dysfunctional' might be a good reality show to sell to the networks. <br /><br />Alan Goldsteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-20630259432421283772013-01-17T12:15:22.699-05:002013-01-17T12:15:22.699-05:00Right after Monday's meeting I personally expr...Right after Monday's meeting I personally expressed my objections to Council President Rivers about r4efering public questions to administration to be answered privately later and thereby excluding the public from information they were entitled to learn. She said she would permit replies at the meeting. We will see Monday.olddochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467958592320642425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-38907075293145510542013-01-17T11:53:55.756-05:002013-01-17T11:53:55.756-05:00This council president is concerning many of the c...This council president is concerning many of the citizens who follow such events. I will be attending as many council meetings to see what happens and let people know what is going on. If the city council votes to pay for Sharon's illegal dealings, I think such a stink should be raised that it follows those council members who voted for it to their next election and defeat. Politics in Plainfield and Union County is dirty and with this council president things in Plainfield will get dirtier. A pox on them all if they don't keep the citizens of Plainfield first. Don't hold your breath though.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02322180868990260305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-80101744700313066222013-01-17T11:49:20.145-05:002013-01-17T11:49:20.145-05:00Will someone please step up and run for Mayor. I h...Will someone please step up and run for Mayor. I have had just as much as I can take of all this negativity.<br /><br />ReneeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1909246571366789334.post-14703357364019058172013-01-17T11:17:28.193-05:002013-01-17T11:17:28.193-05:00When you sleep with dogs you wake up with fleas. ...When you sleep with dogs you wake up with fleas. This City is a dirty, corrupt, dump. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com