Dottie G. on importance of tonight's budget hearing

In an email late last evening to her Plainfield readers, activist Dottie Gutenkauf urged concerned residents and taxpayers to come out to this evening's City Council budget hearing and voice their support for full funding of the DPWUD's Planning Division.

I am reprinting the email below --

The U.S. Bill of Rights took effect on the 15th day of December in 1791. ... Many of us will exercise our rights to freedom of speech and assembly in the City Hall Library beginning at 7:30 pm on Monday, December 17, when the City Council has scheduled a special meeting which will include its public hearing on the administration's proposed budget.

The most pressing problem in the budget proposal lies in the Department of Public Works and Urban Development, where the director, Jennifer Wenson Maier, wants to lay off the part-time Principal Planner, a Plainfield resident and a certified Landscape Architect with experience and expertise in many other areas relating to planning, historic preservation, and urban development. This would be a serious blow to Plainfield, and I hope you will join me in urging the City Council to amend the proposed budget to restore that position and to provide additional professional staff for the Planning Division as well.

Ms. Wenson Maier told the Council at a recent budget meeting that she wanted many of the functions now being performed by the staffer she wants to get rid of to be done by Remington & Vernick, the South Jersey engineering firm, and that there would be no extra cost to the City--a claim I found totally absurd. She also stated that the rest of that staffer's functions would be distributed among other City employees. More recently, City administrator Mark Dashield stated both privately and publicly that none of those functions would be outsourced, with the possible exception of matters involving landscape architecture--that instead, they would be "redistributed," presumably within the PW&UD Department. Although I would very much like to take this option seriously, in my opinion it is simply not realistic. None of the divisions within PW&UD are overstaffed, and piling additional responsibilities on people with an already demanding workload will simply make matters more difficult and create unnecessary and unproductive delays.

Effective city planning requires not only competence and professionalism, but also knowledge of and dedication to the community being served. The current Planning Division staff exemplifies all of those necessary characteristics, and its workload is continuing to increase--especially now, as more areas are being considered for redevelopment. Reducing staff at the same time that the demand for services is increasing is a formula for disaster. The Planning Division's need for adequate staffing has been recognized by our Planning Board and by the Historic Preservation Commission, both of which recently went on record unanimously opposing the proposed layoff.

I agree with them completely: cutting the Planning Division staff would be absolutely the wrong decision, and it's a proposal the Council should unanimously reject for the good of our City.

I urge you to attend the Council meeting on Monday in the City Hall Library and join me in making our voices heard. I hope to see you there.

Dottie joins myself, Bernice and Maria in underscoring the importance of this meeting and of the city keeping an independent, responsive and cost-efficient planning capacity.

See you tonight at the City Hall Library, 7: 30 PM!

---

-- Dan Damon

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Courier News losing traction?

There were no Courier News papers at the newsstand this morning. At 7:00 AM, after waiting from 6:30 AM.

There were no Couriers in the streetside newspaper vending boxes either.

This is the fourth time since Gannett moved the Courier's printing away from its Bridgewater facility (where it has been printed and distributed for 35 years) to its printing plant in Middlesex County.

Problem is readers expect their paper in the morning. The other instances of failure of timely delivery were on weekdays -- when commuters either get the paper before going to work or skip it altogether.

So we had a little snow on the road. Do you suppose the Buffalo News didn't get delivered? Or the Minneapolis Star-Tribune?

With all we hear about how much trouble newspaper circulation is in, you would think publishers would bend over backwards to get the damn thing in peoples' hands.

Wouldn't you?

---

-- Dan Damon

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Dottie G. reports on Death Penalty repeal

From Blue Jersey video posted to YouTube.

Plainfielders who have followed and/or participated in the death sentence repeal campaign in New Jersey know that Plainfield's own Dottie and Joe Gutenkauf have played an important role in marshaling citizen support and input in the long-drawn-out process. Dottie reported on the final vote with an email which is reprinted in full below --

It is my great joy to report that the NJ State Assembly passed the death penalty abolition bill yesterday. The vote was 44 to 36. On Monday, the State Senate passed it by a vote of 21 to 16, and Governor Corzine is expected to sign it very soon. This makes New Jersey the first state to abolish the death penalty through legislation. A broad coalition of citizens and organizations has spent many years working toward this goal, under the leadership of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and Joe and I are proud to have been involved in their efforts.

You can see a clip from the post-vote press conference [on YouTube here].

Our 22nd Legislative District Assembly representatives, Jerry Green and Linda Stender, supported abolition. We were especially proud of Assemblyman Green, who spoke eloquently in favor of the bill and who chaired part of the Assembly session while Speaker Joe Roberts addressed the body about the importance of the legislation. Outgoing Democratic Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, who cosponsored the bill with Republican Kip Bateman, has earned our everlasting gratitude and leaves a magnificent legacy. In the Senate, Ray Lesniak (D) and Robert Martin (R) led the repeal effort. The legislation could not have passed without bipartisan support.

It saddens me to have to add that our 22nd District State Senator, Democrat Nick Scutari, voted against the bill, as did former Plainfield City Councilman, Republican Jon Bramnick, now an Assemblyman from Westfield. Given the fact that Plainfielder Byron Halsey, convicted of the brutal murder of two Plainfield children, was recently exonerated after spending nearly twenty years in prison, I had hoped that those two legislators would have been particularly sensitive to the problems inherent in capital punishment and the possibility of executing innocent people. Fortunately for all of us, one courageous juror in Mr. Halsey's case refused to agree to the death penalty--and we are grateful to him for preventing the execution of an innocent man.

I can't adequately express our thanks to all of you who helped in this effort throughout this long and arduous process. Joe and I were proud to represent Plainfield in the legislative chambers as this historic legislation was passed by the State Senate and the Assembly. Our thanks to you for your continued support, encouragement, and action--this is one more example of the importance of citizen involvement in the making of public policy.

Dottie Gutenkauf

Well done, Dottie and Joe!

---

-- Dan Damon

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Free Holiday parking

*

Once again, shoppers in Plainfield's downtown business district will have free Holiday parking, courtesy of the Mayor and the City Council.

The policy takes effect Monday, December 17, and runs through January 2, 2008. You may even see the plastic bags announcing the policy appearing on city parking meters over the weekend.

Happy Holidays!

-- Dan Damon

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Council needs your input Monday on Planning Division funding

Plainfielders should make no mistake about it: the Robinson-Briggs administration is out to gut the Planning Division.

Though the Council has indicated it intends to fund the Division as it stands, City Administrator Mark Dashield insisted -- as Bernice reported in the Plaintalker yesterday (see more here) -- that the administration still wants to cut staff and outsource planning responsibilities.

Citizens have a last chance to speak out against this dangerous idea at Monday evening's City Council budget hearing by voicing support for the Council's funding proposal. (The meeting is 7:30 PM, in the City Hall Library.)

The attempt by the Administration is a further extension of the warfare it has waged unabatedly since DPWUD Director Jenny Wenson Maier took up her position in January 2006.

What is at stake is having an independent, professional staff whose only interest is serving the PLANNING NEEDS AND INTERESTS of the community, its taxpayers and residents.

Planning Board member (and former city councilor) Donna Vose has written persuasively (see here) of the inability of even the best-intentioned outsourced planning consultant to understand and be responsive to the CULTURE OF THE COMMUNITY. And the danger that such ill-considered planning advice would set future agendas in stone.

I wrote in early November of two other concerns: the COSTS associated with outsourcing, and the potential for CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (read more here).

In considering costs, reflect on this: George Stevenson, the Remington & Vernick engineer foisted on the Planning Board as its 'consultant', drives up from south Jersey twice monthly for the board's meetings. On one of those trips, he stays overnight at a hotel -- courtesy of you the taxpayer -- so that he can be here for a morning top-level staff meeting.

You didn't know? And why is HE involved in top-level staff meetings? After all, he's just a consultant, right?

Which leads to my second point, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

How can the community be best served if it cannot guarantee that conflicts of interest are avoided?

Case in point: last week's Planning Board meeting.

Mr. Stevenson, the consultant, was to take the Planning Board over the reduced 'Netherwood' redevelopment plan and point out -- for the record -- all the reasons that the area qualified as 'in need of redevelopment'.

Mr. Stevenson has stubbed his toe in this department before. Repeatedly.

(This is the same consultant who prepared Paulsboro's waterfront redevelopment plan, which was overturned by the New Jersey Supreme Court with some pretty sharp language -- see more here and here.)

Evidently not wishing to leave anything to chance, the Union County Improvement Authority (UCIA) sent along one of its attorneys, Ed Boccher, to manage the presentation.

Mr. Boccher is much more skilled at this -- even doing a bit of 'warm and fuzzy' by dragging the late urban planning guru Jane Jacobs into the conversation. (I am not sure she would have appreciated it if she knew what the proposal was all about.)

Mr. Boccher is an agent for the UCIA, with which the city has an interlocal services agreement for redevelopment.

Since the agency and the city are in a contractual relationship and the UCIA is involved in other matters and with other principals whose interests may not coincide with those of the city of Plainfield, a potential for conflict of interest results.

Now, THERE IS A PLACE FOR OUTSOURCING -- under the CONTROL of the Planning Division. When the Planning Division, in its considered, professional opinion, feels that an outside professional hired under the direction and supervision of the Planning Division could assist the Division in executing its responsibilities faithfully, it should be free to do so. Or not, as it sees fit.

This attempt by the Administration to reduce the Planning Division's staff is just another try by the camel to get its nose under the tent.

It is the Council, the Administration has been reminded, that sets the budget. And councilors are particularly sensitive to public input as it is the public who elects them (Councilors Gibson and Davis are up for election next year).

You can help by coming out Monday evening and voicing support for the Council's intent to leave the Division fully funded.

---

• Donna Vose: "First drafts control agendas" -- Guest column in the Plaintalker.
• Plaintalker: "Council Frames Budget Cuts"
  
• Plainfield Today: "Outsourcing Planning: This Way Be Dragons"
  

-- Dan Damon

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How Plainfield fares under new school funding plan

How area districts will fare under new plan. (NY Times graphic.)

Plainfielders are finally getting a peek at what's in store for school funding, after Gov. Jon Corzine's presentation at a south Jersey school yesterday.

Abbott Districts have been worried that the governor's proposal for rejiggering school funding would put them at a disadvantage vis-a-vis wealthier districts. Meanwhile, other districts in which numbers of at-risk students have dramatically increased over recent years, yet who are neither Abbotts nor well-to-do, have been hopeful of funding changes to benefit them.

In a Solomonic move, Corzine has attempted to address everyone's concerns with a proposal that gives most districts increases in a range from 2% to 20% -- though even some of the wealthiest will see also see increases.

Both the Ledger and the Times give the story extensive coverage this morning, with lots of details, while the Courier gives scant mention, cutting the Gannett story in half and putting in on page 3.

How Plainfield ranks with other NJ districts. (NY Times graphic.)

To me, one of the most interesting features today is the Times' interactive map, where you can drill down to info on any single school district in the state -- and see how it ranks among the state's 526 total districts in each of twelve categories.

For instance, our average spending per pupil ($13,961) ranks us as 62nd out of 526 districts, while our average teacher salary ($51,795) stands near the middle of the pack at 246 out of 526 districts. Our teacher/student ratio of 10.4 puts us in the high middle range of 302 out of 526 districts.

Taxpayers will especially note that the percentage of the cost of the school system borne locally -- 13% -- places us in the high end of state support, along with the other Abbott Districts.

Does the new formula signal that Abbott districts will be held to lower annual increases in ensuing years? And does that prospect mean that Plainfield taxpayers will ultimately have to look at funding more of the school budget?

These are questions which should rivet taxpayers.

But will such attention, if given, lead to more intense scrutiny of school matters -- especially as measured by attendance at school board meetings?

Only time will tell.

---

• Ledger: "Middle- and working-class districts benefit" -- Q&A overview here.
• Ledger: "Union County fares well in state's new aid formula"
  
• Gannett: "Half school districts get big aid hikes under Corzine's funding plan"
  
• NY Times: "Increases in school aid range from 2 to 20 percent under Corzine plan" -- Interactive chart here.

-- Dan Damon

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$800K state aid sets stage for budget closure

Word circulated Tuesday afternoon that Plainfield's aid from the state for this fiscal year is pegged at $800,000.

Though about thirty days late and more than $2 million short of the amount for which the Green/Robinson-Briggs administration asked, it will at least lay the groundwork for the Council to strike the FY2008 budget, on which is has held hearings throughout the past couple of months.

A special budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 17.

One has to wonder about how things will go after this year, in which the city asked for MORE than previously and received LESS. Especially when the new police contracts (3.5% per year over three years) are factored in, along with the final instalments of the state's offloading of full pension and benefits costs to local communities.

Add to this the expected outcome of the firefighter union's contract negotiation -- next up, and which traditionally follows the path broken by the police settlements -- and we are looking at continued severe budgetary pressures on the Administration.

Once upon a time, there were hopes that Plainfield's way through this morass would be both to bring residential and condo development to fruition AND to expand the business and light industrial bases along with bringing in new high-tech companies (that was the thought behind having an important fiber optic Internet line running through the city).

That was then, this is now.

The Green/Robinson-Briggs administration is focused only on residential-retail mixed use development.

Will the policy of putting all its eggs in one basket succeed?

Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, do not expect tax relief any time soon.

---

• Ledger: "State aid flows to Democratic-controlled districts"

-- Dan Damon

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Redevelopment: Did Jerry Green miss the brass ring?

The elevator shaft at Dornoch's Plainfield project:
Doorway to nowhere?

Plainfielders may well ask themselves whether, in the great redevelopment sweepstakes, Assemblyman Jerry Green has missed the brass ring.

After the difficult negotiations surrounding the redevelopment of the Park-Madison parcel into a new County office building and retail shops, the possibility of Assemblyman Green and then-mayor Al McWilliams reaching a modus vivendi over redevelopment receded from view -- even as developers continued to show interest, especially in the West Front Street 'Marino's' area and the historic North Avenue area adjacent to the main train station.

It appeared that Green was happy to see projects stalled or sidelined (remember the Council flap over having a gas station as part of the Marino's project that caused it to tank?) until he could get McWilliams off the scene.

But did he miss the chance of a lifetime?

Already by October 2006, there were signs that things were not going well in the residential market and questions about the timing of the Green/Robinson-Briggs initiatives (see my "Development as Russian roulette?").

And then there was the question -- raised by the Planning Board and the Council -- of marketing studies -- or should I say the LACK of marketing studies (see my "Lots of smoke, no magic in development plans"). But it's beginning to look like marketing studies, even if they had been done and done well, would not have prepared us for current market conditions.

News comes down today that outfits to which the Fishman interests had sold off portions of the Asbury Park waterfront they owned have suspended, scaled down or asked to alter the projects in which they are engaged (see "Esperanza halts beachfront condo construction" in today's Asbury Park Press). You will recall that the Fishmans are the masterminds of Dornoch at Plainfield, developing our senior center/condo project on East Front Street.

Down payments for 70 of the units for the 224-unit Esperanza high rise are in limbo. You can be sure, though, if the developer attempts to downscale the project from its 'luxury' label, that buyers may go to court to get the money back -- leaving the developer with ZERO sales.

This comes just days behind news of an even more intense retrenchment in Perth Amboy, Carteret, and East Brunswick (see "Real estate slump has developers stymied").

In this case, more than $2 billion in condo, retail and office construction projects have been halted or shelved.

Consider the viewpoint of one of those developers, as reported in the Ledger here --

"'I thought we'd just be going downhill, but we went off a cliff,' said Jason Kaplan, president of Kaplan Cos., a developer with multimillion-dollar projects planned in Carteret and Perth Amboy."

The signs of pulling back were already apparent in Plainfield back in July of this year, when Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs reviewed redevelopment plans for the Courier (see my story "Development: Plainfield taxpayers should read the fine print" of July 17).

Speaking for herself and her mentor Assemblyman Green, the mayor opined that both the North Avenue and Marino's area projects were 'years away' (see archived Courier story here). This came only days after a Flemington developer had asked to be let out of age restrictions on a large condo development in that community because of 'changed market conditions'.

So, where are we today in Plainfield?

The Dornoch Senior Center/condos project is currently the only one under construction, though there is no sales office and rumors abound that the $350,000 prices dreamed of when ground was broken have faded into the mists. Replaced by what? $250,000? -- we shall have to see.

Meanwhile, the Capodagli proposal for the East Third/Richmond/Cottage Place area has been unheard of in months -- ever since they managed to wreck the PMUA's plans for its new headquarters. Shelved? Withdrawn?

If you've been following the financial markets, you know that we are just getting into the scary part of the woods, not out of them. And that more nasty surprises are coming in the banking, mortgage and securities arenas. The next front you may hear about could be major defaults on construction loans, the loans used to build all these condo and retail projects.

So, while 'The Monarch,' Dornoch's Plainfield senior/condo project continues to go ahead, careful observers have to ask themselves if Assemblyman Green missed the brass ring.

And if Plainfield's taxpayers will have to foot the bill.

Asbury Park's Esperanza condos,
on which construction has been halted. (Photo, APP)

---

Asbury Park: "Esperanza halts beachfront condo construction"
Perth Amboy, Carteret, E. Brunswick: "Real estate slump has developers stymied"
Plainfield Development and Redevelopment --

• "Development as Russian roulette?" (10/26/2006)
• "Lots of smoke, no magic in development plans" (10/18/2006)
• "Development: Plainfield taxpayers should read the fine print" (07/17/2007)

-- Dan Damon

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Dial against the death penalty

Plainfield's death penalty activist Dottie Gutenkauf emailed an urgent message over the weekend, which I am quoting in full below --

The State Senate will vote Monday on the bill to abolish the death penalty and substitute life without parole. The session begins at 2 pm.

Our State Senator, Nick Scutari, needs to hear from you personally!

Please call him as soon as possible--today, if you can--at 908-587-0404. If you can't reach his office, please email him today at SenScutari@njleg.org to urge him to vote YES on Monday.

It's been a long, hard slog, I know--but if we don't stop now, we can win this!

Thanks for all your help,

Dottie

This is a watershed moment for New Jersey.

Take a moment to phone or email your opinion. You do not have to be lengthy, or support your opinion with loads of backup detail.

At this point, the legislators have heard about every opinion, fact and theory out there. That is not what counts right now. What legislators will be paying attention to today, is what their CONSTITUENTS are saying.

Though the session is this afternoon (2:00 PM), and Sen. Scutari may well not be in his office, you can be sure that his staff will be monitoring both the phones and the email to relay voter sentiment to him right up until the session starts.

Your voice can count, but only if you take action now.

Call the Senator's office -- (908) 587-0404 -- email Sen. Nick Scutari now.

Dottie thanks you, and so do I.

-- Dan Damon

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Monday: Be an angel for the YWCA's kids

Plainfield holiday activities continue Monday with an opportunity for you to be an angel for the Holidays.

The YWCA continues it celebration of 100 years of service to Plainfield and the surrounding communities with the annual Hanging of the Greens festivities on Monday evening. The YWCA's holiday tree will be decorated with angels signifying contributions to the agency's preschool and after-school programs. Your angel can be there.

The annual event harks back to the days when single women lived at the YWCA, and gathered together to decorate the striking 2-story octagonal reception area with greens, a tree and ornaments, according to Executive Director Jackie Glock.

Several years ago, I had the honor of meeting one of those 'YW girls' who met her husband -- then the organist at Grace Episcopal Church -- while she was living in the facility in 1944, during WWII. They had returned to Plainfield to celebrate the couple's 50th anniversary by renewing their vows at the church.

Though the YWCA no longer serves to house young working women, the tradition of hanging the greens has continued as an opportunity for supporters of the organization to make a contribution and to socialize.

The Hanging of the Greens reception will be held at 7 PM, Monday, December 10 and is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the YWCA at (908) 756-3500 x112.

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-- Dan Damon

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Sunday Holiday Activities: House Tour, Recital

This weekend is packed with holiday activities for the whole family. Here is what you can do on Sunday.



Van Wyck Brooks District 2007 House Tour:
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Sunday - December 9. 2-7 PM. See the Courier video preview here.

Check out the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District's Tour page here. Tickets: $20 in advance at Swain Galleries, East 7th and Watchung or $25 day of tour at 935 Central Avenue, tour starting point.

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Organ Recital: Mark Miller at Wilson Memorial Church
Sunday - December 9. 7 PM.

Mark Miller, minister of music at Covenant UM Church in Plainfield, will preside on the Wilson Memorial Church's organ for a recital you won't want to miss. Wilson Church is just off the Watchung Circle on Hillcrest Road and has generous parking. Refreshments follow the recital. A free-will offering will be taken.

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-- Dan Damon

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Saturday Holiday Activities: Wagon Ride, Concerts

This weekend is packed with holiday activities for the whole family. Here is what you can do on Saturday.



Holiday Horse and Wagon Rides
Saturday - December 8. Noon - 3 PM.

The SID's 3rd Annual Horse and Wagon Ride gets even bigger. Thrills for kids of all ages taking rides in horse-drawn, straw-filled wagons. An old fashioned winter treat. Two staging areas: West Front Street, near McDonald's and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. Treats for the kids, coupons and drawings for prizes -- including two TVs and an 8-foot stuffed stocking -- as well as hot cocoa for all and a visit by Santa (at Plainwood Square Park).

Info: Visit the SID website or call (908) 756-1088. FREE.

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Heritage for the Holidays Concert
Saturday - December 8. 7 PM.

H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Youth Chorus -- winners of Mcdonald's GospelFest contest -- present a concert of holiday favorites, with the theme 'Help for the Homeless'. At Shiloh Baptist Church, West 4th and New Streets. Canned good donations welcome and will benefit area food pantries. Tickets: $25/adult, $15/Seniors, $10/Children. Info: (908) 222-1722.

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Holiday Choral Concert: Our Family Celebration
Saturday - December 8. 8 PM.

A concert by the NJ Gay Men's Chorus. Attendees are invited to bring a donation of canned goods, which will be donated to a local food bank. $25 at the door. Discounts in advance -- see their website here or call (609) 396-7774 At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue.

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-- Dan Damon

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Weekend Holiday Activities

This weekend is packed with holiday activities for the whole family. Check them out and make your plans now.




13th Annual Drake House Christmas Tree Lighting
Tonight - December 7. 7 PM.

Stories, carols, refreshments -- and many decorated trees throughout the house. Drake House, 602 West Front Street (at Plainfield Avenue). Info: (908) 755-5831. FREE.

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Holiday Horse and Wagon Rides
Saturday - December 8. Noon - 3 PM.

The SID's 3rd Annual Horse and Wagon Ride gets even bigger. Two staging areas: West Front Street, near McDonald's and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. Treats for the kids, coupons and drawings for prizes -- including two TVs and an 8-foot stuffed stocking -- as well as hot cocoa for all and a visit by Santa (at Plainwood Square Park).

Info: Visit the SID website or call (908) 756-1088. FREE.

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Heritage for the Holidays Concert
Saturday - December 8. 7 PM.

H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Youth Chorus -- winners of Mcdonald's GospelFest contest -- present a concert of holiday favorites, with the theme 'Help for the Homeless'. At Shiloh Baptist Church, West 4th and New Streets. Canned good donations welcome and will benefit area food pantries. Tickets: $25/adult, $15/Seniors, $10/Children. Info: (908) 222-1722.

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Holiday Choral Concert: Our Family Celebration
Saturday - December 8. 8 PM.

A concert by the NJ Gay Men's Chorus. Attendees are invited to bring a donation of canned goods, which will be donated to a local food bank. $25 at the door. Discounts in advance -- see their website here or call (609) 396-7774 At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue.

---

Van Wyck Brooks District 2007 House Tour:
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Sunday - December 9. 2-7 PM. See the Courier video preview here.


Check out the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District's Tour page here. Tickets: $20 in advance at Swain Galleries, East 7th and Watchung or $25 day of tour at 935 Central Avenue, tour starting point.

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Organ Recital: Mark Miller at Wilson Memorial Church
Sunday - December 9. 7 PM.

Mark Miller, minister of music at Covenant UM Church in Plainfield, will preside on the Wilson Memorial Church's organ for a recital you won't want to miss. Wilson Church is just off the Watchung Circle on Hillcrest Road and has generous parking. Refreshments follow the recital. A free-will offering will be taken. More info on the church website here.

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-- Dan Damon

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Police: Gilliam, O'Brien promotions Friday

There will be a promotional ceremony on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 10:30 am in the City Hall Library.

The following Police Division officers will be promoted:

Lt. Michael Gilliam will be promoted to Captain
Det. Kevin O'Brien will be promoted to Sergeant

The public is invited.

Plainfield faces court challenge on 'blighting' for parking deck

Plainfield's City Council appeared surprised on Wednesday evening by the announcement of a prominent land use attorney that he represented several property owners who will challenge the city's attempt to include the parking lot on East Second Street in the expanded North Avenue redevelopment plan.

Peter Dickson, of the Princeton firm of Potter and Dickson, successfully argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court in the landmark Gallenthin v. Paulsboro case last spring. The high court unanimously ruled a municipality cannot condemn a property simply by declaring it not fully productive, thus raising the bar on proofs for 'blighting' an area to further redevelopment.

(The Planning Board meets at 8 PM this evening in the City Hall library to hold a public hearing on the 'reduced' -- and poorly named -- Netherwood area redevelopment plan. This plan was reduced from 93 to 16 properties in response to the eminent domain case at the heart of the parking lot challenge. The public is invited.)

For those who have observed the Planning Board's struggles with its own consultant, George Stevenson of Remington & Vernick, Mr. Dickson's comments seemed well-aimed.

Stevenson has repeatedly been challenged by the Planning Board, its attorney, and members of the public on the lameness of his research and attempts to frame compelling reasons for blighting -- not only in regard to the parking lot, but other areas as well.

Some observers have thought Mr. Stevenson a hapless and lackluster researcher. Others, perhaps more seasoned, have surmised that he knows exactly what he is doing and that he is marching to a different drummer -- decidedly NOT the Planning Board -- and that the unconvincing material he dredges up as arguments for 'blighting' are simply the best that he can do because they are the best available.

In any case, if Mr. Stevenson suffers any pangs of trepidation as he drives up to Plainfield twice monthly, they are not likely to be eased by the prospect of duking it out with such heavyweight eminent domain attorneys as Mr. Dickson and his partner, R. William Potter.

Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson was quick to reply to Mr. Dickson's comments, asserting confidence in the Planning Board having done its homework.

Councilor Cory Storch leapt into the breach -- while his colleagues sat slackjawed -- stating forcefully and eloquently his belief that the Planning Board, which had gone back to review and revise the study after the Supreme Court ruling, had done its homework and could withstand a court challenge.

Whatever the outcome, Assemblyman Jerry Green is greatly in debt to Councilor Storch for coming to the defense of the plan, which is part of Green's larger vision for downtown redevelopment.

"Fasten your seat belts," as Bette Davis said in All About Eve, "it's going to be a bumpy ride."

---

• Law.com: "N.J. Court Sets a Tougher Test of 'Blight' for Using Eminent Domain"
• NJ Eminent Domain Law Blog: "Gallenthin Realty v. Borough of Paulsboro"
• Philadelphia Inquirer: "An Owner Fights Paulsboro's Plan to Develop a Site"

-- Dan Damon

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PMUA: Mitch it is, is it?

Plainfield City Hall was bubbling with gossip Wednesday afternoon that Assemblyman Jerry Green had picked former mayor and Fourth Ward councilor Harold Mitchell to replace William Reid as a commissioner on the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority.

Reid must resign the seat upon being sworn in as a councilor, which is scheduled for tonight's Council meeting -- to which I am headed now.

More later.

- - - - - - - -
9:30 PM - Update

Mr. Reid was duly sworn in, though the Council did not appear to take any sort of public vote on appointing him to the seat. This is unlike previous situations of the same sort, where the vacancy was filled by voting to elect one of the three names submitted.

In any event, the more dramatic event of the evening was the announcement by Peter D. Dickson, Esq., who is representing several property owners impacted by the proposed expansion of the North Avenue Redevelopment plan and informed the Council that he had notified Corporation Counsel in the afternoon of the intent of his clients to sue over the study for the proposed plan.

I am sure we shall be hearing more on this matter.

-- Dan Damon

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Geraud Avenue bridge: One strand in a spaghetti bowl

Map showing Geraud Avenue area. (Click to enlarge.)

After years of pressure from Somerset County on Plainfield to eliminate the Geraud Avenue bridge -- even dangling a million-dollar lollipop before a cash-hungry city -- it looks like this brook may flow uphill.

AST, the developer of the Marino's tract, which is supposed to be anchored by a supermarket, opines that the existence of a bridge over the Green Brook at Geraud Avenue to funnel traffic from the north to the site is essential to its viability.

Add to that support from South Plainfield, and it looks like the bridge could have another chance, especially if the Plainfield Council adopts a resolution of support.

Not without some wrinkles, of course.

Hence the spaghetti metaphor.

Geraud Avenue, view toward North Plainfield. (Click to enlarge.)

First, there is the question of whether Somerset County will want another bridge closed. That's a serious matter.

You may have noticed that traffic in Plainfield has increased dramatically over recent years, especially in the downtown business district. The nineteen north-south bridge crossing over the Green Brook have all been impacted by the opening a few years ago of the Watchung Square Mall and the intensification of businesses along 22.

So, while Somerset County (which maintains the bridges, but shares the cost with Union County) has in the past said it would want to close the Sycamore Avenue bridge if Geraud is reopened, my hope is that the City would press for a complete DOT review of all nineteen crossings, their role in the general north-south flow of traffic in the metro Plainfield area, and any impacts closing any bridge(s) would have.

That's the least the City should hold out for.

The DOT would also become involved (it has not been previously) as Front Street is a state highway at that point and a traffic control design would need state approval.

Then there's the question of the Geraud Avenue bridge itself.

Plaque on the Geraud Avenue bridge.
(Click to enlarge.)

Built in 1904 (not 1804 as I had previously misread the bridge's plaque), it is said to be historic -- not only for its age, but for its construction technique. If the state regards it as historic, the replacement process could become more complicated.

And, if we plan for success, the question of the bridge's width will need to be taken into account.

Then there's the question of keeping commerical traffic out of a residential neighborhood if Geraud Avenue becomes a popular route.

Spaghetti anyone?

-- Dan Damon

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Plainfield police contracts: A gamble won

Salary ordinances to implement the contracts negotiated with Plainfield's police rank-and-file and suprerior officers are ready to roll.

While the coverage has focused mostly on the salary ranges involved (see links below to previous stories), my eye was caught by a different detail.

I heard rumors last summer that a deal would probably be reached without going to arbitration.

The reason?

It was widely believed by union members that the extra medical plan, the fate of which had inflamed the negotiations over the previous contract, was a goner if these negotiations failed and an arbitrator was named to make an award. That was regardless of any salary award.

Looks like the cooler negotiating temperature paid off for the unions in another way.

The negotiated settlement with the city proposes to give union members an annual pay increase of 3.75% each year for the three-year contract.

Meanwhile, Union Township police -- after two years of mediation and arbitration -- finally landed a contract. The last two years of their contract award, which align with this year's and next year's Plainfield contract, give the Union Township cops increases of 3.35% and 3.5%. That's in contrast to Plainfield's 3.75% for each year.

I'd say the cops' gamble paid off.

---

• Plaintalker (11/18): "Police Contracts Top Council News"
  
• Courier (11/19): "Plainfield, police union reach deal on 3-year contract"
• Ledger (11/20): "Police union reaches contract agreement"
• Ledger (11/28): "Union Twp. police have a contract at last"
  

-- Dan Damon

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Hoboken's 'cowboy' cops and Plainfield's 'true blues'

Hoboken SWAT team leader Lt. Angelo Andriani having a hoot in LA.

Who knew New Jersey's response to the Katrina devastation would play out the way it recently has?

Plainfield police were part of the EMAC response team from New Jersey that was sent down to Jenner, LA, and put to work providing security and disaster assistance under the leadership of a proper chain of command.

How different, we are learning, were Plainfield's team from the 'cowboy' behavior of Hoboken cops who were in the same town of Jenner. (See links to online stories at end of post.)

First, we learned of the Hoboken cops' shenanigans with some Hooters babes -- pictures of which caused national embarrassment for the hapless police department, which subsequently disbanded the SWAT team.

Now, we learn that these Hoboken cops were 'freelancing' -- that is, they were not sworn or deputized as part of the EMAC operation and would have exposed Hoboken to liability if they had made any arrests while in Louisiana. And prosecution in Louisiana for 'impersonating' officers, to boot!

And, as if all that were not enough, there is now an emerging dispute as to who paid for them to go.

Plainfield's responders shine next to these guys.

---

• Jersey Journal: "Officials say cops were 'freelancing'"
• Hudson County Now: "Who paid for SWAT team trips? Depends who you ask."

-- Dan Damon

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Reid will make an interesting Council choice

Word in the street is that of the three nominees to the Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Freeholder-elect Rayland Van Blake, PMUA Commissioner William Reid is the pick.

Per state law, three names were forwarded by the Democratic City Committee to the City Council -- Reid, Alex Toliver (also a PMUA Commissioner), and activist Hattie Williams (a Housing Authority Commissioner) -- who must choose one within fourteen days of Van Blake's resignation.

Mr. Reid, who has been a long-time and well-respected commissioner of the PMUA, was reappointed to that board by Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs last year after a brief hiatus.

By all accounts, Mr. Reid is a diligent board member, always having read his packet and comes to meetings well-prepared. He is also known as a no-nonsense person with high levels of expectation that people will perform competently and that procedures will be adhered to.

Demanding competence and proper procedures could be a winning combination in dealing with an Administration in which both are matters at stake.

Reid would serve in Van Blake's seat until next November's election, at which time the remainder of Van Blake's term would be filled -- presumably by Reid, who in the normal course of affairs would be tapped for the ballot by the Democratic City Committee this spring.

In any event, we can expect a decidedly more activist councilor.

-- Dan Damon

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Corzine's thin skin guarantees Turnpike story has legs

Seems we've had a rash of thin-skinned pols recently, but I never thought we'd add Governor Corzine to the list. Color me wrong.

Last Sunday's Asbury Park Press had a front page story as part of a package of stories on the governor's proposal to 'monetize' the Turnpike. It's been in the news so much lately, it's been kind of a snoozer. I mean, when will we get real details?

So anyway, the APP illustrated it with a delicious sendup of Corzine, as if he were selling hot watches or naughty French postcards, holding his overcoat open to show his wares. Cute.

But the guv, who I cannot recall reacting to these visuals ever before, sent out his flacks to protest.

They called the image 'a tremendous disservice'.

Which made the photo -- and the story -- news.

Blue Jersey, the Democratic blog, scanned the APP front page and posted it on Flickr on Monday.

Editor and Publisher, a widely read media trade journal, picked the story up on Tuesday, and the Asbury Park Press ran an item it picked up from the In The Lobby blog on Wednesday.

AND the New York Times capped off the week by putting it in the Jersey section this morning!

How's that for putting legs on a clever, but not unforgettable, visual pun?

---

• NY Times (today): "Aide Criticizes Paper Over Corzine Illustration"
• Blue Jersey (11/26): "Asbury Park Press editorialized Corzine" (Flickr)
  
• Editor & Publisher (11/27): "'Asbury Park Press' Corzine Toon Draws Statehouse Complaint"
  
• Asbury Park Press (11/28): "Complaining about news coverage makes it a story"
  

-- Dan Damon

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Angela Perun memorial service this morning

The memorial service for Angela Perun, the late Assemblywoman, City Councilor and community activist is this morning.

Memorial Service for Angela Perun
Saturday, December 1, 2007
11:00 AM

First Unitarian Society of Plainfield
724 Park Avenue