Sharon: The mayor who thinks she is Queen

Is my crown on straight?

Plainfield City Council president Ray Blanco once exploded when Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs rose to speak at a Council meeting, intending to offer her nominations to several boards and commissions in an inappropriate manner (see my 2006 blog post here).

He remarked to me privately at the time that he wondered if she thought she were the Queen of England, believing she had the power of making things happen by fiat.

I was reminded of the incident with two of Her Honor's recent forays: the promotion of a passel of police officers to the rank of lieutenant, and the 'signing' ceremony for the African-Caribbean Commission.

The police promotions have caused a stir because they were done outside the requirement by law that the cost of salary increases for the promotees must have been budgeted before the promotions can be made. Was there budgetary provision? Nope. Sharon, queenlike, promoted by fiat.

Blogger David Rutherford's confusing report of the goings-on surrounding the African-Caribbean Commission (see his port here) 'kick off' on Friday, November 8, raises more questions.

It is billed as a 'signing' in Rutherford's report. But a signing of what? The ordinance establishing the Commission was passed on September 9 and would have had to be signed long ago in order to avoid a 'pocket veto'. So, was this just a ceremonial 'signing'? Rutherford does not enlighten us.

Then there is the question of the Commission's 'members'.

With very few exceptions, the members of boards and commissions are nominated by the Mayor and appointed with the advice and consent of the governing body. (There are exceptions, such as where the governor has a designee.)

Also, all board and commissions (with the exception of two) are appointed on a January 1 to December 31 basis.

In the case of this Commission, we apparently have members appointed by the Mayor's fiat, to terms that do not conform with standard practice. What is going on here?

Which brings us to tonight's Council agenda.

There are always line-item transfers of funds in the last two months of the year, and 2013 is no exception. However, looking closely leads me to suspect that the Mayor is up to something sneaky.

There are several items in the resolution (373-13) up for a vote tonight that have a suspicious odor, transferring funds as follows --

• $131,000 to the Police Division;
• $72,000 to Economic Development;
• $10,000 to Information Technology; and
• $45,000 to Media

It seems that the money to the Police Division may be an ex post facto effort to cobble together funding to cover the police promotions into the new budget year.

Is the $72,000 for Economic Development intended to rescue the Deputy Director's job, which Mayor Robinson-Briggs omitted to fund through proper budget appropriations?

The money for IT and Media are evidently intended to cover for outrageous budget-busting overspending by those units.

What will the Council do tonight?

Will the Mayor who thinks she is Queen be held to account?

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Mapp honored as first Barbadian-American mayor

Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp receives a congratulatory plaque
from BACONJ president Miguel Edghill.

 

Plainfield Mayor-elect Adrian O. Mapp was honored Saturday evening as the nation's first Barbadian-American mayor.

The recognition came as part of the Barbadian-American Charitable Organization of New Jersey's annual dinner dance at L'Affaire.

Hundreds of Barbadian-Americans and their friends gathered to dine and dance as well as celebrate the 47th anniversary of Barbadian independence and honor several of its members, including our Mayor-elect and his wife Amelia.

Master of Ceremonies Miguel Edghill detailed some of the charitable activities of the organization, which include scholarship support and disaster assistnce.

The Rev'd Canon Leroy Lyons, recently retired rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Plainfield, gave the invocation.

To learn more about the island nation of Barbados, see the official government website (here) and the Wikipedia article (here). Once part of the thriving sugar-producing islands, Barbados is now a major tourist destination.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Veterans Day ceremony at 10 AM today

The flagpole at Watchung Avenue and East 7th Street
is Plainfield's original veterans' memorial.

Plainfield honors its veterans today in a ceremony beginning at 10:00 AM on the City Hall steps.

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, other elected officials and representatives of various local veterans' organizations will recognize the service of those who gave their lives for their country as well as all who have served in the military.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Crafts fair, benefit concert today

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church is the site of
today's benefit concert.

 

Two activities for Plainfielders this beautiful Fall Sunday: a crafts fair at FUSP and a benefit concert at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church.

FUSP MARKETPLACE SUNDAY

The public is invited to a fair at Plainfield's First Unitarian Society (FUSP) today, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Featured items will include handcrafts and Fair Trade items such as coffee and tea. Vendors include Arbonne, Pampered Chef and organizational storage experts 'Thirty one'.

FUSP is at 724 Park Avenue. Parking is available in the public lot across Park Avenue from the church.

PLAINFIELD MUSIC CLUB BENEFIT CONCERT

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church is the site of the annual Plainfield Music Club benefit concert this afternoon at 3:00 PM.

This year's featured artist is Alex Nelson, a Rutgers sophomore studying music education, who is being aided by a scholarship from the Plainfield Music Club. Nelson will play Gabriel Fauré's 'Après un rêve', accompanied by his pianist mother.

The Plainfield Music Club annually awards a scholarship to a college-bound high school senior who will be studying in a music-related field. Today's concert is open to the public and freewill contributions will be accepted.

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church is at East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. Parking is available in the Swain Galleries lot across from the church and in the church's parking lot on First Place.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Exhibit on Temple Sholom at Library

The abstract stained glass window in Temple Sholom's website
header is from the West 7th Street building.

The Plainfield Public Library currently features an exhibit on the history of Temple Sholom, which was organized in 1913 as a Plainfield congregation in the Reformed Jewish tradition.

The exhibit was originally prepared to celebrate the congregation's 90th birthday in 2003 and has been updated to reflect the past ten years.

Among topics in which the show is organized are its founders, the changing role of women in the congregation, Reformed worship and education and social outreach.

The congregation's former buildings at West 7th Street and Grant Avenue now house the Queen City Academy Charter School. For several years the congregation has met for worship at the Fanwood Presbyterian Church, and recently broke ground for a new facility in Scotch Plains.

Our very own Harold C. Yood, MD, who blogs as 'Olddoc', is a son of one of the founding families of Temple Sholom.

Congratulations to the congregation on its centennial, and to our friend Dr. Yood!

The Plainfield Public Library is at Park Avemue and 8th Street. The exhibit can be viewed during regular library hours. It is available at several spots throughout the main floor as well as a display in the Plainfield Room on the lower level.

Now, if we could just have an exhibit on the other two Jewish traditions that have been represented in the Plainfield -- Orthodox and Conservative congregations -- we would go a long way to honoring a part of our history that is somewhat obscured.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Mayor-elect Mapp solicits key employee input

Seal of The Queen City.

In launching his Transition Team effort Thursday evening, Plainfield's Mayor-Elect Adrian Mapp made a point of noting that he was looking forward to working with city employees to move the city forward come January and that he was seeking their input as plans are made.

That input will come, in part, from key employee answers to a questionnaire that was distributed throughout City Hall yesterday.

It was my task on behalf of the Mayor-Elect to distribute more than twenty-five of the documents in sealed envelopes marked 'Personal and Confidential' to the recipients and get signatures showing they had been delivered.

It was pleasant indeed to catch up with old friends and acquaintances throughout City Hall, and meet some new folks who have come on board during the past eight years.

Everyone to whom I spoke was most cordial and many were obviously enthusiastic that their opinions were being sought and would actually be valued.

But there were a few surprises.

One employee was not in their office and the administrative assistant told me she did not know where they were. I think she regretted putting it that way as soon as she had uttered the words, but it was too late.

At another office, the door was locked and no answer to my knocks. There was no note on the door explaining why no one was there or when they might be back. Inquiries at neighboring offices left me with the impression that their was friction between the missing persons and their neighbors.

Arriving at another location about 2:20 PM, I was informed that the key employee had already left for the day. Employees in two other locations were on vacation and their assistants promised to make sure my envelope was put on the top of the pile for their return.

Most pleasantly, one key employee invited me into his office where he was in the midst of a meeting with two subordinates. He had a yellow legal pad and the three were composing a list of projects under way and suggestions for the new Mayor!

But perhaps most surprising, I arrived home after my hajj only to receive a phone call saying that I was being accused of 'intimidating' City Hall employees.

Dan, intimidating?

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Mapp corrects 'A Team'

Correction ordered by Mapp includes Riers' name...

...which designer had inadvertently left out of original billboard.

 

Gremlins pop up everywhere, even in Plainfield political campaigns.

Take, for example, Mayor-Elect Adrian Mapp's billboard above the Plainfield Donut Shop.

The billboard lists the entire 'A Team' of Democratic candidates -- or so campaign workers thought.

Sharp-eyed observers noted, however, that 4th Ward candidate Bridget Rivers was missing from the lineup.

After inquiring, Mapp learned that the designer worked from an incomplete list and inadvertently left off Rivers' name.

Even though correcting the error would be costly and eat into precious campaign dollars, Mapp insisted that the designer correct the mistake and a new billboard was put over the old one a couple weeks before the election.

As you can see, doing the right thing is important to Councilor Mapp.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Mapp, Green, Carter, Rivers, Clarke win big

Mayor-elect Adrian O.Mapp addressing supporters
on Election Night 2013. (Image courtesy Siddeeq El-Amin.)

Despite facing down three other candidates, Mayor-Elect Adrian O. Mapp won more than two thirds of the votes cast for mayor in Tuesday's general election.

Unofficial mayoral results, per Municipal Clerk 'AJ' Jalloh are --

• Democrat Mapp: 4,959
• Republican Spector: 711
• Independent Muhammad: 1018
• Independent Belin: 420

Spector did surprisingly well, considering the overwhelming Democratic registration in Plainfield. Belin brought up the rear with a mere 420. Mapp got a resounding mandate.

Observers noted Belin's campaign headquarters went dark in the closing days of the campaign, with two different explanations circulating. One was that he was 'forced' to close down because he was within the bounds where no electioneering is allowed (City Hall Annex next door is a polling place). The other was that he was thrown out for non-payment of rent. Considering that the New Dems rented that same space before and never had to give it up, which story do you think rings more true?

While Buono won Plainfield handsomely (5,498 to 1,600 for Christie), she lost Union County by four percentage points: 49.2% to 45.9%.

Freeholder Linda Carter, seeking a second term, was the largest vote getter for that office in both Plainfield (5,299) and countywide (51,091).

Assemblyman Jerry Green, along with running mates Linda Stender and Nick Scutari, beat back a Republican attack. With 4,476 votes, Green polled nearly double young John Campbell, who in the final days of the campaign positioned himself as the alternative to Green.

One wag noted that Campbell received fewer votes than he had signs, reinforcing the maxim that 'signs don't vote'.

4th Ward Councilor Bridget Rivers trounced GOP opponent Barbara Johnson 758 to 124.

In the non-partisan Board of Ed election Deborah Clarke won a seat with 1,442 votes, coming in ahead of Wilma Campbell's victorious running mate.

Clarke, who was part of the team challenging incumbent BOE president Wilma Campbell's slate (which included BOE member Frederick Moore and newcomer David Rutherford), was surprised as she had drawn the last place slot on the ballot.

The nastiest moment of the generally upbeat BOE campaign came when her opponent David Rutherford attacked her as 'unqualified' since he had attended more Board meetings.

There reports of some fights breaking out outside some polling places, and I myself had to contend with supporters of John Campbell outside my polling place (Hubbard School) who accused me of lying about their candidate, and of being unfair because I took sides. I reminded them I never make a secret of taking sides and suggested there was an opportunity for them to take up the pen and promote their own view of things.

Alas, that would require a little hard work and stick-to-it-iveness, which I don't think is in the cards for this crew.

Would be nice if they would surprise me.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Election Day today: Mayor, Council, Assembly, Board of Ed, more

The 'A Team' on today's ballot.

 

From mayor to governor -- and every level in between -- Plainfield voters will be taking part in the democratic process.

I'll be voting for Adrian Mapp for mayor, Barbara Buono for governor and all of the rest of the candidates in Column A (Bridget Rivers' name will only appear on 4th Ward ballots).

Besides the partisan offices, the Board of Ed will be on the ballot (I'm voting for the 1-4-6 team of Annabella Melgar, Richard Lear and Deborah Clarke).

There are also TWO public questions on the ballot (see my post here).

Whatever else you do today, VOTE.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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John Campbell, Jr.: A mis-leader from the beginning

Candidate Campbell shows his true brand...

... and his hero.

As observers of the Plainfield election scene have come to expect, mailboxes on the weekend before the voting are crammed to overflowing with literature from the various candidates.

This year was no exception: I counted among the mail multiple pieces for Democratic candidates, plus mailers for the two Board of Ed slates, and an odd and mis-leading piece from Assembly candidate John Campbell, Jr.

From the beginning, Campbell has run a deceptive and mis-leading campaign -- and this weekend's mailer only underscores that fact.

To begin with, when his candidacy was announced, it was said Campbell was running against Linda Stender (see my post here), which can only be malarkey, as the Assembly candidates run at-large in their districts.

So, who IS Campbell running against? This weekend's mailer, which caricatures Jerry Green -- and makes factual misstatements about Green's positions -- tips Campbell's true hand: He is hoping to beat Green.

That's mis-leading deception number one.

Candidate Campbell and Mayor Robinson-Briggs
support turning Abbott Manor into veterans' housing.

Secondly, in the fine old Republican tradition of being for something before being against it, we should remember that Campbell spoke at a breakfast meeting hosted by Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs in favor of turning the old Abbott Manor nursing home into veterans' housing. (He now speaks out against 'low income' housing.)

You'd never know Campbell was a Republican from his unbranded signs.

Thirdly, he has mis-leadingly run an un-branded campaign. His signs do not declare his party affiliation at all, nor does his mailing piece. While he hides behind a vague slogan of 'people before politics', it is clear that young John Campbell is interested in disguising his political affiliation because it would inhibit his success at the polls.

Make no mistake about it, young John Campbell has run a mis-leading campaign and would be a mis-leader in office.

Shy away from mis-leaders like you would three-leavéd plants.

I'll be voting for the true-blue brand: Democrats. Column A all the way.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Two public questions on Tuesday ballot

Billboard atop West Front Street building advocates
supporting minimum wage increase.

Plainfielders, along with all other Jerseyans who go to the polls, will be faced with two public questions when they vote on Tuesday.

Taking them out of order, they are --

Question 2: Minimum Wage.

The question is whether to approve an amendment to the NJ Constitution to set a state minimum wage and an annual cost-of-living increase.

The current minimum wage, set in 2010, is $7.25 per hour, with no provision for cost-of-living adjustments.

The proposed amendment would raise that to $8.25 per hour, effective January 1, 2014, with annual COLAs based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index each January 1 thereafter. (By way of comparison, note that New York and Connecticut have recently enacted phased-in increases to a minimum of $9.00 per hour.)

The proposed amendment does not cover employees who rely primarily on tips and whose hourly minimum will remain at $2.13 (yes, that is correct!), per the National Fair Labor Standards Act.

The League of Women Voters fact sheet notes that the current minimum wage is actually LOWER than it was in 1967.

I will be voting YES to raise the minimum wage.

Question 1: Allow Veterans' organizations to benefit directly from existing games of chance.

Under current law, games of chance by Veterans' organizations (bingo, 50-50s, etc.) may only be used to benefit charitable activities and not toward support of the organization's more mundane needs like rent and utilities.

This amendment to the NJ Constitution would allow the proceeds of these local gambling activities to be used to support the group.

I am of a divided mind about this amendment. While I have no quarrel with allowing the vets to apply the proceeds from their games of chance to organizational needs, there are other groups that could use -- and may want -- the same exemption (currently, only Senior organizations are exempt). Why not make the change for everyone?

I will probably vote FOR the amendment.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Plainfield Library photo contest opening and reception today

A montage of photographs showing 'Plainfield Celebrates'

Today marks the opening and awards ceremony for the Plainfield Public Librry's 8th Annual Photography contest. The exhibit opens at Noon in the Anne Louise Davis Gallery.

This year's theme is 'Plainfield Celebrates', and the city's wide variety of cultural, recreational and seasonal celebrations really got local photography enthusiasts' juices flowing.

The exhibit opens with an awards ceremony for outstanding entries. A reception follows. The exhibit will hang in the Anne Louise Dais Gallery space through December 31.

The annual contest is open to amateur and professional photographers and is designed to continually augment the Library's photographic record of Plainfield life. The Library's extensive photography collection includes materials dating back to Civil War days.

The Plainfield Public Library is at Park Avenue and West 8th Street. Parking is available on site. The Library is handicap-accessible.

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8th Annual Photography Contest

Plainfield Celebrates

Saturday, November 2
Noon - 2:00 PM

Anne Louise Davis Gallery
Plainfield Public Library
Park Avenue at Eighth Street

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Plainfield artist in new exhibit

A winter scene in Plainfield back yards.

 

Plainfield artist Gerry Heydt is featured in a new exhibition titled 'Seasons' set to debut this evening as part of Bernardsville's 'Art Walk', a stroll through the Somerset County community's art galleries.

Heydt, renowned for her landscape paintings, is offering a selection of canvases representing the four seasons. The image illustrating this story is a view of Plainfield back yards after a snowfall. Can you figure out the location?

The Artist Reception is this evening from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, and the exhibit will hang through November 30.

Time to check out another of Plainfield's artists.

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EXHIBIT

"SEASONS"

Opening Reception, Friday, November 1
6:00 - 9:00 PM

Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery
Wed - Sat, 10-4 and by appointment
5 Morristown Road, Bernardsville
(908) 963-0385
www.studio7artgallery.com/

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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LWV Forum: Moore disses teachers union; Campbell's ethics challenged

2013 mayoral candidates at LWV forum (left to right):
D. Scott Belin, Adrian O. Mapp, Mustapha Muhammad and Sandy Spector.

2013 Board of Ed candidates (left to right): Wilma Campbell,
Deborah Clarke, Richard Lear, Annabella Melgar,
Frederick Moore, Sr., and David Rutherford.

The Emerson School cafetorium was packed as interested Plainfielders turned out for a three-part candidate forum hosted by the city's chapter of the League of Women Voters.

By way of contrast with the school board contest, the four mayoral candidates were nearly cordial, sharing wide areas of agreement on the issues facing the city (economic development, police effectiveness, the future of the Muhlenberg campus, and more).

Republican candidate Sandy Spector and independent Mustapha Muhammad betrayed a lack of knowledge of New Jersey's public contracts law when they complained of seeing out-of-town companies doing work for the city.

'Scottie' Belin is a different case. Knowledgeable on several issues, people are scratching their heads that he would run now on a slogan of 'change', when as chairperson of the Zoning Board, he has been a willing partner and enabler of Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, who is repsonsible for the mess things are in. There must be more to this than meets the eye; it just doesn't add up.

Of the four, Democratic nominee (and current Councilor) Adrian O. Mapp is the only one who projects the knowledge, the experience and (what is so important in landing resources in the NJ political landscape) the connections to effectively unite and lead Plainfield forward.

The Board of Ed candidates' forum, which opened the evening, was more contentious -- and with good reason.

There was some confusion in getting under way as the LWV moderator, Marlene Sincaglia of Berkeley Heights, asserted her right to control the order in which candidates responded to questions.

Challengers Richard Lear, Annabella Melgar and Deborah Clarke did their best to hold incumbents Wilma Campbell and Frederick Moore Sr. feet to the fire (newbie David Rutherford is more or less along for the ride) over the increasing number of schools under direct state supervision, abysmal standardized test results, ethical lapses in awarding contracts and the District's overall ranking among NJ public schools.

Campbell simply ignored the fact that these issues have only grown more serious over the nine years she has been on the Board of Ed.

When Lear pointed out the District's low ranking compared to other districts and the downward trend in standardized test scores, Campbell would only assert his figures were 'out of date' (he cited current data from the State's Department of Education), but she would not give any figures of her own.

One question about budget matters misstated the District's budget as 'over $100,000'. This was clearly an error -- the moderator picked up on it -- but neither incumbent Campbell or Moore offered a correction (the budget is on the order of $100 million). To further muddy the waters, the moderator initially threw the question to Ms. Melgar, who as a challenger could hardly be expected to have the knowledge to answer a budget question that incumbents Campbell and Moore should.

Lear attacked the matter more substantively, pointing out that the NJ School Boards Association holds that local Boards of Ed are supposed to function primarily as policy-setting bodies which have a responsibility to 'oversee' the budget, the responsibility for preparation of which lies with the Superintendent and staff.

The moderator made what I consider another misstep when posing what appeared to be a simple question: How many school board meetings have you attended?

To be fair, it would have been appropriate to make it an 'apples-to-apples' question by asking the incumbents to describe their attendance BEFORE having been elected. Of course, they will have attended more meetings as elected officials than even the most dedicated observer!

The law sets the conditions for service. While one must be a resident of the community for one year before taking office, there is no other requirement -- including attendance at meetings before being elected. It would have been fairer if the question were not even asked.

The most sparks of the evening were generated when Lear took on Campbell's ethical lapses in orchestrating a sweetheart contract with a law firm with which her husband has business dealings. The law firm overcharged the District tens of thousands of dollars, as pointed out by Lear based on a report by the NJ Comptroller. This threw Campbell off her stride.

The most appalling remark of the evening came from incumbent Moore who, responding to a question about the fact that teachers and support staff are working under the terms of an agreement that expired in June 2012: 'You have to have two sides to negotiate'.

If I were a teacher or aide or support staff person in the District, I would not be happy to be dissed by an elected official in this way. And I would make sure I let them know on Election Day.

The entire evening was taped by a crew from PCTV and should be available for viewing on Channels 34 (FiOS) or 96 (Comcast) by this weeked, as promised by city staff. The taped version will include 4th Ward Democratic candidate Bridget Rivers' opening remarks (there was no debate, as her opponent was not in attendance). Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

You can view biographical info on candidates and their answers to questions posed by the LWV at the local chapter's blog (see here).
 
Each of the mayoral candidates has a website where their platforms are more fully explained: Adrian O. Mapp (here), Sandy Spector (here), Mustapha Muhammad (here) and D. Scott Belin (here).

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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LWV candidate forum tonight at Emerson School

Plainfield's League of Women Voters has been presenting
candidate forums for 93 years.

Plainfield's League of Women Voters chapter will hold its 2013 General Election candidates' forum this evening beginning at 6:30 PM (note time) at the Emerson School cafetorium.

The eveninhg kicks off with an hour with the six candidates for three three-year seats on the Board of Ed. There are two slates running. Though school board elections are nonpartisan, the two slates in the race have distinctly Democratic and Republican alignments.

Incumbent board president Wilma Campbell and current board member Frederick Moore Sr. have been joined by political newcomer David Rutherford. Rutherford takes the place of original 'Grandslammer' Renata Hernandez, who has chosen not to run for re-election.

This slate is opposed by three newcomers: Annabella Melgar, Richard Lear and Deborah Clarke. The threesome have been stumpig the community for weeks to get their names and point of view out.

You can view biographical info on candidates and their answers to questions posed by the LWV at the local chapter's blog (see here).

Following the Board of Ed forum, the League will turn the public's attention to the contested municipal races: the Ward 4 council seat and the mayoral race.

While Democratic candidate (and incumbent) Bridget Rivers was the only Council candidate at the NAACP forum (her opponent Barbara Johnson ws absent because of health issues), League of Women Voters rules require opposing candidates to both be present in order to participate. (This rule was highlighted during the primary race when incumbent mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs failed to appear, causing the LWV moderator to declare the forum closed, but with attendees gathering round candidate Adrian Mapp, giving him a solo opportunity.)

The four mayoral candidates will then have their say.

These include Democratic nominee (and incumbent Councilor) Adrian O. Mapp; Sandy Spector, who is both the Republican candidate and chair of the local GOP; and independent candidates Mustapha Muhammad and D. Scott Belin.

Each of the mayoral candidates has a website where their platforms are more fully explained: Adrian O. Mapp (here), Sandy Spector (here), Mustapha Muhammad (here) and D. Scott Belin (here).

Emerson School is at East 3rd Street and Emerson Avenue. Parking available in the school lot or on the street.

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Plainfield teachers protest lack of contract

Members of the Plainfield Education Association picketing Monday evening.

Could this be the Plainfield Board of Ed's worst nightmare?

As election day approaches (it is next Tuesday) for incumbents Wilma Campbell and Frederick Moore, Sr., and their running-mate David Rutherford, teachers and support staff have taken to the streets to protest that they are now in the second year of working without a contract.

The Board has taken an unhurried pace which has left Plainfield Education Association (PEA) members chafing at the virtual reduction in take-home pay as healthcare costs continue to escalate while paychecks are frozen at the levels of the contract which expired in June 2012.

About fifty members of the PEA, which represents the district's teachers, aides and support staff, gathered outside Plainfield High School Monday evening to protest the delay.

I am told that the last bargaining session between the Board of Ed and the union was to be October 21 and that the state mediator who is helping in the negotiations was supposed to be in Plainfield Monday evening.

The Board of Ed is remaining mum on its position, but many teachers are convinced the board is stalling, hoping the union will cave.

Monday's evening's informational picket was high-spirited but polite. While several cars honked their horns in passing while I was there, the picket became less and less noticeable as dusk deepened.

What the Board of Ed has to worry about is when the teachers decide they are fed up not only with the pace of the negotiations, but with the genteel evening picket lines, and decide to picket in broad daylight while the students are on their way to school in the morning.

That would catch the eye of everyone driving to work along Park Avenue as well as creating a 'teachable moment' in democracy and fair play for the students.

Something the Board of Ed would rather not have, I'm sure.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Buono rallies Union County Dems at L'Affaire breakfast

Candidate Barbara Buono revved up Dems on Sunday.

Plainfield Dems had prime seats as gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono delivered a feisty speech knocking the policies of her opponent, incumbent governor Chris Christie at L'Affaire on Sunday.

Buono joined Sen. Bob Menendez and a host of Union County Democratic officials in a rally emceed by Sen. Nick Scutari, whose district includes Plainfield.

Noting that the media and may people portray Christie as likeable, she warned that just because he is likable 'does not mean that he is on your side'.

She also sounded a note that has bee repeated throughout her campaign, that as a woman she has had to constantly battle the suggestion that she should step aside, or wait or hold off until all the 'boys' in line have had their turn.

She rejected that line and pointed out that each time she ran -- against long odds -- she pulled off an unexpected win: first as Assembly candidate, then Senator and finally, chair of the Budget Committee.

And she urged, with the help of ordinary people it ca be done in the race for governor.

Assemblyman Jerry Green, chair of the Union County Democratic Committee (and also Plainfield's) proposed he expected Union County to be among the highest-ranking for Buono votes. Green also got off a sly poke at Union County's only 'Christiecrat', Scotch Plains mayor Kevin Glover, when he thanked the county party for being 99% behind his backing of Buono, whom he has supported since she first announced her run.

Among the other speakers was Plainfield's own Freeholder chair Linda Carter, who is seeking another three-year term. Plainfield's Democratic mayoral candidate, Adrian O. Mapp, was also singled out by Chairman Green for recognition.

The capacious banquet facility was jammed to standing-room only. When I stopped at the check-in table, I was told -- 'Oh, Plainfield! You'll be at tables 1, 2 and 3'. What a difference from the days when Plainfield would be located off in a far corner of the room.

Being near the speaker's tables meant that Buono had to pass us as she left for her Trenton rally. As she did, she shook hands with those at our table. A good, firm handshake with a look straight in the eye of each person.

Gubernatorial, I thought.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Sunday features debate, rally, concert, talk

'tis the season...

Plainfielders have a plethora of cultural and political opportunities this Sunday afternoon.

In the order of times they begin, here is the roster --

RALLY FOR BUONO & DEMS

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM, Democratic candidates will appear in a rally targeted to Latin American voters at the Plaza at Park Avenue and Front Street.

Besides gubernatorial candidate Sen. Barbara Buono, those making appearances will be Sen. Nick Scutari, Assembly candidates Jerry Gree ad Linda Stender, Freeholders Linda Carter and Sergio Granada and Mayoral candidate Adrian O. Mapp.

The rally will feature music, food and T-shirts, as well as artists and others.

GHOST HUNTING AT DRAKE HOUSE

The Drake House Museum will host author L'Aura Hladik in a talk on ghost hunting at 2:00 PM.

Learn about the hot spots of ghost hunting in New Jersey and New York City based on the America's Haunted Road Trip series. Among the highlights: Proprietary House, the Spy House, Manhattan Bistro and more.

Seating in the Gallery is on a first-come basis (it will fill quickly), and light refreshments will be served after the talk.

The Drake House is at 602 West Front Street, at the foot of Plainfield Aveue. Parking on site and on Geraud Avenue.

NORFOLK STATE CONCERT AT SHILOH

The acclaimed Norfolk State University Concert Choir presents a concert at Shiloh Baptist Church at 4:00 PM (doors open at 3:30).

Under the leadership of Carl Haywood and Terry Butler, director and assistant director of choral activities at the University, the 60-member concert choir will present a varied program of sacred and inspirational music.

The concert is open to the public; a freewill offering will be taken.

Shiloh Baptist Church is at West 4th and Liberty Streets. Parking in the church lot on West 5th Street.

NAACP CANDIDATE FORUM

The Plainfield Chapter of the NAACP will hold its candidate forum at 5:00 PM at the Mohawk Lodge.

Since the school board election has been moved to the November general election, the forum will include the four candidates for mayor (Adrian Mapp, Sandy Spector, Mustapha Muhammad, D.Scott Belin), two candidates for the 4th Ward Council seat (Bridget Rivers, Barbara Johnson), and the six nonpartisan candidates for the Board of Ed (Annabella Melgar, Richard Lear, Deborah Clarke, Wilma Campbell, Frederick Moore, David Rutherford).

The Mohawk Lodge is at 1357 West 3rd Street (corner of Rushmore Avenue). Parking available in the club's lot and on the street.

This weekend marks the home stretch in the fall general election, which takes place on Tuesday, November 5. The next, and last, opportunity to see and hear all the candidates will be at the League of Women Voters forum, Wednesday, October 30 at the Plainfield Public Library (oops! at Emerson Community School) at 7:00 PM.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe..

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