Community Barbecue on Saturday--Remember Plainfield's Neediest

This is just a final reminder for Plainfield residents to come out and enjoy the 8th Annual Community BBQ on Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 4:00 pm until midnight, at the home of First Lady Amelia Mapp and me, at our home located at 535 West 8th Street, Plainfield, NJ. This year, we are requesting that attendees also bring some toiletries to be donated to our residents who are in need of them. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins, lotion, mouthwash, and other sundries. We hope that you will be a generous donor this year.

You may continue to drop off your donations today and tomorrow, or you may bring your contribution with you on Saturday.  Please drop off your items on our front porch at 535 West 8th Street, right here in Plainfield.

We look forward to neighbors helping neighbors and making a difference wherever we can. A good time awaits one and all--constituents, neighbors, family, and friends. 

With your help, we can make a difference.

Regards,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

 

8th Annual Community Barbecue Saturday, August 15--All Are Welcome!

The First Lady and I invite you to our 8th Annual Community BBQ on Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 4:00 pm until midnight, at our home located at 535 West 8th Street, Plainfield, NJ. As always, the BBQ is open to the entire Plainfield community. Amelia and I are asking everyone to bring some canned goods and other non-perishable food items, as well as toiletries, to be donated to those in need in Plainfield. We hope that you will be a generous donor this year.

You may begin dropping off your donations this week, and any day leading up to the day of the BBQ, or, you may bring your contribution with you.  Please drop off your items on our front porch at 535 West 8th Street, right here in Plainfield.

We look forward to neighbors helping neighbors and making a difference wherever we can. We look forward to seeing all of Plainfield to celebrate this wonderful summer with you. A good time awaits one and all--constituents, neighbors, family, and friends. 

July 4 Parade and Concert in the Park

After the 92nd Annual Central Jersey Fourth of July Parade, bring your lawn chair to Cedar Brook Park to enjoy the concert--rain or shine! Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 pm.

6/29/15 Plainfield City News: From the Office of the Mayor

The list of this week's updates is below in my weekly letter--to read each update in depth, please sign up via email to have it delivered straight to your email inbox. It's easy--call (908) 753-3310 and provide an email address, or just send an email to:

 cynthia.blake@plainfieldnj.gov or marilyn.nieves@plainfieldnj.gov

  

Dear Plainfield,

 
A key priority of the administration is to engage and provide resources and opportunities for Plainfield youth. On June 25th, the City of Plainfield had the Summer Youth Employment Program kick-off meeting and orientation for 150 Plainfield youth. This will begin a great opportunity and experience for first-time job holders and new hires.

These young people will have an opportunity to learn new skills—such as effective communication, scheduling, and prioritizing the work load in a structured environment; most importantly, they will achieve the pride and self-esteem that comes from being counted on as a team member, fulfilling responsibilities, and being financially compensated for their contributions to the work force. This experience will reinforce positive habits and will add to the foundation of these 150 Plainfield youth. 

Creating One Plainfield – One Future,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

This week’s updates:

• Mayor’s Task Force (Summer Youth Employment Program Orientation 2015)
• Plainfield Bilingual Day Care Transition
• Plainfield Road Closures
• Economic Development Update
• Administration and Finance Update
• Public Affairs and Safety Update
• Workforce Development Update
• Division of Parks and Recreation
• Plainfield Health Center Events
• Plainfield YMCA Update
• Plainfield Education Update
• Union County Update: Recycling Events
• State of New Jersey Update: Unveiling “The Democracy Act”
• Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: Introduces Bill Improving Access to Health Insurance for Pregnant Women
• President Obama: Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare and Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month  

 

6/21/15 Plainfield City News: From the Office of the Mayor

The list of this week's updates is below in my weekly letter--to read each update in depth, please sign up via email to have it delivered straight to your email inbox. It's easy--call (908) 753-3310 and provide an email address, or just send an email to:

 cynthia.blake@plainfieldnj.gov or marilyn.nieves@plainfieldnj.gov

  

Dear Plainfield,

It is with deep sorrow that we, the residents of Plainfield, join the rest of the country in mourning the death of nine innocent black Americans who lost their lives to senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the nine victims, their families, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the City of Charleston. The tragedy occurred in a historic church where worshipers seek peace and reflection. Ironically, this storied church was founded by African Americans seeking freedom and justice. However, in 1822, Emanuel A.M.E. was burned to the ground after plans for a slave revolt were exposed. Some of our brightest leaders spoke from the front steps of this church as they led marches while embracing the highest ideals of our nation. Too often, hate claims the lives of our innocent and, as a society and nation, we must unite and find a way to be one human race.

Today, June 21, we are welcoming the first day of summer and observing Father's Day. As a society, we know the vital role fathers play in the lives of their children. Very often, fathers are our first coaches, teachers, mentors, and role models, who demonstrate by example the people they hope we become. We can discuss at length education, workforce development, public safety, fiscal responsibility, and economic development, but "government" cannot make our children pick up a book and study, or provide discipline and motivation. That is our job--as fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, and extended family.

The key message I want to share with Plainfielders on Father's Day is that our children don't need us to be "extraordinary"--they need us to be ordinarily present and engaged in their lives. The family dinners and conversations, bedtime stories, the encouragement to dream, and the ability to persevere in the face of life's challenges, no matter how large, are paramount. 

Over the span of my professional career, I have been a CPA, a Certified Purchasing Agent, a Councilman, a Freeholder, and am now serving as Mayor of Plainfield. I can say, though, with all my heart, that my most important job has been as father to my two daughters, Ayisha and Shermona, and I do this in partnership with the most amazing person in my life--my wife, Amelia.

BTW, call your father this Sunday and tell him how much you appreciate him! Happy Father's Day!

Creating One Plainfield - One Future,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

This week's updates:

• PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) Advocates Translation of Council Meetings
• Impact on the Tax Payer: Bilingual Day Care Comparison
• Administration and Finance Update
• Public Affairs and Safety Update
• Workforce Development Update
• Division of Parks and Recreation
• Plainfield Health Center Events
• Plainfield Area YMCA Update
• Plainfield Education Update
• Plainfield Learning Center
• Union County Update: Freeholder Meeting
• State of New Jersey Update: Bill to Impact Atlantic City
• Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: Service Academy Days
• President Obama: State on the Murders at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, SC  

Thank You, Plainfield

My friends, 

I am humbled by your confidence and support for our candidates in Column C. You proved that YOU, the people, run this city. Congratulations to Barry, to Cory, and to all our City Committee candidates who worked so hard to earn this victory. Plainfield wins.

TAKE 30 SECONDS TO VOTE... COLUMN "C" FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

 My friends, Plainfield is at a crossroads. We need to elect Democrats who will care about Plainfield over politics. You have seen the obstruction--it must end if we are to continue moving our city forward. You have a chance to participate in the future of Plainfield. This is a critical election. Please support COLUMN C Barry Goode for Councilman At-large, 1st & 4th Ward, re-elect Cory Storch as our 2nd Ward Councilman, and vote for our City Committee Candidates in all wards. As we have been saying:

"Take 30 seconds to vote...get positive change in Plainfield."

The Tale of Two Demolition Projects

Over the past few weeks, many questions have come up regarding the building on North Avenue (117-125 North Avenue) that was taken down on March 21 due to the emergency situation, and which caused damage to an adjacent building and harm to a longtime business, which has had to relocate. There also seems to be some confusion over construction terms used. What was explained is that the term "by hand" means that no explosives or wrecking balls could be used. It does not mean literally "by hand." As a part of my administration's commitment to transparency and openness, we have posted all documents relating to the demolition. 

Unfortunately, questions remain, and the city council has refused to pass the resolution to pay the contractor for the work done so far. The governing body is placing itself in a precarious and unprecedented situation. It is unprecedented when one examines "The Tale of 2 Demolition Projects," a document that I am posting which shows the particulars and the timeline of what the council did with the other North Avenue building (181-191 North Avenue), which was taken down under the Robinson-Briggs administration in 2010, in comparison with what my administration is doing. Please note especially three items regarding 2010: 1) the timeline between violations citations and order to demolish; 2) the R&V structural report date; 3) the "Imminent Hazard" notices (one in April 2009 and one in March 2010--almost a year later).

In 2010, the council fully cooperated with the Robinson-Briggs administration, even though the administration clearly took its time in dealing with this imminent danger. What's more--there is no record of a state agency being notified or sending a letter of approval for the emergency demolition of 181-191 North Avenue, as required by law.  Further, the Robinson-Briggs administration never placed a lien on that property to recover the demolition costs. Please note also that the price for taking the building down in 2010 dollars was $181,153.00. I have prepared a resolution for the May agenda to attach a lien for the $181,153.00 demolition cost. The total of existing liens amounts to $444,183.39. 

I am placing these documents here so that you may understand that what my administration did in trying to remove this imminent hazard was done as expeditiously as possible within the requirements of state statute. The documents I have posted below clearly illustrate that the previous administration sat on this situation for years. However, when the 2010 demolition finally took place, the contractor was paid. For the city council to reject payment of the bill from the current contractor leaves the city in a precarious state, and they have offered no reasonable explanation for refusing to do so.