9th Annual MLK Food Drive and Potluck Celebration: Saturday, January 14, 2017

2017 marks the Ninth Annual MLK Food Drive and Potluck Celebration hosted by First Lady Amelia Mapp and me. We are proud to once again open our home for this wonderful event as we honor the legacy of Dr. King.  As always, the party will be at our home at 535 West Eighth Street--click on the flier and print it out. Bring a dish to share for the potluck, and meet and greet your friends and neighbors!  

You may drop off your donations of canned and packaged goods, as well as toiletry items, on our front porch (535 West 8th Street) anytime between now and Saturday, 1/14. Those of you attending the party can bring your donations with you. We look forward to welcoming you and to having a good time with all as we collectively do for others as we would have them do for us!
 
*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 began the toiletry drive two summers ago at our annual Community Barbecue, and the donations were very much appreciated by those who received them. Please be a generous donor again this year. 

Best regards,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield to Hold Major Town Hall Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

City of Plainfield to Hold Major Town Hall Meeting

Plainfield, NJ - December 1, 2016 - Mayor Adrian O. Mapp responds to mounting concern about the upcoming change in the country's administration

On Thursday, December 8, 2016, the City of Plainfield will hold an important Town Hall meeting at the Senior Citizens Center, 400 E. Front Street 7-9 PM. The primary goals of the Town Hall are to:

Address any concerns residents may have about the potential impact to their lifestyle due to the coming change in the country's administration. Discuss legal and social implications to this change. Consider what actions can be taken to protect the rights of those potentially impacted and, what options are available or will be provided in response to any adverse action.

The title of the Town Hall is "A Critical Conversation - Questions for a Changing America." And will be moderated by Ms. Tara Dowdell political pundit and Principal of The Tara Dowdell Group.

The panelists are:

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Mayor, City of Plainfield.

Ari Rosmarin, Public Policy Director, ACLU NJ.

Reverend Damaris Ortega, Pastor of United Church of Christ Congregational.

Adriana Abizadeh, Executive Director, Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Christian Estevez, Latino Action Network.

Todd Cox, Director of Policy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Ashley Vazquez, Plainfield high school Senior

There will also be perspective from other elected State, County and Local officials.

Panelists will prepare with the following guiding questions in mind: Is there a reason for concern? If so, why? What are the powers or limitations of the Mayor or Municipality? What can be done locally to protect the rights of potentially impacted residents (i.e. the undocumented, LGBTQ, Seniors, etc.)? What is the difference between a Welcoming City and a Sanctuary City? How deep will the changes be to healthcare and social service programs, and are there options that communities can take to limit the impact? 

 

Each panelist will provide focus on the work of their organization, and how possible changes on the national level will have a local impact. They will share any strategies their organizations might be contemplating in light of the change in administration, and how local governments, houses of worship, community groups and residents can help shape their work around human, economic and civil rights. 

 

"Our goal is to provide answers in what may seem to be a time of uncertainty for many," said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, "and to ensure that we protect the rights of every person in our community. These are important and valid concerns, and it is the intent of my administration to provide as many answers and resources as we possibly can to address the issue."

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

Plainfield: Loyalty and Trust

Our children fishing at Cedar Brook Pond

There have been many positive changes around our city since 2014. Crime has fallen, investors have displayed renewed confidence in Plainfield through various redevelopment projects, many roadways have been repaved, new businesses have opened in our downtown area, and there are more opportunities for our young people to get involved in community activities.

There are still many who perceive Plainfield as the place it was years ago, and that is simply not so. It has become a norm to emphasize negative information and use it as a basis for vilification of our city. The question we need to ask ourselves, Plainfield, is: “How much loyalty do I owe to my City?”

Just as, within a family unit, people viewing from the outside react to the behavior of the family members, those outside of Plainfield who are looking in feed off the comments and reactions of those who live here. While we cannot pretend that our city is a utopia, we can acknowledge the positive changes that are happening and let the world see Plainfield through our eyes.

So, where do we begin to build trust and loyalty? It begins in our homes; the integrity we display at home follows us into our social gathering places. It extends into our workplaces. How much equity do we place in trust and loyalty? How much of a force for positive change could we be if we displayed that loyalty at all times?

How much could the reputation of Plainfield benefit from the trust and loyalty of those who claim to love her most of all?

As a family, we struggle through hard times together, but if we remain loyal, when one of us rises, we all rise together. This shared prosperity is the real reward in uniting to overcome obstacles; this is the strength that comes from working together; this is how real families and healthy communities create change that lasts; this is how each of us can be part of building this city that we call home. Integrity, trust, and loyalty go hand in hand and family, friendship, and a community built on these can only thrive.

I pledge my loyalty to Plainfield. I have given and will continue to give my time and my energy to the task of building our communities, supporting our businesses, creating jobs, and creating a safe environment in which to enjoy it all.

What will it take to give your loyalty, too, to your family, team, city, state and nation?

Creating One Plainfield, One Future...

 

 

 

 

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield 

We Are "Stronger Together"

“United we stand and divided we fall.” Truer words have never been spoken. The strength and success of any collective group or entity lies in the ability of that group or entity to stand not as individuals but as one.

By combining ideas and talents and each one working together for the good of the whole, there is almost nothing that cannot be achieved. A group loses its strength when members no longer support each other and put their needs and wants above that of the group.

Plainfield as a community is just like that--stronger together, and weaker when divided. If we are to truly see meaningful change in our city, we must rise above petty squabbles, above pride, above selfish wants, and above vain desires. We must bring our strengths to the table and use them to move our city forward.

Look around you. There are many opportunities to contribute to the success of Plainfield even as we move into this new era of redevelopment and growth. It is more important now than ever that we stand together. There are opportunities to volunteer to work on a committee, there are opportunities to work in our neighborhoods, and there are opportunities to mentor our youth, to share our talents and support those that are working for real change.

Plainfield, this city we love needs us to come together and show our pride by making decisions that are beyond selfish wants and desires. We can choose to sit, do nothing and criticize, or we can get involved. We can share our ideas and work for the greater good of our community. Every single person here can be a valid force for change and can make a difference in our neighborhoods and in our city.

United we stand, but divided we will surely fall. We are stronger together and we must question anyone who would encourage divisive action. We must seek answers for ourselves. We must not stop working to bring our city to a place where every single resident is proud to say “That's my Plainfield!”

As for me, I will never stop working to make Plainfield better. I will never stop supporting actions that are beneficial not to one group, but to everyone in our city. I will not stop seeking opportunities to raise the quality of life for our residents. And I will always put the needs of our city first. 

We are Stronger together!

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield 

 

Civic Responsibility is Important to Our Community

With Councilman Goode and civic-minded Plainfielders in the 4th Ward at Operation Clean the Queen.

It's been said that the backbone of democracy and philanthropy is civic responsibility. In the 18th and 19th centuries, citizens in America volunteered and participated in projects that helped to shape their communities and ultimately the nation. Their participation ran the gamut, from voluntary fire departments to the public arts.

More caring neighbors working with Councilman Goode in clean-up.

Because of the actions of these people, citizenship began to be understood in terms of the labors of ordinary, everyday people, working together to create things, which benefited the entire public.

Throughout ensuing years, civic responsibility has remained with us, with varying degrees of participation, but we should never diminish its importance to our community and our society. By being a part of those who practice civic responsibility, we are upholding the democratic values upon which this country was founded.

When we give our time and efforts to clean and beautify our city and our neighborhoods, we are demonstrating civic responsibility. When we volunteer to help someone in need, we are practicing civic duty. When we spend time mentoring and guiding our youth, we are living civic duty.  And when we exercise our right to vote, we are exercising our civic responsibility.

Plainfield, even as we are swept up in the tide of change we see all around us--the redevelopment projects, the numerous road projects, the enhanced relations between law enforcement and our community, even as we see our city morphing and taking shape before our eyes--let's look for opportunities.

Now is the time to get involved. Now is the chance to be a part of something big, something that goes beyond your doorstep and into the community beyond, something that will leave a legacy for your children.

Some of our neighbors have already recognized their power to make a difference and have initiated cleanup activities around the city, unbidden and with the only goal being to make this place we live a more beautiful and inviting space for all.

If every member of our community decided to get involved and exercise their civic responsibility, Plainfield would shine brightly once more as the Queen City.

Our quality of life is only worth extolling if everyone around us enjoys that same quality of life. Be accountable, be a lightning rod for change, take pride in this city we all call home, and let your civic responsibility guide you as we unite to fight for Plainfield.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield