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
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
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
Monday, October 17, 2016
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
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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
Monday, October 3, 2016
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. |
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