Town Meeting on the State of Plainfield's Finances This Thursday, October 29 at Plainfield Library

Dear Friends,

Over the past several days, I have received many phone calls and other communications from residents concerning the state of Plainfield's finances and the management thereof. Most of these calls focused on recent revelations concerning the failure of the Robinson-Briggs administration to appoint a CFO, the duties of that office, the illegal useof an expired signature stamp on municipal checks in direct violation of state law, and the letter sent to the mayor and council from Susan Jacobucci, the Director of the Division of Local Government Services, demanding that the administration immediately stop this "improper" use of the signature stamp and appoint a CFO.

Other concerns had to do with the fact that, as of now, a budget for FY2010 has not been presented to the council for approval. The fear of a significant tax increase has been expressed by many property owners, some of whom are struggling to pay their mortgages, food bills, and increased utility (such as PMUA and water) rates.

It is against this backdrop that I have scheduled a Town Hall meeting for this coming Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Plainfield Public Library*. I am offering this opportunity to hear from a broader cross-section of residents and property owners about the many concerns they have.

Although taxes may be the main subject that residents bring up, it may not be the only one. Other matters that residents have contacted me about are the lax manner in which the current road repairs are being handled, lack of progress on the Muhlenberg situation, the Senior Citizens Center and Monarch project, and the disruption of a successful voluntary sports program, the Queen City Baseball League, by unilateral moves by the Robinson-Briggs administration to establish another league under the control of the Division of Recreation.

This is another in a series of Town Hall meetings that I will be hosting to provide residents with a forum to express their views on local municipal matters. All residents are invited to attend and participate by expressing their concerns and what they would like to see the City Council do about them. In addition, elected officials wishing to stop by to hear the people's concerns are invited to do so. Please come out and let your voices be heard.

The Plainfield Library is located at 8th Street and Park Avenue and is a handicap-accessible facility. Kindly park in the 9th Street lot, if possible.

Regards,

Adrian

P.S. Look out for Part Three of "The Mayor Dropped the Ball." It will deal more specifically with the illegal conveyance of city-owned property based on the Public Land and Buildings Law.

*This meeting will take the place of my regularly scheduled Thursday office hours.

3rd Ward Council Office Hours Every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

120 West 7th Street (at Arlington Ave.)

Dear Friends,

Constituent service and relations are the key cornerstones of a representative democracy. People should have a place where they can come to receive services from their elected representatives, and elected officials have an obligation to be available and accessible to the people who elected them. It is not good enough to show up at the doors of the voters every four years; we must be visible and reachable each and every day. I believe that transparency in government must be more than just a catch phrase; it must be embraced and practiced by all public servants. A healthy dose of transparency must be mixed with plentiful displays of ethical leadership and blended with a visible demonstration of commitment and accountability that will create a transformative landscape of public servants willing to serve their communities. This is the kind of leadership that is required and needed from all who hold themselves out as public servants, and the public should accept nothing less.

When I was last on the Plainfield City Council in 2004, I advocated using part of the $500K grant secured for the Tepper's building by Senator Frank Lautenberg to create a council chamber with office space (at the garden level) for members of the governing body. I feel now, as I did then, that council members need to have their own office space within the city where they can meet with their constituents. My idea did not win the support of my colleagues back then, and the space in the Tepper's building remains largely unfinished to this day.

I am a firm believer in the notion that constituent service is a key barometer by which the performance of elected officials should be measured; it should be part of the scorecard that residents keep on their elected officials. Yet, members of the legislative branch have no space within the city where they can meet with their constituents, since City Hall and all other city-owned buildings are used by the administration.

However, in every facet of life, we must strive to rise above limitations that impede progress and performance. It is in that spirit that I sought out and secured space where I can meet with my constituents. Therefore, I am please to announce that I will be holding office hours from 6:30 - 8:00 pm every Thursday, beginning September 10, 2009 to make myself more available and accessible to my 3^rd Ward constituents. I will, however, meet with any resident regardless of ward, who has an issue or concern that needs to be addressed by elected officials.

My office will be located on the 2^nd floor of 120 West 7^th Street (at Arlington Avenue). I encourage you to stop by. I am committed to providing you with the assistance you need and deserve. Please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns you may have. My contact information is at left.

Regards,

Adrian

Plainfield Residents Need a CAR

Much has been made about the twenty-four hour use of city-owned cars by City Administrator Marc Dashield and Public Safety/Police Director Martin Hellwig. I am in total agreement with all who view the twenty-four hour use of city cars by certain department heads as an unnecessary perk. I voted “No” on twenty-four hour city car use by Messrs. Dashield and Hellwig. I believe that my vote was reflective of the views of most Plainfield residents, who, from the comments I have received thus far, feel that these officials should commute from their homes in their own vehicles.

However, although I remain opposed the twenty-four hour car use by municipal employees whom I feel don't need it, I am in favor of Plainfield residents having a CAR 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

The CAR I am referring to is an online tool that I am proposing, which I call a Citizen’s Assistance Request (CAR). Citizens would use it to request services from the city and as a vehicle to grade the performance of elected officials and department heads. It would be available on the city’s website to every Plainfield resident who has access to the Internet (there is free Internet access at the library).

Such a CAR would require the mayor and council to be more responsive to citizens’ requests for services. Plainfield residents using a CAR on a 24/7 basis would be able to do the following:

· Request city services
· Grade the performance of elected officials
· Grade the performance of department heads and staff
· Provide constructive feedback and suggestions
· Register as a volunteer

The City Administrator would be responsible for monitoring all CARs and for providing swift responses to citizens requesting city services.

In the interest of transparency, the grades assigned by citizens to the performance of their elected officials would be published on a regular basis. This would be one sure way of making Plainfield’s government more accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Let's provide all Plainfield residents with a 24/7 CAR!

Regards, Adrian