Netherwood Station Will Remain Open!

I got word a little while ago that the “discontinuance study” for Netherwood Station which was scheduled for today was cancelled. According to Allen Tanko, The U.S.P.S. District Discontinuance Coordinator, the Postal Service will be keeping Netherwood Station open. The notice I received simply read, “The USPS has decided to stop the study at this point and keep the Netherwood Station open.” No reason was given, and the vagueness of the phrase “at this point” means that another, future conversation may take place. For now, though, it looks like Plainfielders will still be able to use the Netherwood Station.

Regards,

Adrian

Service is Not What We Get, It's What We Give!

Dinner is served!

This past Sunday, the members of the New Democrats for Plainfield had dinner with the men, women, and children who reside at the Plainfield YMCA. This was done as one of our community outreach projects and in fulfillment of our mission to serve our community, including those less fortunate than ourselves. It is at this time of the year, in the spirit of the holiday season that we must give to those who need some assistance. Several members of our club did precisely that on Sunday, not just dropping off the meals, but serving and eating with our YMCA friends in need. It was a wonderful way to help lift the spirits of all present and share in a delicious homemade meal—smoked string beans, ham, baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, barbecue chicken, peas and rice, baked ziti, corn bread, salad, and a variety of sumptuous desserts—all prepared by New Dems club members.

Dee and Niajah, with homemade gift bags for everyone!

Little 8 year-old Niajah Lawton, niece of Dee Dameron, added a special touch to our evening spent with the families by preparing (with a little help from Dee and her sister) 100 gift bags for the residents—these were Niajah’s gifts to them. It was a great lesson for an 8 year-old to learn and to teach. At a time when most children are looking for presents from Santa, Niajah was giving all that she could. As the Bible says, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

We hope that the families with whom we had dinner on Sunday enjoyed the meal as much as we enjoyed serving it. Our only regret is that we couldn’t feed more people and that so many people still go hungry in this, the land of plenty. We will make sure that we do our part again with our next food drive in January.

Delicious food being served by club members.

I wish to thank all of the members of the New Democrats and their families who chose to spend their Sunday evening with the over 50 families at the YMCA. I thank them for caring and sharing. Service is not what we get, it is what we give. 

Regards,

Adrian

In the Spirit of the Holiday Season!

The holiday time of year is one that we all look forward to; it’s a time to share with family and friends in the spirit of the season. It is also a time to remember the least among us and to do all that we can to make their holidays as pleasant as can be, given the current harsh economic realities. Joblessness, homelessness, and for some, hopelessness, are ingredients that could result in unexpected and out-of-character behavior.

As our brother’s/sister’s keepers, we must do all that we can to minimize the burdens, frustrations, depression, anxiety, and loneliness that so many may feel at this time of the year. To this end, if you can place joy into the heart of another person, do it; if you can lift the spirits of a neighbor who maybe in the doldrums, lift them; if you can shine light unto a path that will cause those who may feel lost to find their way, then let your light shine brightly; if you can provide warmth to a family that may be without heat this winter season, do so; if you can give from the many blessings that have been bestowed upon you, be a generous giver, and if you can ease the pangs of the hungry with a meal, be a provider; but in everything that you do, let it be from the heart.

Also, you must take care of yourself during this season, as there are those who do not have the community’s best interest at heart. As you go about your business, always be aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions when traveling alone to and from your vehicle with the many bags that some of you will be carrying. Also, be very careful as you travel the highways and through our city and be mindful of the speed limits. Be the eyes and ears of your neighbor and be on the lookout for anyone who might try to separate you and your neighbor from some of the things you own. Do not hesitate to report suspicious behavior, individuals and activity to our local Police Department.

Finally, have a good time; have fun this holiday season and do a good deed for someone—anyone, in the spirit of the season. God bless you and your family.

Regards,

Adrian and Amelia

Report from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention: Day 3 – November 17, 2011

One of the interesting seminars I attended at this year’s convention dealt with PILOTs (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes). State Comptroller Matthew Boxer suggested very strongly that a municipality should conduct a very robust and comprehensive cost/benefit analysis up front before entering into a PILOT agreement with a developer. 

Three very important questions should be addressed during the analysis: 

1) is the PILOT necessary to attract development or would development still occur without it? 

2) Is the type of development being proposed really needed? 

3) Is it likely to achieve its intended economic goal?

Municipalities should guard against developers who may over-promise in order to make a project appear to be more attractive than it really is. If a PILOT is granted, the developer should be monitored and held accountable for the promised deliverables.

Another seminar I attended dealt with how to prevent sexual harassment and other hostile behaviors in the work place; it was presented by Esther H. Nevarez, Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of the Director for the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety. This was by far the most interesting of the eleven seminars I attended. The many definitions of sexual harassment were touched upon, along with the consequences and the remedies. We were reminded that women can sexually harass men; men can sexually harass women; men can sexually harass other men and women can sexually harass other women. Always keep in mind that being sexually harassed by a man or a woman is against the law.

The Department of Law & Public Safety, through the Division on Civil Rights, is responsible for enforcing the Law Against Discrimination (LAD). Anyone who believes that s/he has been a victim of unlawful discrimination should get in touch with the Division on Civil Rights at the office closest to where s/he lives or where the discrimination occurred.

Remember that it is against the law for anyone to retaliate against you because you choose to exercise your rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. I hope that this and other information brought to you over the past three days from the 2011 New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention has been helpful in some way.

Regards,

Adrian  

Report from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention - Day Two: November 16,2011

 
Assembly Bill 4124 prohibits the distribution of campaign materials at any facility owned, maintained, operated, or leased by a local government. This includes any campaign materials that advocate the nomination or election of a candidate or the defeat of any public question.
 
Assembly Bill 4034 now permits Freeholders and Municipal Clerks to solemnize marriage and civil union ceremonies.
 
Senate Bill 2862 - Emergency Information: This bill would require the Municipal Clerk to publish holiday and emergency information on the municipality's website or in the local newspaper.
 
Within 7 days following the annual reorganization meeting, the Municipal Clerk shall post on the city's website the following: 1) the days which the offices will be closed during the year; 2) days on which the collection of garbage and recycling collection will be suspended or postponed; 3) recommend emergency routes for inclement weather.
 
If the municipality does not have a dedicated website, the Municipal Clerk shall publish the information along with the schedule of meetings in the municipality's official newspaper.
 
Assembly Bill 3785 - Public Officials: This bill prohibits an elected public official, who was not reelected to office, from approving the promotion or increasing the compensation of any public officer or employee for whom that elected official is the appointing authority during the period from the date of election to the end of the elected official's term; except as may be provided in a collective negotiation agreement.
 
Stay tuned for my next report from the 2011 convention.
 
Regards,

Adrian

Report from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention - Day One: November 15, 2011

Assembly Bill 4166: This bill permits primary elections to be conducted by mail in a county where the governing body of the county adopts an ordinance or resolution for the process. The bill includes procedures for the County Clerk and County Board of Elections.
 
Senate Bill 2996: This bill would require certain documentation as proof of voter identity in order to vote. Essentially, a voter, whether voting in person or by mail, would have to show or submit a copy of a New Jersey Driver's license, or a New Jersey non-driver identification card or other document.
 
This new requirement would not apply to any voter by mail-in ballot under the federal "Uniformed and Oversees Citizens Absentee Voting Act" or under the "Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act."
 
Stay tuned for more reports from the 2011 NJLM Convention.
 
Regards,

Adrian

Thanks to Our Veterans

I wish to thank all of of Plainfield's veterans on this, their special day. I thank you for the enormity of your sacrifice, the depth of your courage, your loyalty to our great nation, and above all, for your unearned pain and suffering. We love you, and we exalt you above all but the Creator, whose saving grace has kept you through the many battles that you have fought. May you be blessed, this day and every day.

With great thanks,

Adrian