Call Me - I Make House Calls

Oftentimes, the position of an elected official cannot be fully grasped from the written word or from the commentary you see on television during the airing of council meetings. This is why I have always enjoyed speaking to individuals on a one-on-one basis or in a group setting, such as a block or neighborhood association meeting. This preference, on my part, is one that brings me closer to the residents I represent and provides an opportunity for individuals to get to know where I stand on the issues that are important to the city of Plainfield, to them, and to me.

Hence, I would welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with any of you, so that we can truly communicate, in the comfort of your home or that of your neighbor.

This is an invitation for you and me to talk about Plainfield and your concerns, ideas, and vision for our city. So, I would urge you to give me a call at (908) 380-2241 or email me at Adrian.Mapp@Plainfield.com to schedule a face-to-face meeting. Good communication, with a purpose, clears up most misunderstanding and, at the same time, broadens ALL understanding.

I look forward to hearing from you and, yes, call me, I make house calls.

Regards,

Adrian

Hurricane Irene: Notice to constituents based on my conversation with Plainfield's Public Safety Director

UPDATE: Designated shelters are Washington Community School (427 Darrow Ave), Emerson Community School (305 Emerson Ave), and the Plainfield Senior Citizens Center (400 E. Front St).

The City is prepared for Irene.

Police HQ will be used as the command center.

Flyers have been prepared and will be distributed to low-lying areas that maybe prone to flooding.

A six-wheel drive vehicle capable of climbing steps is available for use.

The Fire Department is ready with boats in the event of severe flooding where people have to be rescued.

DPW, Police, and Fire are available to assist residents and to respond to emergencies.

Meals were ordered in case people have to be placed into shelters.

The voluminous emergency plan document is up to date as it relates to Police and Fire; the portion dealing with shelters is awaiting approval from the State Police.

The city is preparing for the worst and has ordered plenty of supplies, including food that can easily be prepared.

Chain-saw crews will be on standby to clear city streets.

PSE&G has been contacted and will respond as quickly as possible.

City shelters will be identified by Friday and will be posted on the City of Plainfield website

Regards,

Adrian

Annual Community Barbecue--Come One, Come All!

The Third (correction) Fourth Annual Mapp Community Barbecue will be held tomorrow at my home, 535 West Eighth Street, rain or shine! Bring your family, your neighbors, and your friends! We will be grilling and relaxing all day, until you have had enough food and fun. We hope to see you all there!

Regards,

Adrian

This Fall, I Will Be Supporting Scutari, Green, and Stender for Reelection

The representatives of the 22nd legislative district have recently received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO. State Senator Nick Scutari, Assemblyman Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender all possess a very good track record on the state level; Scutari is best known for his advocacy for quality education, public safety, and for the compassionate use of medical marijuana; Stender for her strong commitment to public safety, women’s health, and fair housing reform, while Green is best known for his passionate support of decent housing for all of New Jersey as chair of the Housing and Local Government Committee. Most recently, this trio stepped up to the plate in support of organized labor and in opposition to Governor Christie’s assault on health benefits for members of the labor movement. They stood tall with the labor movement while Republicans and some wayward Democrats, led by Senate President Sweeney, gave organized labor the proverbial finger. Senator Sweeney committed an act of treason against the very movement that has made him one of its leaders.

I believe that the state of municipal finances across all 566 municipalities requires concessions on the part of organized labor; I also believe that with ever-increasing property taxes, with a jobless rate that is over 9%, and with thousands of homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure, there needs to be shared sacrifice on the part of all, organized labor included. However, I believe that the bargaining table is the place where needed reform can and should be achieved. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and other laws require employers to bargain with unions and to do so in good faith. We must not turn back the hands of time. Any and all attempts to crush the labor movement by way of legislation should be resisted and should be vehemently opposed by all progressive minded individuals and by all people of good will.

There can be no denying that many of us have benefited enormously from the labor movement, and owe much of our success to the early pioneers of the movement who had the temerity to confront unfair labor practices, harsh working conditions and exploitation. Much of what we enjoy today and take for granted, are the fruits of seeds that were sewn by people like A. Phillip Randolph, César Chávez, Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, Bayard Rustin, Lane Kirkland and Mary Harris Jones, to name just a few. I owe my career today to a shop steward who stood up for me when a manager wanted to preserve the job of his girl friend who had less seniority than me. I kept my job in the mail room at US Lines and the girlfriend of the boss had to go, thanks to organized labor.

I stand with elected officials who stand with organized labor, I may not always agree with them, but I will give credit where credit is due. Organized labor should not fall victim to the bully pulpit of a governor’s office, and should not be betrayed by politicians who lack an appreciation for the historic struggles that have brought us this far along the way. Governor Christie maybe willing to throw out the baby with the bath water, but if we allow that to happen, chances are the baby will die and organized labor as we know it will cease to exist. Let’s keep the baby alive, let’s support those who support organized labor.

To that end, I stand firmly with the democrats in the 22nd legislative district who stood tall with organized labor in an attempt to blunt the force of Christie’s attack. This fall I will be supporting Scutari, Green and Stender for reelection as a means of keeping the Governor in check.

Regards,

Adrian

Police Consolidation: A Shared Service Whose Time Has Arrived

On March 25th of this year, I submitted a proposal to Union County Prosecutor Ted Romanow that, if adopted will lead, in my view, to a radical transformation in the way crime is addressed in Union County from its eastern end at Elizabeth to its western end at Plainfield. An article in yesterday's Star-Ledger has prompted me to go public with my proposal, given the number of similarities to what I proposed and what officials in Somerset County are now reviewing. My proposal is highlighted below in blue:

March 25, 2011

“Hello Ted:

You may recall that a couple weeks ago, at the Gun Summit in Plainfield, I proposed the consolidation of all police departments in Union County under your leadership as Union County’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer. I was pleasantly surprised to open the Star Ledger yesterday to a story that talked about Governor Christie pitching the very same idea in Camden County, and that Joe DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive Director, and representatives from Mercer County were in attendance. I firmly believe that the time for shared service consolidation of all twenty-one police departments and the County Police under one law enforcement umbrella has arrived.

Hence, I believe it to be in the best interest of all twenty-one municipalities in Union County, for a plan to be put in place, or for what I would describe as a Blue Ribbon Panel to be assembled to begin a study that would, hopefully, lead to consolidation. The harsh economic realities of today require all leaders to think creatively and out of the box in order to find the most cost effective and efficient ways to deal with, not only our economic issues but our social issues as well, not least amongst them, drugs, gangs and guns. The gathering threat from an increase in violent crimes in the eastern and western ends of the County, and the rising tide of property taxes that threaten to overwhelm homeowners require bold action and leadership from all of us.

With that said, I am again stepping out on a limb to recommend consolidating all of the police departments in Union County, and creating regional precincts and sub precincts headed by Deputy Commissioners and senior Captains. All precincts would report to a County Police Commissioner who would in turn report to the County Prosecutor. What gains can be achieved from the consolidation of all twenty-two police departments, including the Union County police? I would suggest the following:

1. By appointing one Police Commissioner and four Deputy Commissioners to manage and direct countywide police operations, greater accountability and efficiency at a reduced cost can be achieved

2. The elimination of the rank of Police Chief/Director would result in significant cost savings

3. Reduction in the number of Police Captains and lieutenants would result in significant cost savings

4. The closing of all local police departments would reduce overhead costs

5. The establishment of four regional police precincts headed by Deputy Commissioners and sub-precincts, maybe four, headed by senior Police Captains would streamline operations and reduce costs over the long term

6. The creation of joint municipal courts or regional courts could be a bi-product of police consolidation

7. More effective police deployment and a greater police presence would be the end result

8. Heavier concentration of officer in hot spots to the eastern and western ends of the County would be a likely outcome

9. The replacement of the current 4 on 4 off work schedules with needs based work schedules would result in more officers being available on a daily basis

The above list represents some of the possible outcomes of consolidation, and is offered as a jumping off point for discussion. The need for a capital investment in new regional precincts or to expand existing facilities to create precincts will weigh heavily in the discussion. I am sure that there are a myriad of other issues that will have to be identified and addressed, hence the need for a Blue Ribbon Panel.

It is my hope, that my comment at the Gun Summit of a couple weeks ago, and this email, will be the spark that ignite a broader discussion about how best to provide police services to all of Union County more efficiently and more cost effectively. If these thoughts are already simmering in your mind, I encourage you to bring them to a boiling point.”

It is my hope that the above proposal that was sent to Prosecutor Romankow will spark a serious discussion by municipal officials, law enforcement personnel and citizens across Union County.

Let me close by acknowledging the excellent work done by our Plainfield Police Department in policing the streets of Plainfield with limited resources and manpower. The lack of sufficient resources and the right complement of officers, stemming from budgetary, disciplinary, legal, and other constraints affects our dedicated law enforcement personnel’s ability to deal as effectively as possible with crime in a way that would make all of our citizens feel safe on the streets and in their homes. The reality of crime and the accompanying perception of our city being a place to avoid are challenges that we must collectively work to overcome.

Hence, I am of the view that we must look beyond our borders for long term solutions that will allow for systemic remedies to Plainfield’s most pressing social ills: drugs, gangs, and guns. The consolidation of the twenty-two police departments, including the Union County Police, will result in lower cost to tax payers through greater economies of scale, enhanced neighborhood safety resulting from a greater police presence, better coordination of countywide crime fighting strategies, and the eventual elimination of disparities in police salaries. Police consolidation is a win for law enforcement and a win for the affected communities.

Police consolidation is a shared service whose time has arrived.

Regards,

Adrian

Give Generously to Help the Family of Eduardo Leaty

Plainfield’s Latest Victim of Gun Violence

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the tragic death of Eduardo Leaty in a senseless act of gun violence at the family store on East Sixth Street. Eduardo was the brother of City of Plainfield employee Marilyn Leaty-Nieves, and brother-in-law to one of Plainfield’s bravest, firefighter Samuel Nieves. This latest homicide is Plainfield’s 8th since January of this year and the 13th in the past 12 months.

The death of Mr. Leaty is a sad reminder of the terrible toll that gun violence and other criminal acts have taken in our city. No family should have to experience the loss of a loved one at the hands of another human being. We must, now more than ever, come together using the CGPS approach (see my blog post dated May 18, 2011) to address this problem if we are to save lives and save our city. Politics of division have no place in a city where a hurricane of volcanic proportion has been erupting to consume many innocent lives in its path. We must act cooperatively, collectively, and collaboratively to stem this ever rising tide of violence; if we do not, more Poppy Harlows (the CNN correspondent whose report contained much inaccurate information) will come knocking, and the city’s reputation will continue in a free fall.

Hence, a month or so ago, I provided Mayor Robinson-Briggs with templates on successful crime strategies used in Salinas and San Jose, cities that are comparable in size to Plainfield and that once experienced the level of gang and gun violence that Plainfield is experiencing today. The templates were provided by Pastor Dr. Lamont Thomas through his anti-gun violence initiative. I offered myself as a resource to work with the mayor on the formulation of strategies aimed at eliminating gangs, guns and violence from our city.

In the meantime, the tragic and violent death of Eduardo Leaty has left the family in great need of financial and other assistance. I am asking those of you who are able, to make a financial contribution to help with the funeral arrangements; your contributions can be made to:

Marilyn Leaty-Nieves 632 West Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060

Please be as generous as you can. I know that Marilyn and her entire family would be grateful for your assistance. I take this opportunity to express my deepest feelings of condolence to Marilyn and Samuel Nieves, and to the entire Leaty family.

Regards,

Adrian

The Creator Will Smile on Me

I just got word, a short while ago, that information regarding a debt that I owe to a credit card company has been distributed on cars throughout the City of Plainfield. I was served with papers on Thursday by a local police officer who works through the Sheriff’s office. The papers pertain to a lawsuit that was filed on behalf of the credit card company that seeks to recover the $46,000 that I owe. The papers that were served on me give me 35 days to respond; failure to respond could result in a judgment against me for the debt owed. Those are the facts.

As most of you know, I have been unemployed for almost two years, and like many of you I have been feeling the pain of the very harsh economy that has seen an unemployment rate hovering close to 10%. I am not immune to financial hardships; I am like all of the other people whose financial lives have been turned upside down due to their unemployment status and other special situations. Unlike most of the unemployed, I am also the victim of a very hostile political climate; one that has brought me to my knees and has rendered me BROKE. Over the past two years I have exhausted all of my financial resources, yet through the grace of God I have been able to make ends meet.

With that said, the attempt by those in law enforcement and politics to embarrass me has not and will not succeed. I am not ashamed of my current financial reality, and will not allow my financial reality to prevent me from reaching my goal of transforming Plainfield’s political landscape. Those who will attempt to use my unearned financial hardship, which was borne of political hatred and venom, will be very disappointed. I remain undaunted, undeterred, unbroken, unbowed, and unbent.

The behavior of those who seek to gain from my financial crisis and misfortune will be called into question, weighed in the balance, and found wanting. Those responsible for the dissemination of court papers served on me just this past Thursday will be investigated and held accountable.

I know beyond any doubt that my wife Amelia and our daughters love me, the Creator loves me, and the scores of friends that I have do love me, and so do the people of Plainfield who elected me as one of their trusted servants. This is what keeps me strong, this is what keeps me going and fighting for Plainfield. This is why I am asking all who read this post to let the rest of Plainfield know that we must reject this cruel act and those who are behind it.

On Tuesday June 7^th, vote for Honest, Ethical Leadership for Plainfield, vote for all of the candidates in Column C.

I know, beyond any doubt, that the Creator will smile on me and I will repay every debt that I owe.

Regards,

Adrian