RANDOM THOUGHTS NOV 25

There is very little I can add to the facts about the Council Meeting 11/24/08 that has not been covered by Plainfield Plaintalker and Plainfield Today.

Since there had been legal notice the the budget would be presented for adoption at this meeting, time was permitted for public comments although the adoption has been deferred for a special meeting on Dec. 15 at 7 PM to adopt changes and another special meeting Dec.22 7 PM. I am concerned that Council Burney gave the Council a choice of 6 or 7 PM for the special meeting time. There should be more consideration for the public's ability to attend these meetings rather than the convenience of the Council members. They should not forget that they are by law servants of the citizens.

For those who have expressed the fact that Dec 22 is the first day of Chanukah (an orthodox variation of the English spelling) the meeting is actually set for the second day of the Holiday. Jewish Holy Days begin at sunset the day before and end at the next sunset. I will not go into the story of Chanukah, however it is in most family's a home holiday marked by the lighting of the number of candles for the corresponding number of the day of the holiday. This is traditionally accompanied with a small inexpensive gift for the children increasing in value up to the eighth night. In the Reformed households the candle lighting may be deferred until dinner time. That could be the only inconvenience this meeting's time could cause.

Bill Amirault's presentation of CBAC report was not scheduled and if the time allowed for that report is an indication, this committee's work will receive the same reception as that of the earlier groups.

I wonder if the Administration really expected to receive any bids from non-profits to operate the Dudley House.The legal notice was placed in a Sunday edition of the Courier. How many potential operators read the Courier? How many people can even read the miniature print in the legal notices?

In response to a question about the delay from April to late the fall before the work to bring the building into conforming standards , the City Administrator note that there was a wait for grant money Marc Dasheild still expects to have Dudley House licensed for 2009. Will any operating grant funds be available then?

The meeting was being taped for TV presentation. The bright lights need for the room bothered those seated on the street side of the room.

Today's Courier had an article on the lack of progress in the City/Solaris issues. No surprise. The paper had an excellent editorial about those who fight to reestablish acute hospital care in Plainfield.

Apparently "Trinitas" the Elizabeth based hospital feels that with the absorption of the health Center's OB program ,they should be known as the TRINITAS REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER. No need for a hospital here we enjoy service from Solaris and Trinity.

Looks like Obama is going to be a centralist as he assumes his Presidency. The outlook is good and I am in favor of the emphasis on the PWA programs.